Discover Mandurah WA's Coastal Gem
Make room for Mandurah on your Western Australian adventure. Just an hour from Perth, this laid-back coastal city is full of wild encounters, giant surprises, beautiful waterways and fresh local flavours.
Welcome to Mandurah
Just an hour south of Perth, Mandurah is the kind of place you’ll be glad you didn’t drive past.
Surrounded by waterways, wetlands and coastline, this laid-back city has a knack for making you slow down. Wild dolphins cruise through the estuary, giant sculptures hide in the landscape, and fresh Western Australian seafood is best enjoyed with a view of the water.
There’s adventure if you want it, beautiful places to do absolutely nothing, and plenty of friendly locals happy to point you towards their favourite spots.
Come for a day. Stay a little longer. Go with the flow.
Meeting Place of the Heart
A place with a big heart – and plenty of room to breathe.
Mandurah means “meeting place of the heart” in the language of the traditional owners of this land, the Bindjareb people.
Spend a little time here and you’ll understand why the name feels so fitting.
Life revolves around the water. Boats drift through the canals, dolphins make their way through the estuary, pelicans gather along the foreshore and locals meet for coffee, seafood and sunset.
Then there are the things you really don’t expect to find just an hour from Perth: enormous outdoor sculptures hidden in the bush, ancient living structures at Lake Clifton and wetlands alive with birdlife.
Mandurah is relaxed by nature. And that’s exactly how we’d recommend experiencing it.
Why Mandurah?
Mandurah is a place of big skies, beautiful waterways and unexpected discoveries. At its heart is a 134 km² estuary - twice the size of Sydney Harbour - where wild dolphins, fresh seafood and unforgettable adventures are part of everyday life.
It's relaxed, naturally beautiful and just a little bit wild.
Meet Wild Dolphins
Mandurah is one of the best places in Western Australia to see wild bottlenose dolphins.
They live year-round in the Peel-Harvey Estuary and surrounding waterways, so you might spot them cruising alongside a boat, surfacing near the shore or appearing just when you least expect it.
Go Looking for Giants
What do you get when you hide five enormous sculptures across the Mandurah and Peel landscape? A very good excuse to go exploring.
Created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, the Giants of Mandurah are hidden among bushland, wetlands and coastal landscapes. Finding them is part of the adventure – and often takes you somewhere you might not otherwise have discovered.
Taste Mandurah
Mandurah’s waterways have always been a source of food, from fishing and crabbing to the fresh seafood you’ll find on local tables today.
Try local seafood by the water, or make it an experience with a seafood adventure that combines fresh Western Australian produce, Mandurah’s waterways and the stories behind the food. Come hungry – and stay for the view.
Make a day of it
Just an easy drive or train ride from Perth, Mandurah is the perfect day trip. Here’s how to experience some of the best of Mandurah in a single day – with dolphins, Giants, great food and plenty of time by the water.
One Day in Mandurah
1.
Start by the Water
2.
Meet the Dolphins
3.
Lunch on the Foreshore
4.
Walk Among Giants
5.
Explore the Coast & Wetlands
6.
Watch the Sunset
Stay a little longer
Mandurah is easy to visit as a day trip, but staying overnight changes the experience.
There’s time for a leisurely breakfast, another adventure on the water, a long lunch, sunset drinks and a little exploring without constantly checking the clock.
Travelling as a couple? We’ve put together a romantic 2-day stay that combines some of Mandurah’s most memorable experiences – including time on the water, seafood, the Giants and plenty of opportunities to slow down together.
Christmas Lights on the Water
Every summer, Mandurah transforms into a sparkling wonderland as homes around the waterways go head-to-head in an unofficial competition to create the most spectacular Christmas displays. The best way to see it? From the water. It's festive, a little bit magical and very, very Mandurah.
Getting to Mandurah
Easy to reach. Hard to leave.
Mandurah sits just south of Perth on Western Australia’s coast, making it one of the easiest places to add to a WA itinerary.
- Perth to Mandurah: ~1 hour drive
- Mandurah to Bunbury: ~1 hour drive
- Mandurah to Margaret River: ~2 hours
Mandurah is also connected to Perth by direct train, making it possible to experience the city without driving.
Good To Know
Absolutely. Located less than an hour from Perth, Mandurah offers a completely different pace with waterways, beaches, wildlife experiences, and waterfront dining. It’s ideal for a day trip, but many visitors choose to stay longer to explore the Giants trail, estuary, and surrounding nature reserves.
Yes. Mandurah is home to one of Western Australia’s largest resident populations of wild bottlenose dolphins. They kive in the Peel-Harvey Estuary year-round. They can be seen in all seasons in the canals, marina and surrounding waterways.
Sightings are common from dolphin cruises, boat hire, and foreshore areas making Mandurah one of the most reliable places in Western Australia to see wild dolphins.
The Giants of Mandurah are large-scale wooden sculptures created by artist Thomas Dambo as part of an outdoor art trail. His vision is to hide something so big within nature that people must seek it out to find it, encouraging exploration, curiosity, and discovery. The experience invites visitors to get outdoors, explore Mandurah’s natural landscapes and enjoy the connection between art and nature.
Yes. Mandurah is easy to explore without a car, with regular train services connecting Perth and Mandurah. Many attractions, restaurants, accommodation options and waterfront experiences are located close to the city centre and can be reached on foot, by bike or using local transport.
Discover how to make the most of your visit with our Mandurah Day Trip Without a Car itinerary, featuring a full day of dolphins, dining, waterfront walks and local experiences without needing to drive.
Mandurah is a year-round destination with each season offering something different. The Giants of Mandurah can be explored throughout the year, while spring brings colourful wildflowers, pleasant temperatures, and ideal conditions for outdoor adventures. Summer is perfect for beaches, boating, and the world-famous Mandurah Christmas Lights. In autumn, visitors can enjoy warm days, fewer crowds and the annual Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest. Winter offers seasonal events, cosy waterfront dining, and peaceful opportunities to explore the region’s natural beauty.
Come and see for yourself
Mandurah is easy to reach, but you may find it hard to leave. Slow down, follow the water and see where the day takes you – you might just discover your new favourite place in Western Australia.