Jason Hutchen,
Owner & Chef,
Redmanna Waterfront
Restaurant
Eighteen years ago my wife and I were living in Sydney. My in-laws lived in Bunbury and on one particular visit we stopped in at Mandurah for the very first time. From that first instance I was hooked. All I could think was, ‘How good is this place?’ We made the decision to relocate to Mandurah and, despite a one year stint back in Sydney soon after, we quickly came to realise Mandurah was home.
We raised our family here and our three daughters have also made their lives, careers and homes in the area. One daughter recently commented after an overseas trip to some of the most amazing places in Europe that Mandurah still beats them all.
I started Redmanna Waterfront Restaurant 14 years ago and I’m so grateful it’s still such a major part of the local dining scene and Mandurah’s most awarded restaurant. Like any successful venture, there is a combination of things that have contributed but the standouts to me are the fresh, local, world-class produce we use, and the incredible, uninterrupted views from the restaurant which I still believe are the best in Mandurah.
I’ve really seen Mandurah boom in the 18 years I’ve lived here and it might sound like a cliché but we really do have everything to offer visitors. The water is the most obvious whether it be cruising the canals, fishing out in the ocean or having fun on a jet ski just to name a few examples. We also have world class golf courses, Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, a large cinema, great accommodation options, festivals and of course, a very good bar and dining scene.
Speaking to people who are visiting us for the very first time, many say they are sorry they only booked to stay one night. Seafood is such an integral part of Mandurah’s identity and it’s drawing more and more visitors, particularly from Asian countries. Add in all the opportunities for waterfront dining with dolphins and birds as your background view and it’s a perfect combination.
We’ve recently branched out with a more casual bar and dining option, The Bridge Garden Bar on the foreshore. From time to time the end of Mandurah Terrace is closed and The Bridge and all the other bars and restaurants in the area work together to provide a great festival-like experience where people are welcome to wander in and out of the different venues. It’s been really popular and I think sums up what Mandurah is all about at the moment; fine, fresh food, on the water in a casual, friendly atmosphere.
JASON’S TOP THREE SUGGESTIONS FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS
- Go on a cruise. Mandurah Cruises or Pirate Ship Mandurah will give you a birds’ eye view of the waterways.
- Check out what’s happening on the foreshore. There’s always something from markets to concerts and festivals and even ice skating in the winter.
- Eat, drink and be merry. Sample our great local bar and restaurant scene with everything from cocktails to seafood, modern Australian, Thai, tapas and more.
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