The Ultimate Day Trip From Perth to Mandurah

Start with breakfast by the water — this is Mandurah, after all.

Locals love Wood and Stone Café for a proper sit-down breakfast, while Turquoise Café at the marina is a good pick if you want something a little more indulgent (their breakfast tower has a bit of a following).

Once you’ve had your coffee, take a wander around the marina. It’s an easy place to spend time – boats coming and going, that salty air, and the heart sculpture that nods to Mandurah’s original name, Mandjoogoordap – “meeting place of the heart”.

You don’t really “do” Mandurah properly without getting on the water.

Jump aboard a cruise with Mandurah Cruises and head out through the canals and estuary. The dolphins here aren’t shy – there’s a good chance you’ll spot a few weaving around the boat.

The guides tend to keep things relaxed but informative, pointing out wildlife, local stories and the canal homes along the way. It’s an easy, no-effort way to see a different side of town.

If you’re travelling with kids, the pirate ship is the perfect adventure – same waterways, just with a bit more energy.

After your cruise, stay by the water for lunch – there’s no need to overthink it.

Fish and chips by the foreshore never miss, but there are plenty of marina spots if you feel like something longer and more leisurely. Either way, grab a table outside if you can. Between the boats, seabirds and the odd dolphin sighting, the view does most of the work.

Next stop: the Giants of Mandurah.

Pop into the Mandurah Visitor Centre first – it’s worth it for maps, local tips and a quick look at the stunning Aboriginal mural inside. Then hire a bike or e-scooter from The Bike Kiosk and follow the coastal paths.

Two easy picks if you’re short on time:

• Santi Ikto Giant – sitting high above the ocean at Halls Head, and probably the most photographed of the Giants
• Yaburgurt Cirkelstone Giant – quieter, easily accessible and set among wetlands and birdlife near the estuary

The ride between them is part of the experience – ocean on one side and the estuary on the other.

If you’re not in a rush (and you shouldn’t be), make a stop at Boundary Island Brewery.

It’s right on the estuary, and it’s the kind of place where one drink easily turns into two. Sit outside, watch the birdlife drift across the water and take a breather before the day winds down.

Finish at Blue Bay Beach.

It’s a local favourite for a reason – no fuss, just a good stretch of sand and uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. Bring something simple for dinner or a takeaway coffee and watch the sun drop into the water.

It’s an easy, quiet way to end the day – and usually the moment people start planning their next trip back.