What To Do in Mandurah Perth: A Local’s Helpful Guide

If you’re looking for a getaway in Mandurah Western Australia, there are plenty of things to do. From boat hire to art trails or swimming at one of the stunning beaches, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Mandurah has grown from a small seaside town to Western Australia’s largest regional city.

The Bindjareb people, the traditional owners of the land, knew Mandurah by the name of Mandjoogoordap, meaning ‘meeting place of the heart.’

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With its mild climate, an abundance of wildlife, and picturesque waterway settings, it’s no wonder that Mandurah is a popular weekend getaway for locals.

Best 16 Things To Do in Mandurah Western Australia

1. Mandurah Dolphin Tours

Rating: 4.5/5⭐️ over 2,500 reviews

Tour Length ⏰75 mins

Mandurah Cruises offer a dolphin tour through the inland waterways of Mandurah. It’s a lovely way to see the luxurious houses that line the canals, and you’ll hopefully see one or more of the 100 resident bottlenose dolphins that enjoy surfing the wake behind boats.

2. Canal Cruises

If you visit Mandurah in December, take the famous Christmas Lights Tour. Every year residents put on a dazzling display with more than 200 elaborately decorated homes shimmering with millions of Christmas lights. 

Every year the waterways are filled with boats experiencing this festive spectacle.

3. Murray River Tour

This half-day tour takes you through the waterways and the Murray River, the longest permanent river in the Jarrah Forest. Travel comfortably on the twin-level “Dancing Dolphin” catamaran as you explore the fauna and flora. The tour stops at Cooper’s Mill, a restored wind-driven mill on Culeenup Island that is only accessible by boat before a buffet lunch cruising along the Murray River.

4. Boat Hire

Spending time on Mandurah’s waterways is one of our favourite things to do in Mandurah. If you don’t own a boat, like us, you can hire one from Mandurah Boat Hire, which has various vessels that don’t require a skipper’s ticket during the day.

5. Eco BBQ Boats

Rating: 5/5⭐️ over 110 reviews

These Eco BBQ Boats are a lot of fun, too – explore the canals on this circular electric boat with an onboard barbecue. So, bring your food and drinks and enjoy a bbq while floating along the water.

You don’t need experience as the boats are easy to steer.

6. Sunset Cruise

Mandurah Cruises operate a 90-minute sunset cruise aboard their “Dancing Dolphin” vessel.

Travel along Mandurah’s canals to the Peel-Harvey Estuary to the Indian Ocean as the sun sets below the horizon.

7. Kayaking

The waterways are perfect for kayaking, and there are three paddle trails – Mandurah Central Paddle Trail, Peel Inlet Paddle Trail, and Serpentine River Paddle Trail.

You can hire kayaks from Mandurah Boat Hire or Mandurah Boat Charters.

8. Stand-Up Paddle Boarding

Hire a SUP from Mandurah Boat Hire or book a popular SUP group lesson with Star Surf & Skate, owned by local surfer Ian ‘Woody’ Macpherson.

9. Mandurah Boardwalk

Wander along the boardwalk for views of the picturesque estuary, lots of cafes, restaurants, bars, Simmo’s ice creamery, cinema, boat and bike hire, and accommodation.

10. Golf Courses

Mandurah is a haven for golfers with beautiful golf courses in amazing locations.

Mandurah Country Club in Halls Head overlooks Mandurah and the Indian Ocean. The 18-hole grass green championship course challenges golfers of all abilities.

The Cut, Dawesville, was ranked 40th in the latest Australian Golf Digest Top 100 Golf Courses. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, this stunning 18-hole championship course is designed to challenge golf enthusiasts.

Meadow Springs Golf & Country Club provides a bush-like experience with 200-year-old tuart trees lining the fairways.

11. Cultural Tours

Goolamwiin has tours to learn about the Nyungar people. The guides share who they are, where they come from, and their experiences growing up on an Aboriginal reserve.

Mandjoogoordap Dreaming offers Aboriginal Cultural experiences, including walking and bus tours – the perfect way to explore the cultural heritage of the Mandurah region.

12. Mandjar Markets

Markets are held every Sunday along the Eastern Foreshore. Stalls showcase local artisan products and gourmet food with children’s activities and live music.

13. Lake Clifton

Visit Lake Clifton, just south of Mandurah, famous for its Thrombolites, which can be viewed from a wooden boardwalk lookout. These living, breathing rock-like structures are built by micro-organisms and represent one of the earliest life forms.

Visit Lake Clifton in the summer when the water is calm, the skies clear, and the water level is low to see them best.

15. Wine Tours

Rating: 5/5⭐️

Kaleidoscope Tours run a full day winery tour from Mandurah, visiting three wineries. The day starts with morning tea at a scenic spot overlooking the estuary, followed by wine tastings at the vineyards. There’s a four-person minimum per booking for this tour.

16. Breweries

Mandurah is home to some great breweries, and you can explore them on a self-guided craft beer and wine trail. Three Rivers Brewing Co and Boundary Island Brewery are two of our favourite breweries.

Three Rivers Brewing Company is a small, family-owned and run microbrewery that produces award-winning beers made from the finest ingredients and nearly all conforming to the strict German beer purity law – the Reinheitsgebot. 

Boundary Island Brewery, across the road from the Mandurah Quay Resort, overlooks Boundary Island and the waterways. Their craft beer is brewed onsite and they open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

If you’re going to Bunbury, stop at Old Coast Road Brewery. It’s family-friendly with delicious food, great beers, and a large grassed area. There’s even mini-golf at an additional cost.

Brewery Tour

Alternatively, book this brewery tour from Kaleidoscope Tours, then nobody has to be the driver! You’ll visit three breweries and have two beer tasting paddles plus lunch with a drink at the Old Coast Brewery, or Brugen Brewery.

Top 8 Free Things To Do in Mandurah

1. Cycling

Mandurah has several cycle trails with varying difficulty. If you don’t have a bike, you can hire an eBike from the Bike Kiosk at the Visitor Centre.

2. Fishing & Crabbing

A popular thing to do in Mandurah is crabbing and fishing – either off the beach or in the estuary.

Herring, sand whiting, bream, cobbler, tailor, and garfish can be caught in the Mandurah Estuary. Beach fishing may get you some salmon or tailor, while king george whiting can be fished from the Dawesville Cut.

Blue Swimmer Crabs, sometimes known as blue manna crabs, are native to Mandurah. The crabbing season runs from 1st December to 31st August. The best time, though, is January, either early morning or evening, when they are most active.

You don’t need a licence for land-based crabbing, only if you use a motorised boat. Bag limits and minimum size apply – see the Fisheries site for current regulations and guides.

3. Mandurah Beaches

There’s 60 km of coastline between Mandurah and Preston Beach in the south, so I’m sure you’ll find a beach that suits your needs.

Town Beach

Town Beach is close to the marina, with surf life saving patrols during summer, making it ideal for families. Undercover shades on the sand protect from the intense summer sun. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants within walking distance of this beach.

Silver Sands Beach

Separated by a groyne from Town Beach, Silver Sands has a wide stretch of sandy beach and is lovely at any time of the day, but especially at sunset. There is a section where dogs are allowed.

Lido Beach, Dolphin Quay

Lido Beach, also known as Marina South Harbour Beach, is excellent for families, especially with young children. The man-made beach has a huge shelter, plenty of sand, and adjoins Keith Holmes Reserve with playgrounds, BBQs, and all day parking.

Falcon Bay

This picturesque bay in Falcon is popular with the locals and one of the best beaches in Mandurah. Facing north and sheltered from southerly winds, it’s ideal for paddlers. The reef area is excellent for snorkelling at high tide. You could spend the day swimming and relax under the shaded grass area.

Picnic tables, BBQs, a playground, toilets, and shower facilities make it the perfect spot for a day out.

Pyramids Beach, Dawesville

Pyramids Beach is a favourite with surfers, swimmers, and bodyboarders. Port Bouvard Surf Life Saving Club patrols the beach, but be aware of strong currents and rips. You will find plenty of parking, toilets, showers, and shelters here.

Blue Bay, Halls Head

This lovely bay in Halls Head is a great spot for snorkelling, just metres from the shore. It has rock pools to explore when the tide is out and is often quieter than the other beaches. There’s parking, toilet, and shower facilities, but no shade.

Doddis Beach, Halls Head

Protected Doddis Beach is busier than Blue Bay with a café, parking, playgrounds, shade, grass, and BBQs.

Village Beach, Wannanup

Village Beach is a man-made beach and recreational area on the canals at Wannanup. The sheltered, calm waters make it ideal for little kids and stand-up paddle boarding.

The grass area next to the beach has playgrounds, showers, and BBQs – perfect for a day out or a bbq lunch.

4. Surfing & Kite Surfing

There are some great surf spots in Mandurah, but the best are Avalon Point, Tim’s Thicket, and The Pyramids. Star, surf, and skate have surf lessons for all levels.

5. Art Trails

Follow mapped art trails to locate some of Mandurah’s hidden street art and sculptures. Download the Mandurah Art Trails Booklet here.

6. Wildlife Spotting

Mandurah is a haven for wildlife, with many sighted near the city centre foreshore. Stroll along the banks of the estuary to look for dolphins, shags, pelicans, fish, and crabs.

7. Free Walking Tour

This 90-minute free walking tour leaves Mandurah Visitor Centre at 9:15 am and takes you around Mandjar Bay and the Eastern Foreshore. Your guide provides information on the history of Mandurah pioneer settlers and its indigenous cultural history. The tour runs on weekends only and bookings are essential.

8. Mandurah Giants

If you’re a fan of public art and outdoor sculpture, you won’t want to miss the Mandurah Giants by renowned Danish artist Thomas Dambo. These stunning wooden sculptures can be found close to Mandurah, in different locations.

Depicting larger-than-life figures, the Mandurah Giants celebrate the beauty and importance of protecting our natural world. As you explore the sculptures, you’ll be struck by the intricate details and lifelike poses, as well as the sense of reverence and awe they inspire.

Whether you’re a lover of art or simply looking for a unique photo opportunity, the Mandurah Giants are not to be missed.

To visit them as part of a tour, this six-hour excursion takes you to four of the Giants.

Things To Do in Mandurah with Kids

1. Dolphin Quay, Mandurah Ocean Marina

As mentioned, Lido Beach is one of the best beaches in Mandurah for young kids, with calm water, sand, shade, and a pontoon.

Keith Holmes Reserve overlooks Lido Beach with two playgrounds, BBQs, and picnic facilities.

Most of the cafes and restaurants at Dolphin Quay cater for children, including Sharky’s Fish and Chips.

2. Pirate Ship Cruise

Kids and adults alike will enjoy this fun Pirate Ship adventure. The 45-minute cruise explores the beautiful canals as you watch for bottlenose dolphins and enjoy marvelous views with onboard telescopes. You can even dress up with your favorite pirate costume, ring the ship’s bell, and take a turn behind the wheel.

3. King Carnival

25 Leighton Pl, Halls Head

Mandurah’s Amusement Park is free to enter, with tokens required for each ride. You’ll also find an arcade, bumper cars, and mini golf.

4. Amaze Miniature Park

24 Husband Rd, Barragup

Amaze Miniature Park, previously called Abingdon Miniature Village, features 70 miniature buildings with interactive model trains in four acres of beautifully manicured gardens.

Most of the model buildings are replicas of Abingdon, a historic market town in England, along with other parts of the UK, Germany, and France.

Your entrance fee includes access to the 12-hole mini golf course, hedge maze, circular running maze, rose garden, and Lego display. There’s also a shady playground with sand toys.

Stroll through the beautiful gardens with ponds and fountains, then relax under the wisteria-covered picnic area. The heritage 1940s tea house, Tiny Teapot Café, has been recently renovated and serves coffees, snacks, light lunches, and Devonshire teas.

5. Water Bikes

A fun way to explore Mandurah is on a water bike. They are user-friendly and stable, with staff providing a briefing, map, and life jackets. Get up close to the dolphins that live in these waterways. Suitable for children aged seven and up, it’s a great family-friendly thing to do in Mandurah.

See prices here

6. Tourist Fun Train

Kids will love the miniature train run by Mandurah Tourist Fun Train Co. The Mandjar Bay Funtrain (Mini Toot) runs north/south along the Eastern Foreshore, and it is usually found parked directly opposite the children’s play area on the foreshore. The 15-minute trip is suited for young families and small children.

So big kids don’t feel left out, there’s also the Spirit of Mandurah (Big Toot), the only (road-licensed) trackless train in Australia. The trip lasts about 50 minutes, but you can use the train as a hop on hop off service all day.

7. Skate Park, Halls Head

The large concrete Mandurah skate park on the waterfront has four key zones. An advanced competition bowl is at the back, an intermediate transition flow area is in the centre, and a low-level street plaza and half basketball court are on the ground level.

8. Kwillena Gabi

Eastern Foreshore Reserve

Kids will love this round estuary pool, complete with floating pontoons that enclose the pool. The pontoons aren’t netted, allowing wildlife to move through the pool, including the resident dolphins. The pool has a maximum depth of 4.5m, but young children have access to the gentle shallows, and a ramp provides wheelchair access to the water.

The paved area has shade and a small jetty.

Kwillena Gabi (pronounced kwill-en-na gubb-ee) means ‘dolphin waters,’ named by Bindjareb Boodja, Traditional Owners of the land.

9. Flip Out Trampoline Park

3/65 Reserve Dr

This indoor trampoline park is a fun activity for the kids when it’s raining.

Romantic Things To Do in Mandurah

Romantic Aircraft Flight

One of the most romantic things to do in Mandurah for couples is taking a scenic flight with lunch. You’ll travel in style in a luxurious black Range Rover Sport, taking you first to a scenic spot overlooking the canals for morning tea.

You’ll then take a scenic flight over the Peel region in a light aircraft for 30 minutes before a romantic three-course lunch with matching wines at the world-renowned Millbrook Winery.

Top 5 Things To Do in Mandurah When It’s Raining

1. Mandurah Forum

Head to Mandurah Forum for retail therapy or dine at one of the many eateries.

2. Spa

Why not pamper yourself at one of Mandurah’s spas? Choose from massages, facials, and beauty treatments. There are a few in Mandurah, including Baan Thai Massage & Spa, Eco Spa, and Mi Bella Beauty Spa.

3. Mandurah Performing Arts Centre

Mandurah Performing Arts Centre hosts various children’s shows, performances, comedy shows, and theater productions. The glassed foyer areas have sweeping views over Mandjar Bay and the city center. See what’s on here.

4. Mandurah Community Museum

This museum features photographs, objects, and information about Mandurah, including pre-settlement, pioneering, and modern history.

Entry is by gold coin donation.

5. Indoor Rock Climbing

Adults and children can enjoy rock climbing safely while keeping dry.

Day Trips from Mandurah

Serpentine and Jarrahdale

Serpentine is a half-hour drive from Mandurah, making it a perfect choice for a day trip. Visit Serpentine National Park to see Serpentine Falls and hike the trails around this area, including Kitty’s Gorge, one of Perth’s best hikes.

While there, visit Jarrahdale, which is close by. This old timber town also has some great walks and is where Kitty’s Gorge trail takes you. The Jarrahdale Tavern makes a lovely spot for lunch.

Pinjarra and Dwellingup

Pinjarra, located on the banks of the Murray River, has a sad history where British colonists killed between 14 and 80 Noongar people in 1834. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting town to visit – take the Pinjarra Heritage Trail Walk to see some wonderful historic buildings.

Dwellingup is a beautiful timber town set amongst jarrah trees, famous for its historic Hotham Valley Tourist Railway. It’s a popular camping destination with many trails for hiking and mountain biking.

Ferguson Valley

If you’re looking for a day trip from Mandurah that’s packed with stunning scenery, delicious food, and world-class wine, look no further than the Ferguson Valley. Just a short drive from Mandurah, this picturesque region is home to rolling hills, lush forests, and charming country towns.

Take a leisurely drive through the valley, stopping at local producers to sample artisanal cheeses, chocolates, and handmade preserves. For wine lovers, the Ferguson Valley is a must-visit destination, with a range of award-winning wineries offering tastings and cellar door experiences. Relax with a glass of wine and a platter of local produce as you take in the breathtaking views.

If you’re feeling adventurous, take a hike through the beautiful Wellington National Park or try your hand at mountain biking along the Munda Biddi Trail.

For those who don’t have transport or don’t want to drive, this full-day tour by Kaleidoscope Tours all the Ferguson Valley highlights.

Mandurah Accommodation

We stay at Mandurah Quay Resort as it’s good value and in a lovely part of Mandurah, across the road from the Boundary Island Brewery. However, you need a car to visit the foreshore.

Seashells Mandurah and Sebel Mandurah are both very popular, have excellent reviews, and are close to the foreshore and canals.

Mandurah Restaurants

Mandurah offers incredible restaurants with waterfront, alfresco, family-friendly, and romantic dining options.

Some of the most popular and highly rated are:

• Alfresco Restaurant & Café $
• Café Coast $$
• Flic’s Kitchen $$
• Murphy’s Irish Pub $$
• Redmanna Waterfront Restaurant $$$
• Silk Thai Restaurant $$
• Taku Japanese Kitchen $

Mandurah Location

The coastal city of Mandurah, in the Peel region of Western Australia, is about 70 km south of the capital, Perth. The town centre lies on the Mandurah Estuary, formed from the Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary.

How To Get From Perth To Mandurah

By Car

Mandurah is about an hour’s drive south of Perth along the Kwinana Freeway (exit at Mandjoogoordap Drive).

By Train

Trains run from Perth to Mandurah train station, where you can connect with buses into the city. The journey time is around an hour to the train station.

Mandurah Weather

Mandurah has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

The hottest times are January and February, with average highs of 29°C, while the coldest times are July and August, with average lows of 9°C.

May to August are the wettest months in Mandurah.

Best Time to Visit Mandurah

Mandurah is a year-round destination, but summer is the most popular time for beaches and water activities. Our favourite time to visit Mandurah is before Christmas when Mandurah’s canal-lined houses display dazzling lights. We hire a boat and cruise the canals – it’s very festive!

Mandurah School Holidays

Mandurah is especially busy during our holidays; plan ahead with this Western Australia School Holidays guide.

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