The coastal town of Mandurah, located about an hour south of Perth, is perhaps best known for its estuary twice the size of Sydney Harbour and an annual crab festival that draws visitors across the State.
But that’s not all the waterway city has to offer: from exploring the vibrant foreshore, spotting local wildlife and savouring the gourmet produce of the region, the city of Mandurah has so many fun and exciting things to do. So much so, that the city won the title of Australia’s Top Tourist Town in 2023!
In this guide, I share the best things to do in Mandurah and surrounds, perfect for your next day trip or weekend adventure to this coastal city.
Explore the Mandurah Foreshore
Discover the heart of Mandurah by wandering along the Eastern Foreshore and Dolphin Quay. Starting from the Mandurah Visitor Centre, stroll along the grid of boardwalks that crisscross the quay.
Pop into Lily Paris Café for brunch (or grab a tasty macaroon or pastry!), a cold sweet treat from the famous Simmo’s Ice Cream or dine at the popular fish and chip restaurant Cicerello’s (an institution in both Mandurah and the port town of Fremantle).
Christmas lovers, don’t skip a visit to Tis the Season Christmas Emporium, open all year round in Dolphin Quay.
Meander along the long stretch of grass that hugs the shoreline as you make your way towards Mandurah’s Estuary Pool. There’s a great playground for kids, and come Christmas time, you’ll also find one of Mandurah’s impressive Christmas lights on display here (but more on this soon).
Reaching the Kwillena Gabi Pool, take a dip in the calm waters or keep your eye peeled for local residents including black swans, pelicans and maybe even a dolphin. There’s a little alleyway nearby with colourful street art by local artists and a rainbow-checkered brick pathway.
You can find it next to the Little Stiller Distillery, Mandurah’s local distillery serving a unique range of gins at this boutique tavern.
Discover the Giants of Mandurah
In 2022, Mandurah became the new home for five of acclaimed international artist Thomas Dambo’s trolls, an Australian first.
To seek them out, grab a copy of the map with the location of the four unique Giants scattered across Mandurah. To find the fifth and final Giant, you’ll need to solve the puzzle based on clues left at each of the Giants to reveal its secret location.
It’s one of the best things to do in Mandurah, for free!
While each of the Giants are worth seeking out, my personal favourites are Santo Itko, the Halls Head Giant overlooking the ocean, and Jyttes Hytte, the tree-hugging secret location Giant.
I’ll let you in on a little hint: it’s in the vicinity of the Lake Clifton Thrombolites, so you can combine a visit.
Sip on Craft Beers
The Mandurah craft brewing scene has boomed in recent years, so you’re spoilt for choice.
A few of my favourites to check out are:
Thorny Devil Brewery: Mere footsteps from the Lake Clifton Thrombolites you’ll find Thorny Devil Brewery, serving up an interesting range of craft beers and American BBQ-inspired dishes in a relaxed outdoor setting.
Boundary Island Brewing: I’ve visited Boundary Island Brewery twice now and both times I have been SO impressed by the food and drinks here. They serve an awesome range of craft beers, with classics like their award-winning pale ale but also an interesting tropical Pina Colada beer. Make sure to try the garlic bread pizza (and add the optional cheese, trust me!)
Wedgetail Brewing: this craft micro-brewery has a new taproom in the seaside suburb of Falcon, a 10-minute drive south of Mandurah. Feel like a local as you sip on their range of beers (best sampled via a tasting paddle) and munch on their famous pizzas.
Indulge in a Seafood Cruise
Indulge in fresh seafood and hop aboard Mandurah Cruise’s premium seafood lunch cruise.
Sample the crabs, lobsters and crayfish that Mandurah is famous for as you cruise along the Mandurah coastline, keeping an eye out for playful dolphins and maybe even a canalside Giant.
Complimentary wines from the Margaret River wine region are served alongside the delicious 7-course meal.
More information and booking details here.
For a more relaxed lunchtime cruise experience, I had a blast taking my Mum out on the water on the Murray River Lunch Cruise. Enjoy a gourmet buffet lunch which includes fresh prawns (depending on season) while learning and spotting local wildlife, flora and dolphins with the help of a friendly guide. There’s a chance to stretch your legs on a remote island which houses a historic flour mill that you’ll learn more about on the tour.
Watch a short video of my experience here.
Relax in Tropical Paradise at Bali@Avalon
If you’re in need of some R&R or just want to feel like you’re on a tropical holiday (without stepping foot onto a plane!), I’ll let you in on a secret. Just 10 minutes south of Mandurah, in the seaside suburb of Falcon, there’s a B&B that will leave you truly feeling like you’ve been transported to a Balinese resort.
Welcome to Bali@Avalon, a luxurious adults-only Balinese-inspired retreat. Run by the friendly owners Ray & Bob and their adorable sausage dogs Milly and Molly, the B&B features two high-end villas with facilities including a spa, pool and sauna.
It’s perfect for a getaway with another couple, or if you book for a stay for just yourselves in one villa, you’ll be the only guests.
It’s the perfect place to unwind after a busy few days exploring the delights of Mandurah. Just a heads up: once you’ve stepped into the tropical paradise at Bali@Avalon, you might not want to leave!
Highlights include the tropical frangipani and palm-filled garden including a zen meditation corner, huge comfy four-poster bed and the tasty home-cooked breakfast served poolside in the morning.
This one-of-a-kind B&B gets booked quite far in advance by eager guests, so plan ahead if you want to snag a weekend booking.
Sail Away on a Pirate Cruise
For a more relaxed cruising option, don your sea legs and become a pirate for an hour. The Mandurah Pirate Cruise is the only one of its kind in Western Australia and is one of the best things to do in Mandurah for families.
Cruise through the canals, with the opportunity to steer the pirate wheel, ring the bell or sit back and enjoy the scenery while keeping an eye out for wild dolphins. Costumes are optional, but encouraged!
Tag Along on the Tourist Train
Another great option for those with young families. Jump aboard the bright green tourist fun train for a ride around the key sights of Mandurah.
The Big Toot traverses across the quay, with 10 hop-on hop-off stops, while the smaller Mini Toot chugs along the Eastern Foreshore.
Go Dolphin Spotting
It wouldn’t be a visit to Mandurah without spotting at least one of the many local dolphins that inhabit the estuaries.
To try your luck at spotting them from the shore, head to this spot near the Dolphin Quay entrance, or this spot in Dawesville (10 minutes south of Mandurah).
To increase your chances of spotting them, join the daily 1-hour scenic Dolphin Cruise, which includes a dolphin sighting guarantee – cruise as many times as you like until you see them!
Or, combine two attractions in one with this Dolphins and Giants sightseeing cruise! You’ll cruise out of the quay and along the coast to the town of Wannanup, spotting wild dolphins and birdlife along the way. When you reach Wannanup, you’ll be able to admire the Giant Seba’s Song sitting on the water’s edge by your prime floating position – it’s only fully visible by boat!
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Start Your Day at the Local Markets
Make a beeline to the community hub at Peel Produce Markets on Saturday morning, where you’ll join the locals browsing the vibrant artisan markets, fresh produce and food vans by the waters’ edge at the scenic Dawesville Foreshore Reserve.
With stalls manned by friendly locals selling plants, health foods and handmade art & crafts, you’ll also find food vans serving yummy eats from Indonesian to dumplings to donuts. Check out the local goods on offer whilst sipping on coffee or a cold-pressed juice whilst listening to live music. There’s even spirit tastings from a local distillery, if you are so inclined!
The Peel Produce Markets are held weekly from 8 am – 12 pm.
Pack a Picnic and Visit a Winery Estate
Did you know the Peel region is home to a winery? Peel Estate is located in Karnup, 20 minutes north of Mandurah city.
The estate has a sprawling lawn, with multiple shady spots under tall gum trees and even a few picnic tables and BBQs – perfect for a picnic lunch accompanied by a bottle of wine.
They also host regular markets and other events such as concerts. Check out their website for the latest calendar of events.
Marvel at the Christmas Lights
When it comes to Christmas Lights, the city of Mandurah certainly knows how to put on a show!
Come December, the waterways of Mandurah light up with a dazzling array of Christmas lights as the houses along the canals adorn their homes with dazzling displays.
You can join a cruise to see them in all their glory, but make sure to book your tickets in advance – they sell out weeks in advance!
Back on land, stroll along the Eastern Foreshore in December to admire the impressive Christmas Lights on display here.
Explore Mandurah by eBike
There’s a lot of land and coastline to cover when exploring Mandurah, so why not do it in style by hiring an eBike or eScooter from the Bike Kiosk.
Conveniently located next to the Mandurah Visitors Centre, you can rent your wheels of choice for a few hours for a self-guided exploration or join one of the guided tours on offer.
We rented scooters and travelled along the coastline to visit Santi Ikto, the Halls Head Giant. It’s a fun and scenic way to see more of Mandurah.
Cruise the Canals on an Eco BBQ Boat
I never imagined that I’d be cruising through Venetian Canals in a boat whilst my barbeque lunch sizzled on a grill in front of me.
Let me introduce you to the best invention I’ve seen in a long time: eco BBQ boats.
Seating up to 6 or 10 people, depending on your chosen vessel, the donut-shaped eco-boats feature a quiet electric motor that you self-drive through Dolphin Quay and the Venetian Canals of Mandurah
We elected for the premium option with food and drinks provided, so all we had to do was show up, get a quick lesson on driving the boat (don’t worry, it’s super simple) and off we went!
The highlight was tucking down on lamb chops, sausages and salad whilst a dolphin swan underneath us – an experience I won’t forget!
Watch a video of our experience here.
Admire the World’s Oldest Living Organisms at Lake Clifton
Lake Clifton is one of the five sites in Western Australia where thrombolites are found, and the closest to Perth.
These rounded rock-shaped living organisms are estimated to be over 2,000 years old. A long boardwalk has been built to view these delicate organisms and protect them from damage.
Pop into Thorny Devil Brewery after your visit for lunch or a tasting paddle.
Paddle Along Mandurah’s Waterways in an Eco Kayak
Mandurah is well known for its diverse and numerous waterways, from ocean to estuaries and winding rivers. For an interesting and informative way to discover the latter, join a Salt and Bush Eco Kayak tour.
You’ll paddle along the Murray or Serpentine River in purpose-built eco kayaks, discovering and learning about the local wildlife and fauna that inhabit the region from your guide. The custom-built kayaks are propelled along by pedal power – so sit back, relax, and gently paddle your way upstream on this unique tour.
Learn more about the Salt and Bush tours here. Please note the team are currently on hiatus for 2025, with tours returning in 2026. Watch this space!
Bonus: Have a Beach Hopping Day
With over 50 km of coastline in Mandurah, there’s plenty of room for everyone to relax at the endless stretches of white sand beaches.
Head to the popular Town Beach or the protected man-made swimming area at Lido Beach, mere minutes from the hub of restaurants and cafes in Dolphin Quay.
Head to the neighbouring suburbs where you’ll feel like a local at Halls Head Beach or go for a morning stroll along the long stretch of sand at Falcon Beach.
Where to Stay in Mandurah
Despite being a short one-hour drive from Perth, if time permits, spend a night or two exploring all these incredible attractions in Mandurah.
Here are a couple of other places I’d recommend staying in Mandurah.
- Seashells Mandurah: Seashells is a great option for families, as besides from hotel rooms, they also have serviced apartments. It’s a great location overlooking Town Beach, and there’s even an infinity pool overlooking the water’s edge!
- The Sebel Mandurah: if you want to be in the heart of the action, mere footsteps from the restaurants and bars in Dolphin Quay, this is the spot. With large rooms and balconies, the rooms have views of the Estuary or overlook the hotel pool.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Mandurah
That wraps up this locals guide to Mandurah. Whether it’s a day trip from Perth or a weekend adventure, you’ll find no shortage of fun and unique activities to do in Mandurah.
Happy adventuring, and check out my other Perth guides for more ideas of things to do in the region.
Perth Guides:
- Ultimate Perth Itinerary: Fun 3, 5 and 7 Day Itineraries
- Perth to the Pinnacles: How to Plan the Ultimate Day Trip
- 25 Top Things To Do on Rottnest Island
- Rottnest Island Day Trip: Perfect One Day Itinerary
- Best Places to Stay in Perth – Picked by a Local
- Autumn in Perth: Local’s Guide to the Must-See Spots
- 25 Fun Ideas for the Best Day Trips from Perth
Western Australia Road Trip Guides:
- The Ultimate Western Australia Road Trip Guide – with Suggested Itineraries & Maps!
- 7 Must-See Stops on a Perth to Margaret River Road Trip
- How to Easily Plan a Perth to Esperance Road Trip
- The Ultimate Guide to Camping in WA: How to Snag the Best Spots Before They’re Gone
- An Epic Perth to Kalbarri Road Trip Itinerary
- Ultimate Perth to Exmouth Road Trip Itinerary
If you found this free guide useful, you’ll love my new Western Australia Road Trip & Travel Guide eBook! It’s jam-packed with over 90 pages of useful destination guides, essential tips and custom day-by-day itineraries to make planning your Western Australia adventures a breeze. Check it out here.
