The Australian Bucket List

Western Australia

MandurahThe perfect base from which to explore the Mandurah and Peel region - WA's largest regional city is known for it's gorgeous waterways and relaxed vibe. Go fishing, kayaking, jet-skiing or simply chill by the beach and dine at one of the many celebrated restaurants in town.

For those who love being on, in or near the water, Mandurah is a dream destination just 50 minutes south of Perth. There, you'll find some of Australia's most spectacular waterways, including the Peel-Harvey estuary, which is twice the size of Sydney Harbour and blessed with abundant wildlife, pristine beaches, beautiful blue-green waters and a buzzing foreshore area. Being less than an hour's ride from Perth by car or train, it's little wonder this water-side playground is one of the capital's most popular day trips. You can experience the locals' favourite pastimes by hiring a boat, houseboat, kayak, canoe or jet-ski, or joining one of the many cruises to explore 130 square kilometres of beautiful waterways. It's not uncommon to encounter some of Mandurah's other waterway residents too, including more than 130 different species of birds and one of Australia's healthiest populations of wild dolphins. An abundance of sea life also makes the waterways a great place to fish. Go prawning on the rivers in early summer. Cast a line into the estuary or Peel Inlet to chase herring, sand whiting, bream and tailor. Go crabbing in the shallows to scoop the famous blue swimmer crab. Or join a deep sea fishing charter. Off the water, you'll find four wheel drive adventures on the sands of Whitehills Beach or Tim's Thicket Beach. Located just 15 minutes south of Mandurah, these are the closest beaches south of Perth where it's legal to take your four wheel drive onto the beach. If you have young children, there are many other ways to fill a day with fun, including water parks, a fun fair, adventure playground and mini train, while history buffs will enjoy the free foreshore heritage walking tour or Community Museum. As Western Australia's largest regional city, Mandurah makes the ideal overnight base, with many gourmet restaurants and cafes overlooking waterfront boardwalks, museums, theatres, galleries and seasonal events - including the annual Crab Fest in March. You'll find plenty of accommodation options. Take your pick from four-star resorts and holiday houses overlooking the estuary, or bed and breakfasts and caravan parks.

Gallery

Things to do

Follow the Craft Beer and Wine Trail

Only an hours drive from Perth, the Peel Region offers everything from beautiful coastlines to jarrah forests. And when it comes to food and wine, there is truly something for everyone including handmade craft beers, award-winning wines and food to feed a hungry family or the most discerning foodie. The Peel Region is Western Australia’s most diverse region and offers some amazing experiences only a short drive from Perth. Blessed with internationally-recognised natural attractions, such as the Yalgorup National Park and the world-famous thrombolite formations, it also fuses cosmopolitan living with historic riches, rural lifestyles, farming enterprises and a tapestry of local arts, culture, festivals and events. Known as Perth’s natural adventure playground, visitors can experience a range of activities along the coast or in the bush. Zip along the estuary or take to the open ocean on a jet ski, go fishing, board a dolphin cruise, tee-off on world-class golf courses, go mountain biking or hiking through jarrah forests, try treetop climbing or get your taste buds excited with locally-made craft beer, wines and a huge range of dining options. Whether you have a day or a week, visit the Peel Region and choose your adventure!

Head out on a fishing charter

The family-owned Blue Lighting Charters will take you to Western Australia's best fishing and eco tourism destinations. They provide live aboard fishing and Eco Adventure charters in some of the most remote destinations off the Western Australian Coast including the Montebello Islands and Abrolhos Islands. Blue Lightning Fishing Charters offer charter options to meet all needs!

Visit the Lake Clifton Thrombolites

Lake Clifton in the Yalgorup National Park, south of Mandurah is well known for its special rock-like formations that provide a unique look at what life was like at the dawn of time. They are the largest Thrombolite reef in the southern hemisphere. These amazing formations are called thrombolites, and like the famous stromatolites at Shark Bay, they are built by micro-organisms too small for the human eye to see. It’s one of the few places in the state where living thrombolites survive. These peculiar structures live on the eastern edge of Lake Clifton and are most easily seen in March and April. There’s an observation walkway that allows you to get up close to the thrombolites. Microbial mounds, which are the remains of thrombolites, can be seen at nearby Lake Preston. Yalgorup National Park is about half an hour’s drive south of Mandurah. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au

Mandurah Central Paddle Trail

Explore Mandurah's spectacular and protected waterways on a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard. Float lazily down the calm Mandurah Estuary, paddle past impressive multi-million dollar mansions and explore the impressive birdlife around Mandurah's extensive wetlands system. Whether you are a novice or experienced paddler you will love this easy to paddle trail. Dolphins are regularly spotted in the area, so do not be surprised if they suddenly pop up right next to you to join you on your water adventure. You can hire kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards from the centrally located hire outlets in the heart of Mandurah if you do not have your own equipment.

Explore Yalgorup National Park

Enjoy bushwalking trails, birdwatching and camping at Yalgorup National Park, which is a 30-minutes drive south of Mandurah. The park occupies a narrow coastal strip and is home to 10 lakes that run in a chain. The name Yalgorup is derived from Nyoongar Aboriginal words meaning "place of swamp or lake". Lake Clifton and Lake Preston are the two main water ways which harbour a large variety of bird life. Bushwalking around these lakes you're likely to see Black Swans, Parrots, Kingfishers and several varieties of Dotterel. Other animals including Kangaroos, Wallabies and Emus are also common, while the vegetation is a mix of Tuart Woodlands, Paperbark Swamps and Eucalypts. Explore special rock-like formations known as thrombolites. These formations are built by micro-organisms not visible to the human eye. It's one of the few places in the State where living thrombolites survive and they provide a unique look at what life was like at the dawn of time. They are visible at the edge of Lake Clifton in March and April. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au

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