History:
The original European settler of the Mandurah areas was Thomas Peel who sold land, surveyed roads and imported stock. He named the area Mandurah, derived from the Aboriginal word ‘mandjar’ which means ‘trading place’ or ‘meeting place’.
In 1850, Mandurah was connected to Perth by a coastal road and in 1876 an inland road was completed. The combination in the 1950s of an increase in tourism and the development of Kwinana as a major industrial centre saw Mandurah grow rapidly. Following a significant period of growth and development, including the creation of canals on Mandurah’s waterways Mandurah has become a vibrant, prosperous, connected and sustainable City, the fastest growing regional city in Australia.
General:
The easy accessibility of Mandurah to the State’s main metropolitan area and other regions makes it an ideal spot for long-term holidays as well as weekend getaways. Mandurah is also situated on one of the main thoroughfares to the South West of the state.
Mandurah is situated on the coast and the Peel-Harvey Estuary, an expansive body of water two and a half times the size of Sydney Harbour, which is fed by three main tributaries - the Murray, Serpentine and Harvey Rivers.
This vast area of water, and its close proximity to the Indian Ocean, makes Mandurah ideal for boating, fishing, crabbing, prawning, swimming and surfing. Under warm, summer skies families spend their days either on the estuary or enjoying coastal beaches stretching 51km from Madora to White Hills.
A combination of calm, protected waterways and a relaxed yet cosmopolitan atmosphere serve to make Mandurah an ideal destination for day trips, weekends, longer stays as well as family holidays.
SPORT & LEISURE
Golf
Mandurah is close to several world-class golf courses. Meadow Springs, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, was opened in 1990, and in 2005 a world-class golf course, The Cut, opened in Dawesville. Set overlooking the Indian Ocean, The Cut golf course is available for public use and offers full club facilities and a pro-shop. Also available are golf clubs at Kennedy Bay (designed by Ian Baker-Finch) and Secret Harbour Golf Links (designed by Graham Marsh).
A huge drawcard with international visitors, these courses offer the opportunity to play in stunning settings close to the town centre.
Crabbing
Historically Mandurah has been renowned for crabbing. Thousands of people come to Mandurah to wade in the shallows of the Peel-Harvey Estaury with scoop nets and sturdy shoes, or drop crab nets over the side from dinghies and smaller boats.
The City also hosts the annual ‘Crab Fest’ in early March which attracts a large number of visitors into the region. Festival highlights include a food and wine pavilion, carnival atmosphere, live performances, amusements, market stalls, exhibitions, cooking demonstrations and a youth festival.
Watersports
With a vast array of water-based activities, the possibilities are endless. Cruise boats take visitors around the beautiful canal ways and into the estuary to see the local dolphins.
Alternatively visitors may charter their own boat to go fishing or hire a houseboat for a few nights to explore the Peel-Harvey Estuary. Other activities, such as jet-skiing, parasailing, and surfing, are also available in Mandurah.
Mandurah Ocean Marina
The world class Mandurah Ocean Marina not only provides an opportunity to hire boats and moor your yacht, but its highly regarded Dolphin Quay offers a range of fine dining experiences coupled with thriving markets and self-contained holiday apartments and chalets to 4.5 star resorts.
Dining
Mandurah boasts a fine array of dining experiences, with a number of new restaurants, cafes, bars and coffee houses in the centre of town, on the waterfront, on the boardwalk next to the Mandurah Visitor Centre and at the Marina, Mandurah is vibrant and attractively cosmopolitan location where visitors will be spoilt for choice.
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