Mandurah Ocean Marina Bridge

Mandurah WA 6210 (Pop 50 000)

Mandurah is a pretty coastal resort on Peel Inlet located 72 km south of Perth. Due to its proximity to the capital and nearby industries, it has developed into a commuter town in recent years. The Murray, Serpentine & Harvey rivers all meet here where historically local Aborigines met to barter, resulting in the town’s name which means ‘trading place’. Watersports, fishing and particularly summer crabbing are popular pursuits. Markets each Sat & Sun. Jazz at Ravenswood (Jan-Mar), Crab Festival (Mar).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Mandurah includes Halls Cottage (1830s), Cooper’s Cottage (1845), Christ Church (1870).  The church cemetery has many early pioneers’ graves including the town founder, Thomas Peel. Barragup Botanical Gardens, Caponi Rd. Community Museum, Pinjarra Rd interesting local history displays. Open Tues-Sun.

Nearby:
Coopers Mill (Cooleenup Island) Murray region’s first flour mill (1843) built of limestone. Access only by water. Yalgorup NP (45 km south) Swan Coastal Plain park whose Aboriginal name means ‘a swamp or lake place’ which is most appropriate as it protects 10 lakes in a chain. Lake Clifton is one of only 3 Australian places where ancient living fossils (thrombolites) survive. The park also features woodlands and swamps. Wineries include Cape Bouvard, Amarillo Vines.

Accommodation:
Mandurah has a couple of motels, 3 hotels, 3 resorts, a guesthouse, holiday cottages/units and over a dozen caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 75 Mandurah Tce. Tel (08) 9550 3999.

Airport:
Perth Airport (PER), 2 George Wiencke Drive, Perth Airport. Tel (08) 9478 8888. (79 km north). 

Hospital:
Peel Health Campus, 110 Lakes Rd, Mandurah. Tel (08) 9531 8000.