© Rod Quin
With the recent opening of a new railway line, Mandurah, 74 km south of Perth, Western Australia, is now more accessible to overseas and interstate visitors.
Little more than a tiny fishing village thirty years ago, Mandurah is now one of Australia’s fastest growing towns, with a population of over 60,000. Fortunately, Mandurah has avoided many of the mistakes of other coastal developments where garish high rises overshadow crowded beaches. Development in Mandurah is low rise, generally tasteful and respectful of the natural environment.
Bounded by 50 km of Indian Ocean coastline to the west and the 136 square km Peel-Harvey Estuary to the east, Mandurah has an abundance of water to explore and enjoy. Its uncrowded beaches consist of fine golden-white sand and offer excellent opportunities for swimming, surfing, sailing, diving, windsurfing or just lazing about.
The estuary is home to over 130 species of birds, bottlenose dolphins and a rich variety of marine life. It is fed by two navigable rivers, which allow water-borne explorations into the hinterland, and features a network of canals. A range of well-designed walking trails and boardwalks are available to guide visitors through the shallows of the estuary wetlands and help them learn about local plant, marine and bird life.
A visit to Mandurah should begin with a guided cruise through the waterways where smiling dolphins will cavort playfully alongside your boat. Longer term visitors could then hire their own fully equipped boat, explore less visited parts of the estuary and join locals in their semi-devotional pastimes of fishing and crabbing.
Locally caught seafood is widely available and is best enjoyed waterside on the boardwalk of the new Mandurah Marina, preferably at sunset.
There are a number of wineries nearby where the wares can be sampled and in winter visitors can head inland to the nearby Darling Scarp for white water rafting.
Accommodation options in Mandurah include backpackers, hotels, motels, holiday units, guesthouses, apartments, bed and breakfasts, and even houseboats. For information and assistance contact the Mandurah Visitor Centre, tel 08 9550 3999.