Explore Mandurah with the Kids – Awesome Family Getaway Ideas
Feel like you need a weekend away to relax, recharge and spend time together as a family?
Then Mandurah has the perfect combination of easy-going holiday charm, with the added advantage of possessing all the facilities and features associated with a lively cosmopolitan city.
Spend a few leisurely days here and explore the many and varied attractions of the Peel region.
Day 1
Mandurah is an easy hour’s drive south of Perth. Take the coastal road for a more scenic view or you can head straight there via the Kwinana Freeway and Forrest Highway.
There are plenty of accommodation options available to meet every family budget, location and facility requirement.
Here are a few to consider.
This is a modern 3.5 star budget complex with one, two bedroom and family sized chalets. The chalets are self-contained providing all linen and are within an easy two minute walk of the vibrant Mandurah foreshore. Each chalet is equipped with free Wi-Fi, safes, hairdryers and ironing facilities. There is a protected swimming beach for the kids to paddle in and a modern playground to keep them entertained.
Want a little privacy and comfort? These one, two and three bedroomed serviced apartments offer a fully equipped kitchen including a full sized fridge, laundry facilities, in-house gym, free Wi-Fi, with secure car parking and heated outdoor swimming pool and spa.
There is even Foxtel to keep the kids entertained. Many rooms offer balcony views of the canals. Housekeeping is included in the cost of the room.
This stunning complex is located on the shores of Comet Bay overlooking the Indian Ocean on one side and Dolphin Quay on the Mandurah Ocean Marina on the other.
Take your tennis rackets and have a hit on the hotels court. Wander down to the beach. Enjoy easy access to day spas, restaurants, bars and great shopping. Dive into the spectacular infinity pool. There are plenty of accommodation options with one, two and three luxury bedroom apartments available. It will feel like a home away from home.
If you really want to have a weekend to remember then this is the place for you! This hotel offers the newest luxury style apartment accommodation in Mandurah. Each suite offers a fully equipped kitchen and laundry.
All balconies are complete with a weber BBQ for outdoor entertaining while you enjoy views across the marina to the ocean or estuary. Your secure car bay is accessed by lift.
Midmorning
Once you have checked into your choice of accommodation, you are free to discover the many wonders awaiting you in Mandurah.
A fantastic way to start and to acquaint yourself with the area is the Tourist Fun Train or Mini Tout.
You have the choice of a 50min or 15min ride along the foreshore and downtown Mandurah.
The Fun Train has 10 stops and once a ticket has been purchased you can simply ride the train from start to finish, or hop on and off all day to take in the various sights.
It’s a great way to get a feel of the city and to discover just some of the attractions that Mandurah has to offer.
If travel by boat is more your style, then you may wish to enjoy a relaxing but visually stunning Dolphin and Scenic Canal Cruise.
This popular hour-long cruise takes you through the inland waterways which is home to almost 100 wild bottlenose dolphins. With so many calling Mandurah home, it is rare not to see them.
It is rare not to see them. You can also enjoy seeing the beautiful waterfront homes, historic sites and various birdlife within the calm waterways.
Alternatively you could take to the seas as a pirate.
The Pirate Ship is a custom built open-air vessel designed for Mandurah’s inland waterways and canal system. The ship comes complete with a chest of dress-up pirate accessories, a steering wheel and telescopes to bring out the inner pirate in your kids.
Lunch
By the time you have been out enjoying the fresh ocean air for a couple of hours you will have worked up a bit of an appetite. Mandurah has long be favoured by fisherman and is renowned for its fishing and crabbing opportunities.
One iconic establishment which has been providing delicious seafood meals to West Australians since 1903, is Cicerello’s. Not to mention there is also Seafood Nation at Dolphin Quay Marina serving up everything from classic fish & chips through to popular dishes like chilli mud crab, BBQ King Prawns & more.
Enjoy a delicious seafood meal here at the beautiful waterfront locations on the Mandurah foreshore. It’s a lovely spot to stop and appreciate how lucky we are to be able to have such a picturesque coastline so close by to visit.
Afternoon
Located with spectacular harbour views, 3 Hearts Café & Ceramics offers you a unique experience to try as a family. The benefits of art are many; it relieves stress, encourages creative thinking, boosts self-esteem and promotes brain connectivity.
The 3 Hearts Café & Ceramics offers you the perfect opportunity to try your hand at some art and at the same time you can indulge in a cup of perfectly brewed coffee, some deliciously decadent sweets and for the health conscious there is raw, gluten free, vegan friendly treats.
Paper Planes Co is another place where the little ones can explore their creative sides with workshops from painting to learning about bees and making bee wax wraps.
Either way these places are a great way to have fun and learn on your weekend away.
Alternatively, if you need the kids to burn off some steam, head to Mandurah Rock Climbing. This indoor centre has rock walls to suit all ages and abilities.
Rock Climbing improves your fitness, balance, core strength and confidence. It’s a great fun family afternoon and the helpful staff will provide encouragement and support to ensure everyone will has success and enjoys their time.
The ability to climb a wall is a great personal challenge as it will test your physical and mental stamina! It’s a great family activity.
Dinner
To round out day one on your seaside getaway, there are a few dinner options to satisfy your every taste!
If you have a hankering for ribs, chips and a big steak, then look no further than the Golden Cloud Spur Restaurant.
The restaurant prides itself on its warm, relaxed, family-friendly environment and generous portions of great-tasting good quality food. It is situated with views of the water and offers a small indoor playground for the kids to entertain the younger aged kids.
The Oceanic Bar & Grill is Mandurah’s premier waterfront tavern overlooking the scenic waters of the Dolphin Quay Marina. Enjoy your meal on the relaxed alfresco decking whilst you take in the sights. The tavern offers a modern Australian menu and is popular spot for visitors and locals.
There are daily specials that ensure you will always find something to satisfy every appetite.
Grill’d is a well-respected restaurant chain that provides high quality burgers catering for all tastes.
The ethos of the company is provide the tastiest healthiest burgers using only the highest quality and premium ingredients from local suppliers.
Enjoy your burger and take in the stunning views of the waterfront.
Want something a little exotic, then try the Silk Thai restaurant. They provide delicious authentic Thai cuisine. The restaurant is located in the heart of the Mandurah foreshore.
Day 2
After a day by the ocean yesterday, why not try for some hands-on adventure a little way inland today. Just twenty minutes from Mandurah is the pretty, historical town of Pinjarra nestled on the banks of the Murray River. Start your day off here with a delicious breakfast.
Breakfast
No doubt the kids will have you up nice and early in the morning, in which case Mataya Eatery is the perfect spot for the early risers – opening at 5:30am on weekdays and 7:30am on weekends.
There are even toys to keep the kids entertained so that you can sit and savour your meal!
Midmorning
The Peel Zoo (Sanctuary Drive, Pinjarra) is located on the Murray River.
This privately funded zoo and wildlife sanctuary aims to be the best boutique zoo in Australia by providing everyone who visits with a unique and personal experience. Their ‘hands on’ program ensures that your visit will be extremely memorable.
Whether that is patting a python, getting up close and personal with a kangaroo or even handling a ferret, this zoo will give kids an experience they won’t forget whilst learning about the fantastic breeding programs the zoo has. There are over 100 species of animals on offer. It’s an afternoon every child will love!
Or what not make your animal experience next level.
Imagine the gentle clip-clop of horses hooves and enjoy a relaxing horse-drawn wagon tour around the historic town of Pinjarra.
Well with Pinjarra Horse & Wagon Tours you will be meandering along tree-lined rural roads as you soak up the informative and friendly commentary about one of Western Australia’s oldest settlements before you take a guided tour of Peel Zoo for an amazing native Australian Animal experience.
Animals not really your thing? What about a ride on an old steam train?
Then the Hotham Valley Railway is for you! Upon departing Dwellingup the pace is leisurely as the steam train rolls along westward, down to Isandra Siding, 14kms away.
Once there, the locomotive will move to the opposite end of the track during the 30 minute stopover and make ready for the return.
On the return journey, you will thrill to the magnificent sights and sounds of a Steam Locomotive hard at work climbing Western Australia’s steepest and most spectacular section of railway, through the Darling Range Escarpment as the train returns you to Dwellingup.
Travel along an amazing portion of steeply graded and tightly curved railway manually carved into the Darling Range, which once so masterfully served the timber industry and the agricultural areas of Dwellingup and beyond. The steam train operates on Sundays only (from May till October).
Lunch
Nestled on the banks of the Murray River is Redcliffe on Murray.
This beautiful venue offers you a relaxed lunch either indoors or outdoors. They often have local live music playing in the picturesque gardens.
The restaurant is surrounded by an expansive lawn area which is a great option for kids to run and play while you can sit and enjoy the surroundings.
Afternoon
Now… are you ready for adventure?
A physical and mental challenge? Then Trees Adventure is the perfect option for you.
This adventure obstacle course is set amongst the pine and jarrah trees of the Nanga Mill Campground and you will need to allow a couple of hours to complete.
Enjoy sailing through the trees on a 100m long flying fox, climb over cargo nets, across rope bridges and wooden obstacles suspended high in the trees that will challenge your fitness, your endurance, and your fear of heights!
There is even an elevated skateboard!! This is a great bonding experience as a family as each person conquers their fears and the course.
There’s also a low height yellow course for kids between four and seven years old, which is only a couple of metres off the ground. Trees Adventure is an extremely popular activity and bookings are best made ahead to ensure availability.
If your kids are not quite up to the Trees challenge, then Adventurescape (Inlet Boulevard, South Yunderup) is the perfect alternative.
A farm-themed playground built alongside a large existing lake. There is a nine-metre high climbing windmill tower with slide, a 35m flying fox, a farm fence style maze, climbing net, and five-way swing. A covered pavilion provides barbeques for lazy lunches and the kids can paddle in the lake. A skate park will be built in the future.
Dinner
Before heading home, enjoy an early dinner at the tranquil and relaxing Ravenswood Hotel (Lloyd Avenue, Ravenswood (just off Pinjarra Rd) also located on the banks of the Murray River.
This iconic hotel has been entertaining people since 1838 and is known for its idyllic setting, live entertainment, great food and friendly atmosphere.
Sit outside under the trees, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and enjoy a delicious meal.
Mandurah & the Peel Region has so much to offer families. With its proximity to Perth, it gives plenty and easy opportunity to visit often and with the number of things to do and see, one visit will not be enough. In summer the beaches offer plenty of opportunity for swimming and snorkeling.
The waters of the area are well known for their abundant sea life. Take your fishing rod and see if you can land a fish. So don’t look to Bali for a family adventure, when you have one right on your back door!!
– by Vanessa Brown
See you in Mandurah & the Peel Region! Get inspired on visitmandurah.com.au.
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