Located less than an hour south of Perth, Mandurah is known and adored for many things — from its world-class protected waterways and natural beauty to its rich marine wildlife and laid-back lifestyle. So, it comes as no surprise that the city walked away with the award for Australia’s Top Tourism Town.
It’s been branded as the ultimate outdoor playground built on boating, camping, and fishing for aeons. But more recently, the destination has become synonymous with Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah exhibition. Inspired by a lifelong passion for sustainability and imagination, the internationally acclaimed Danish recycle artist built and installed a series of enormous wooden sculptures to celebrate the extraordinary beauty of our natural world and the importance of protecting it.
The Mandurah Giants stand as vigilant guardians of Mandurah’s environment and its priceless treasures, including internationally significant wetlands.
The free-to-view, interactive outdoor showcase was officially launched in November 2022. The good news is that the Giants are here to stay and are expected to remain for another three years, managed by the City of Mandurah.
You can embark on a journey to discover this top attraction in various ways, whether on your own or through guided tours by e-bike, coach, road train or boat.
Where to start your Giant journey
Swing by the Mandurah Visitor Centre where you can collect the information and coordinates to help you uncover the Giant’s locations. Mandurah Visitor Centre is also the state’s best visitor centre, taking out gold at the 2022 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards, so you’ll be in good hands.
From there, you can choose your own adventure — be it solo, in a group, or with a tour — to discover each of Thomas’ hidden Giants. Look out for the clues along the way which will reveal the location of the final Giant, but don’t tell anyone when you figure it out!
Word to the wise: the best time to visit is during daylight hours between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm.
Giants of Mandurah Tours
From biking and waterside cruises to coaches and the only tourist road train in Australia, there are countless ways to discover Mandurah’s top attraction. If you’d prefer some company and a little help when venturing out on your Giant hunt, there are a range of epic tours to choose from. We’ve done the leg work, so you don’t have to, here’s a round-up of what’s on offer:
The Bike Kiosk — Ride the Giants (3 hours)
Discover the mystical oversized patrons of Mandurah on an enjoyable electric bike ride with knowledgeable guides from The Bike Kiosk. You might even see a dolphin or kangaroo on route to the timber-glad guardians who each have a different tale about the land of the Bindjareb people. The three-hour tour visits the Halls Head and Coodanup Giants and includes lunch.
The Bike Kiosk — Mandurah Island (Giants) Ride (3.5 hours)
In a world-first experience, The Bike Kiosk invites punters to hunt for the Halls Head and Wannanup Giants by e-bikes. You’ll cycle through the untouched ends of greater Mandurah where nature flourishes and behemoths protect the waterways. Rest assured, this three-and-a-half-hour tour also provides lunch.
The Bike Kiosk — The Big Kahuna (4.5 hours)
Glide on two wheels past the three closest Giants (Halls Head, Coodanup, and Wannanup) from the Mandurah City Centre on this adrenaline-pumping half-day e-bike adventure tour. With a total distance of 45 kilometres, if you’re partial to a long ride, this tour has your name on it.
Kaleidoscope Tours — Giants of Mandurah Tour (6 hours)
You’ll tick off all five of the Mandurah Giants on this six-hour, family-friendly tour by Kaleidoscope Tours, so round up the kids for a magical and mystical day out. Bring your own or opt for a ticket including a delicious lunch and drink at the Spill the Beans Café, along the way.
Soulmate Charters — Giants Cruise
Cruise through Mandurah’s waterside wilderness with Soulmate Charters and visit the most renowned Giant, ‘Seba’s Song,’ who faces away from land, contemplating the waters — the only Giant to do so. And the best part, he can only be seen in full by boat. Tours depart at 9:00 am and 10:00 am on Tuesdays and Sundays from the Port Bouvard Marina.
Giants Tour of Mandurah — Big Toot Ride (1.5 hours)
Jump aboard the ‘Big Toot’, Australia’s only tourist road train, to explore the outskirts of Mandurah and two of Thomas Dambo’s Giants (Coodanup and Halls Head). The tour is relatively budget-friendly and involves approximately 1.8 kilometres of walking, so don’t forget your sneakers.
Zion Coach Services — Giants of Mandurah Bus Tour (6 hours)
This six-hour tour explores all five Mandurah Giants (including the Secret Giant) and includes a stopover at Cafe Coast in Wannanup (Tuesdays only) or Thorny Devil Brewery in Lake Clifton (all other days) where you have the option of purchasing lunch.
Ready2Roll Charters — Giants of Mandurah Discovery Tours (4 or 6 hours)
Join Ready2Roll Charters either on their six-hour tour of five Giants or their four-hour tour visiting three. The tour’s lunch menu is available on the day at your own cost.
Pack Your Appetite — Where to Stop for a Bite
If all the adventure has you feeling peckish, there are a bounty of tantalising places to fill those oh-so-familiar hunger pains along the way. Here are some of the best eats and drink joints around the Mandurah Giants.
Giant: Santi Ikto
- Spill the Beans at Seascapes — this cosy café is perfect for breakfast with the family.
- Tods Café — enjoy breakfast, lunch, or a caffeinated brew overlooking the Indian Ocean.
- Nori — expect sashimi, sushi, and bento boxes from this Asian fusion menu.
Giant: Seba’s Song
- Café Coast Waterfront Restaurant — waterside dining paired with a tasty breakfast or lunch.
- La Belle Patisserie & High Tea House — from croissants to crepes, and pastries to baguettes, spoil yourself with the extensive array of French-inspired snacks.
- Friar Tuck’s Irish Bar/Restaurant — warm, welcoming, and quintessentially Irish, this is one of Mandurah’s favourite pubs for a hearty meal washed down with a beverage.
- The Cut Tavern — there’s more than just stunning views when it comes to this place, located by the picturesque Dawesville Channel, The Cut Tavern boasts a fabulous range of lunch and dinner options.
- Falcon Bay Beach Café — this family-run cafe ensures every meal satisfies with locally sourced ingredients, mouth-watering flavours, and portions sure to satiate.
- Miami Bakehouse Falcon — if you need a quick and satisfying bite, Miami Bakehouse is the place to be.
Giant: Yaburgurt Cirkelstone
- Nourishing the Soul Café — expect a delectable array of sandwiches, cakes, scones, quiches, pies, and drinks.
Giant: Little Lui
- Chalk & Bees — from toasties and bagels to acai bowls, this groovy food van specialises in delightful gluten-free food and drinks.
- Isle of Lace — this coffee and food van is a go-to for all things eats and sips.
Secret Giant: Jyttes Hytte
- Thorny Devil Brewery — celebrate the end of your journey with a visit to Thorny Devil Brewery. Be sure to indulge in the brewery’s signature Giants Danish Pilsner, a handcrafted beer made in collaboration with Dambo himself.
With its enchanting Giants, dazzling Christmas lights, and remarkable natural wonders like the Lake Clifton Thrombolites, Mandurah has truly earned its title as Australia’s Top Tourism Town.
This summer, whether you’re looking for serene waterways, unforgettable eco-adventures, or one-of-a-kind experiences like houseboating and electric doughnut-shaped BBQ boats, make the smart choice and discover the magic of Mandurah, where every day feels like an instant holiday.
For more information or to plan your Giant adventure, visit: https://visitmandurah.com/summer-in-mandurah/.
Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah has been initiated and produced by FORM Building a State of Creativity and delivered in collaboration with the City of Mandurah. The project is supported by the State Government through Tourism WA’s Regional Events Program; Lotterywest and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
This article was sponsored by Visit Mandurah. All images supplied.
