Your Free Perth Visitor Information Guide

Your Free Perth Visitor Information Guide

Mandurah and Peel

Stretching from the white sands and blue waters of the coast to the pristine wilderness of the forest, Mandurah and the Peel Region is the ultimate aquatic and nature playground where you will discover everything holiday memories are made of, less than an hour from Perth. 

Showcasing stunning beaches, world-class natural beauty, an abundance of wildlife, outdoor adventure, walk and cycle trail plus gourmet wine and dining experiences, Mandurah is set against a backdrop of magnificent beaches and an estuary twice the size of Sydney Harbour. The first people to have inhabited the region were the Bindjareb people of the Noongar Nation, who named the locality Mandjoogoordap, which translates as ‘meeting place of the heart’. 

In 1828, Englishman Thomas Peel established a small settlement at the mouth of the Peel-Harvey Estuary, that was to become Mandurah and until the late 1800s, the quiet fishing village carved an existence from fishing, farming and canneries. In 1846, Western Australia’s first mining operation was established at Yarrabah (near present-day Mundijong), mining lead, silver and zinc. The Jarrahdale timber mill, established in May 1872, became the state’s largest timber operation. In recent times, the timber industry has declined, but the establishment of alumina refineries at Pinjarra and Wagerup, and gold mines at Boddington, have helped the local economy.

The city centre foreshore is home to an abundance of marine life including dolphins, pelicans, shags and black swans. In particular, the blue manna crab  has become synonymous with the area and an annual festival is held in its honour during autumn. Mandurah is easily accessible by train from Perth with a regular fast service taking 48 minutes. Drop into the Mandurah Visitor Centre at 75 Mandurah Terrace, visit visitmandurah.com or call 9550 3999.