Mandurah and Peel

<p>A magical and whimsical world of forest creatures awaits – but not as you know it. Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah (Mandjoogoordap), a free world-class outdoor installation by internationally acclaimed Danish artist Thomas Dambo, lands in the Mandurah (Mandjoogoordap) and Peel region of Western Australia in late 2022.</p>

Mandurah Cruises is a family owned tour operator on Mandurah's Peel-Harvey Estuary, under an hour south of Perth. Its cruises are hosted by locals who know these waterways, with options across a range of budgets.<br/><br/>The Dolphin Cruise and Views runs an hour and fifteen minutes through the estuary and canals, home to around 90 wild bottlenose dolphins. Every ticket carries the Dolphin Guarantee: dolphins are wild, so if none are sighted, guests are welcome back at no charge. The Giant and Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise runs two and a half hours with a marine biologist aboard, and has the same Dolphin Guarantee.<br/><br/>The Murray River Lunch Cruise is a half-day journey down the state's most history-rich river, with a buffet lunch and a walking tour at heritage-listed Cooper's Mill.<br/><br/>Seafood Experiences bring the local catch to the table, from the eight-course Wild Seafood Experience with a private chef, to the Lobster Catch and Cook Cruise and the Mandurah Lobster Lunch.<br/><br/>Through the warmer months the fleet cruises into the evening for the Sunset and Seafood Cruise, the Sundowner Cruise with live music, and the weekly Floating Bar Cruise.<br/><br/>At Christmas the canals light up for Western Australia's largest Christmas lights display. Don't wait to book! These book out early.<br/><br/>Mandurah Cruises accommodates accessibility requirements, with several tours operating on wheelchair accessible vessels.

History, culture and nature can all be found in equal measure in Pinjarra, one of the earliest settlements in Western Australia. Cradled by the Murray River, Pinjarra offers an idyllic escape for relaxation and reconnection with family and friends. <br/><br/>Located just one hour south of Perth, and only 20 minutes south-east of Mandurah, Pinjarra is an easy destination to explore.<br/><br/>Pinjarra is the ancestral home of the Bindjareb people of the Noongar Nation. The town was, and always will be, a place of cultural significance for Noongar people, embodying their heritage and deep connection to the land. <br/><br/>The town's characterful streets reflect its colonial history dating back to 1834, with the award-winning Edenvale Heritage Precinct a highlight. Here, you can browse the Roger May Machinery Museum, Murray Arts and Crafts, Art Gallery and Heritage Rose Garden. Follow the Pinjarra Heritage Walk Trail to uncover stories from the past. <br/><br/>The recently reimagined Exchange Hotel Pinjarra brings a bold new energy, melding modern hospitality with the town's rich past, while overlooking the Murray River and Cantwell Park. Browse boutiques and antique stores, discover local art, enjoy relaxed cafés and experience the warm country-town atmosphere.<br/><br/>Enjoy an exhilarating day at the iconic Pinjarra Race Club, or make family memories with a hands-on wildlife experience at Ranger Red's Zoo & Conservation Park. For thrill seekers, take the plunge with a skydiving adventure, while golf enthusiasts can spend the day teeing off beneath towering gums at Pinjarra Golf Club.<br/><br/>The Murray River remains the centrepiece of the Pinjarra experience. Wander the picturesque river foreshore, enjoy a picnic beneath shady trees, take a scenic river cruise or explore further afield by houseboat from nearby Ravenswood.<br/><br/>Throughout the year, Pinjarra comes alive with riverside concerts, community celebrations, markets and festivals that bring locals and visitors together. Be sure to visit in June for the much-loved Pinjarra Festival, one of the region's signature events.<br/><br/>With a range of accommodation options including caravan parks, motels and chalets, Pinjarra is the perfect base for exploring the Murray Region and experiencing the timeless appeal of life on the river.

<p>Embrace the spirit of adventure in the picturesque town of Dwellingup. Lace up your hiking boots and follow the bushwalking trails, grab your helmet and hit the mountain bike tracks, or launch your canoe into the mighty Murray River. As evening falls, the pristine jarrah forests are the perfect backdrop to pitch a tent beneath a canopy of stars.</p>

Framed by towering jarrah forest and the winding Murray River, Lane Poole Reserve is one of Western Australia's most loved nature-based destinations. Spanning more than 50,000 hectares, this stunning landscape sits just 90 minutes south-east of Perth or 40 minutes from Mandurah, close to the adventure town of Dwellingup.<br/><br/>Camping, trails and exploring are at the heart of the Lane Poole experience. Scenic campgrounds are scattered throughout the reserve, accessible by two-wheel-drive vehicles, and provide the perfect base for adventurers. Well-equipped day-use areas make the reserve equally inviting for short visits.<br/><br/>Lane Poole is home to the Dwellingup Adventure Trails network, offering mountain biking, hiking and paddle trails for all abilities. Visitors can explore beginner-friendly tracks, take on challenging technical rides, or enjoy mid-distance hikes. Treetops Adventure adds another layer of excitement, with high rope courses and zip lines weaving through the forest canopy.<br/><br/>The winding Murray River provides further opportunities to swim, fish and paddle, with calm pools in spring and summer and faster-flowing sections in winter for experienced paddlers. Seasonal wildflowers, abundant wildlife including the noisy Baudin's, Carnaby's and Forest Red-tailed Black cockatoos above, and iconic features such as the Dwaarlindjirraap Bridge complete the experience, making Lane Poole Reserve a memorable destination year-round.<br/><br/>Visitors can return to nearby Dwellingup to enjoy local cafés, shops and attractions, rounding out the perfect forest escape.