Mandurah Island
We watched the sky turn a calming purple hue, reflecting in the calm waters of Peel Inlet. Then the full moon rose triggering an egret to fly across the vista.
Egret flies at sunset
Did you know about the island just south of Mandurah? When they created the Dawesville Channel or affectionately know as the Cut, it turned Halls Head, Falcon, and surrounds into an island.
Being only an hour south of Perth on the freeway, it is a quick trip to get that weekend away.
The ‘Island’ itself is around 14 km in length, Indian Ocean to the west, Peel Inlet to the East, canals in between.
It is truly a water based weekend away. There are so many options for accommodation so you really need to decide whether you want a canal, estuary, or ocean as your view.
Indian Ocean Sunset
Thank God It’s Friday…
Once you have settled in, it is time to scope out which fish and chips you have for dinner because when in Mandurah, there are some traditions to follow. Fish and chips, Indian Ocean sunset and seagulls.
Saturday
Mandurah Island is one of those places that has sunrise and sunset over water, so if you are one for getting up early or not, pop down to the parkland with a coffee or wine and watch one of those magical experiences.
Exploring on foot or bike is such a great option here because of the series of footpaths and bike trails on the edges of the island.
The Halls Head Coastal Trail is a 12 km path with vistas and beach access.
Halls Head Coastal Trail
Other short trails on the estuary side are Nature Trail, Erskine Nature Trail, Samphire Cove Trail.
The best swimming beach in our opinion is the peaceful bay in Falcon. The sand is white and the water protected by the curve in the coastline. Avalon Beach is the pick for surfing.
Moon rises over Peel Inlet
Sunday
Mandurah Island is all about boats, so if you have one, you can potter around the canals at Halls Head or Port Bouvard (the later has an Italian feel). Fishing in the estuary and off the rocks at Dawesville Cut is popular. Depending on the season, crabbing and prawning is an option and is more than a century old tradition. Peel Inlet is a great attraction, so if you don’t have a boat of your own, there are a multitude of boat cruises to pick from.
The other option is to Lotto dream a bit by heading down to Port Bouvard Marina and visualise the boat you would like.
Solution pipe formations on the Seascapes Boulevard beach
Heading home on Sunday afternoon, you might like to pick a route that includes a late lunch somewhere along the Craft Beer and Wine Trail.
Our fave would be Millbrook Winery up in Jarrahdale. The King Road and White Lake breweries are popular on the weekends.
