Ladies of Perth, if you are itching to ditch the boys and get away for the weekend with the girl gang, we have just the solution. Take off down south to WA’s second-largest city, Mandurah, to unwind with your besties and relax by nature. With gorgeous coastal scenery, native wildlife, a vibrant arts scene, and delicious food and wine to sample, there is plenty of adventure to be had without straying too far from home.
We have planned the perfect girls getaway itinerary for you to take along to your next hen-do, special birthday or ladies vacation – no boys allowed!
Getting there
Accessible by road or rail, getting to Mandurah from Perth is easy! A leisurely drive down the Kwinana Freeway will get you to Mandurah in just under an hour, and regular trains leave from Perth City around every 15 minutes on weekdays, pulling into Mandurah Station within an hour.
Getting around when you arrive is a breeze with car hire, ride-share options, and chartered tours all available.
Bottomless Brunch at Flics Kitchen
Start your trip with a bang at Flics Kitchen. Every Saturday and Sunday, patrons can indulge in a boozy brunch for just $45 per person, with 1 hour of bottomless Prosecco, G&Ts, Bloody Marys and tap beer to accompany any breakfast dish of your choosing. Flics is well known by locals for their award-winning menu, so let the delightful food and service be the perfect start to your girly vacation.
See here to book your bottomless brunch, or check out their exquisite dining menu.
Check into your accommodation
Mandurah Houseboats
Be the captain of your own ship with Mandurah Houseboats, and explore the estuary at your own leisure. With a fleet of 15 boats there are plenty of cosy water homes to choose from, ranging from petite studios like Miss Bianca (the smallest boat in the fleet) to larger, 2-bedroom boats like Emily Louise, with six comfortable beds and plenty of room to sleep more.
Houseboats can accommodate a maximum of 10 overnight guests and 12 during the day, so you can motor your group from place to place in comfort. Travelling at an easy pace of 5 knots around Mandurah’s estuary, cruise up the Serpentine River to see local heritage sites or moor near one of the waterfront eateries along the Murray for dinner.
With a full kitchen and bathroom on board, you won’t need to leave the boat! Rug up and enjoy a warming drink on the bow as you watch the dolphins play, or enjoy an intimate catch up with friends on the expansive back deck, complete with an on-board hot tub.
Image by Mandurah Houseboats
There is no need to get your boat licence before boarding your vessel at Mandjar Bay. Owner, Alan, and his friendly staff provide a simple 40-60 minute tutorial on how to safely drive before they hand the keys over.
Check out the fleet at Mandurah Houseboats here.
Room at Seashells Mandurah
Seashells Mandurah Luxury Accommodation
Satisfy your longing for the luxurious resorts of Bali at Mandurah’s 4.5-star, seaside hotel, Seashells. Choose from sumptuous 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, or private 1 and 2 bedroom villas with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean from your own balcony. Awake to the serene sounds of the ocean on your doorstep or enjoy a crisp local wine as you watch the sun set behind the water.
A chill in the air won’t keep you from taking a dip in their heated, infinity-edged pool. Overlooking Comet Bay, this is the perfect spot for some Instagramable pictures with your girlfriends. And if that doesn’t tempt you, there’s also free in-house new release movies, plus virtual Pilates classes streamed through the in-room smart TVs.
You can find more about Seashells Mandurah here.
The Sebel Mandurah
Overlooking the picturesque waters of Mandjar Bay, The Sebel Mandurah is a modern 4-star hotel. The perfect base for a girls weekend in Mandurah, you can take your pick from their range of beautifully appointed guest rooms, suites and apartments. Most have their own private balconies offering estuary or Venetian canal views, and the rooms are stylishly decorated with all the amenities you’d need for a comfortable, luxurious stay.
Check availability and book here.
Pamper Yourselves
Eco Spa
Nothing says ‘girls getaway’ like a day at the spa. Just a short stroll from your accommodation, you can find Mandurah’s revitalising, all-natural wellness spa. Focusing on physical and mental rejuvenation, Eco Spa offers a suite of multisensory experiences designed to achieve mental, spiritual and bodily harmony. From beauty treatments like LED light therapy to facials to relaxing massages, all treatments at this award-winning day spa are organic, cruelty-free and 100% Australian. Using green, sustainable and eco-friendly materials, you can rest easy knowing that your restorative treatments at Eco Spa are designed to minimise impacts to the environment. For an indulgent pampering experience, book in one of their Spa Journeys from the treatment menu or consider their Seasonal Raw packages.
Image by Eco Spa
Changing every few months, these treatment packages are inspired by the seasons of WA. With winter peaking its head around the corner, be sure to keep an eye out for a new seasonal treatment!
See here to browse the spa menu.
Enjoy an indulgent lunch on the water
The marina is surrounded by a number of excellent eateries and bars overlooking the calm waters, but what better way to enjoy lunch than on an intimate cruise through the canals.
Eco-BBQ Boats
Go on your own self-guided tour of the marina with an electric BBQ boat. Their warming, charcoal-BBQ centres and comfortable, curved seating are perfectly designed for social, winter-time lunch cruises. Cook up a traditional feast with your own ingredients, toast marshmallows for s’mores, or order a chef-created grazing platter upon booking. For just $50, platters come with everything from cheese to house-made pickles, relishes and condiments. Add a bottle of sparkling wine to your order or BYO drinks. Pull up to the Marina Playground for a beach picnic, or dock at the jetty by Oyster Bar to pick up some shucked treats for the trip.
Being electric, these boats are incredibly quiet, perfect for keeping the conversation flowing and encouraging the curious dolphins in the estuary to approach for a selfie.
All the equipment you will need for your lunchtime cook-up is provided onboard, such as cutlery plates, cups and some cooking utensils. Small boats are available for groups of up to 6 for 1.5 hours and large boats can host up to 10 for 2 hours, though back-to-back bookings and tailored hire times can be arranged. Once again, a Skipper’s Ticket isn’t necessary as the team at Mandurah Cruises will teach you how to manoeuvre your electric vessel in a short 45-minute induction.
Walk off your lunch
Retail Therapy
Mandurah is home to some truly unique boutiques. From fashion to homewares, there are beautiful, artisan pieces to be found across the city. Hop over to Frisky Deer, a café-come-retail boutique, and stock up on aromatic bath soak and delicate crockery, or try on some fabulous winter fashion.
Find local producers and hawkers at the Mandurah Markets, open every day between 9am and 4pm. Browse the pop-up and permanent stalls to find everything from gifts and homewares to delicious foods and gorgeous Australian art. Across the boulevard, enjoy Christmas in July at the all-year-round Christmas shop. Packed to the rafters with Christmas decorations, feel as though you have been transported to the Sugar Plum Palace as you collect adorable new stockings or ornaments for the tree.
Art Trail
Wander the streets of Mandurah in a self-guided art-spotting trail. Discover murals, sculptures and even stained-glass displays, all embodying different aspects of Mandurah’s vibrant culture. Start at Mandurah Visitor Centre in the Black Stump Gallery, featuring WA’s renowned artist, Emma Blyth, as well as other local talents. From there, see attractions like 3D illusion murals, and the brand-new, interactive installation decorating the exterior of the Arts Centre. There will be plenty of Instagramable moments all the way, with interactive sculptures framing the picturesque marina and giant sea-creature statues to marvel at.
Dinner and drinks
Head over to local hotspot, Brewvino Bar, Kitchen and Lounge, for a sophisticated evening of food and wine as you gaze out over the bay. Sample their seasonal menu, or try one of the local craft beers on tap. Beer selections change fortnightly, so you are sure to have something new to try with every visit. Pop in for their Brew and Bites night, held every second Wednesday of the month, where you can taste beers from local breweries with commentary from the brewer themselves.
Not a beer drinker? No worries! Try their UnWined nights, on every final Wednesday of the month, where expert wine makers talk you through a tasting. Feature image credit: Seashells Mandurah.