Happy TravellerWelcome to Mandurah, a coastal city in Western Australia that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and modern amenities. Located just 72 kilometers south of Perth, Mandurah is the second most populous city in the state with a population of over 107,000 people. The city’s name is derived from the Noongar word mandjar, meaning meeting place or trading place, and it has been a popular destination for retirees, boating enthusiasts, and tourists alike. In this article, we’ll explore the geography, climate, history, and places of cultural heritage significance of Mandurah, as well as its economy and tourism industry.
Geography:
Mandurah is situated on the Mandurah Estuary, which is an outlet for the Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary. The city has grown from isolated holiday communities along the shores of the Peel-Harvey Estuary to a major regional city in just over a decade. The city lies in and around this freshwater system which in turn feeds into the Indian Ocean. Mandurah also has a number of suburbs built around artificially created canal systems that extend from the Peel Inlet, such as Halls Head, Dudley Park, and Wannanup. The area has infertile soils due to the dunes being rather sandy, having poor water retention qualities. Limestone outcrops are found to the north of the city especially along the Mandurah railway line. Mandurah is the closest city to Yalgorup National Park which is home to modern thrombolites as well as an array of flora and fauna.
Climate:
Mandurah has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild wet winters. During summer (December to February), the average maximum temperature is 27 °C (80 °F) with an average minimum temperature of 19 °C (66 °F). In winter (June to August), the average maximum temperature is 18 °C (64 °F) with an average minimum temperature of 9 °C (48 °F). Mandurah’s proximity to the ocean moderates diurnal temperatures somewhat, with temperatures a few kilometers inland often 4 or 5 degrees warmer during summer days (or cooler during winter nights). Mandurah also receives a moderate though highly seasonal rainfall of about 850 mm a year, however recent trends have seen this once reliable rainfall drop significantly. In addition, most of the winter rains are usually accompanied by severe winds and storms capable of causing widespread damage, making Mandurah one of the windiest cities in Australia.
History:
The Noongar (or Bibbulmun) people, who inhabited the southwest of Western Australia, named the area Mandjar (meeting place), which became the present-day name Mandurah. In December 1829, Thomas Peel arrived in Western Australia from the United Kingdom with workmen, equipment, and stores on the ship Gilmore. He had financed the trip in exchange for a grant of land in the Swan River Colony. A term of the grant was that he arrives no later than 1 November 1829, thus his original land grant was forfeited. Peel built a small settlement named Clarence south of the Swan River Colony at what is known today as Woodman Point. Facing many problems with the settlement and his own ill-health, Peel led the remaining Clarence settlers to the area known today as Mandurah. Soon after, other settlers also took up land in Mandurah including the families Hall, Tuckey, and Eacott. The census of 1837 records only 12 settlers at Mandurah, probably representing only 3 households. Mandurah continued to grow, albeit very slowly, over the years leading to the 20th century. Fish were abundant, and in 1870 a fish cannery was established at Mandurah. Canning factories sustained the preservation of produce from local fishing and fruit industries. A railway line between Perth and Pinjarra was opened in
