Holiday houses in Mandurah

A popular day trip from Perth an hour to the north, Mandurah (nicknamed Crab City) is where you go when you have a hankering for the taste of fresh-caught seafood. The city, which sits on the Indian Ocean and whose offshore reefs feed a sizable commercial fishing industry, is famous for its bounty of crabs, lobster, and crayfish, which appear on menus throughout town and beyond. If you’re looking for something to pair with your fish feast, the nearby Margaret River Region rolls out a long list of attractions that includes national parks, ancient cave systems, and one of Australia’s most exciting wine regions. The town itself celebrates its rich history and commitment to the arts with a series of self-guided tours that allow you to stroll the waterfront browsing small museums, independent galleries, and more than 60 works of public art.

Winter in Mandurah doesn’t get especially cold, though it is the wet season. May through August can also be extremely windy — Mandurah has the distinction of being one of the windiest places in Australia. Spring and autumn see less rainfall and are generally warmer during the daytime. In March, the city celebrates Sustainable Seafood Week with Crab Fest, which draws 100,000 people for two days of live music, cooking demonstrations, and lots of local blue manna crab. Autumn is a good time to visit wine country and celebrate the annual harvest. Summers can be very hot and dry. This is when you’ll want to grab your umbrella and towel to head to the beach. Because of its location on the coast, summer nights can cool down a bit more here, so pack accordingly.

Yalgorup National Park

This national preserve is just a 35-minute drive away from Mandurah and a great spot to immerse yourself in nature on a hike. Look out for thrombolites on Lake Clifton, unique rock-like organisms that are thousands of years old. See hundreds of them along the boardwalk while taking in views of the expansive lake. The park is also a destination for birdwatching enthusiasts.

Margaret River Wineries

Make the two-hour drive down to the inland Margaret River region. The climate here has created a fertile environment for producing some of the country’s best wines, specializing in an even mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Shiraz, and Merlot. There are dozens of wineries to choose from in the surrounding countryside and scenic spots to stop off for lunch surrounded by the rolling landscape.

Mammoth Cave

This spectacular geological feature is worth the 2.5-hour drive down from Mandurah. This large limestone cave’s stalagmites and stalactites are part of a system of nearby caves, and Lake Cave minutes down the road also features an underground lake.