Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the City of Mandurah were the Binjareb People of the Bibbulmun Nation.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from the 1830s when Thomas Peel and a number of pioneers set up in what is now Mandurah. Population was minimal until 1850 when a road was built to the region and a ferry across the estuary opened. Early industries included fishing, fruit growing and canning. Some growth took place from the late 1800s. From the early 1900s the area became renowned as a holiday destination, and tourism became an important contributor to the local economy. Significant residential development occurred during the immediate post-war years, particularly in holiday dwellings. More substantial growth took place from the 1970s, especially in permanent dwellings. Rapid growth continued from the early 1990s, with the population of the City increasing from under 27,000 in 1991 to nearly 78,000 in 2016. Population growth is expected to continue.

Land use

The City of Mandurah is a rapidly developing residential area. The City encompasses a total land area of about 174 square kilometres, including substantial waterways, coastline and bushland.

Transport

The City of Mandurah is served by the Kwinana Freeway, Old Coast Road and the Mandurah railway line.

Major features

• Major features of the City of Mandurah include Yalgorup National Park,
• Mandurah Estuary,
• Harvey Estuary,
• various beaches,
• South Metropolitan TAFE (Mandurah Campus),
• Murdoch University (Peel Campus),
• Peel Health Campus,
• Mandurah City Centre,
• Mandurah Forum Shopping Centre,
• Halls Head Central Shopping Centre,
• Meadow Springs Shopping Centre,
• Mandurah Country Club,
• Meadow Springs Golf and Country Club,
• The Cut Golf Course,
• Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre,
• Mandurah Ocean Marina,
• Port Bouvard Marina,
• Caddadup Reserve,
• Kanyana Park,
• Len Howard Conservation Park,
• Rushton Park,
• Peel Inlet and Lake Clifton.

Included areas