The first inhabitants of Mandurah were the Bibbulmun group of tribal people. The region was then called �Mandjar� or the �meeting place�. It was only after the Europeans came and settled here that the place came to be known as Mandurah. Much of the area was left unexplored until 1850. Slowly after the construction of roads began, the population started growing. Mandurah then became a tourist destination spot and started flourishing due to the canning and fishing industry. But soon the canning industry declined and tourism became the primary source of income in the region. Mandurah was made a shire in 1960, got the town status in 1987 and was finally made a city on 14th April, 1990.
Mandurah enjoys a typical Mediterranean type of climate which is characterized by warm summers and cool winters. In the summer months of December to February, temperatures soar up to 27�C or more. The extreme summer temperatures rise up to 40�C. The summer temperatures are brought down by the influence of oceans and seas. During winters, temperatures drop down to 19�C or lesser. The Mandurah city is renowned for its high density of tornadoes which affect the region quite often.
Mandurah has a well-developed rail road service as many buses serve the city. The Mandurah Estuary Bridge which was built in 1986 is one of the important means of transportation in Mandurah. The Dawesville Channel is another source of water transport used by the local people. The Mandurah railway line is still under construction and once this is completed it will become easier for tourists to visit the place.
Mandurah also has a rich cultural and festival culture which is demonstrated in the Channel Seven Crab Fest, Mandurah International Opera Festival, Stretch Arts and Community Festival and Mandurah Ocean Marina Boat and Fishing Show; all of which attract thousands of visitors every year. The Mandurah Community Museum organises exhibitions of traditional Aboriginal artwork of the Binjareb Bilyidar tribe as a commemoration of the city�s past.
Mandurah has a relaxed and complete holiday atmosphere which makes it a favourite tourist destination. Some of the popular tourist destination spots of Mandurah include:
- Waroona Visitor Centre
- Yalgorup National Park
- Quiet Cone Mandurah
- PeelRidge Winery
- Murray Arts and Crafts
- Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
- Mandurah Ten Pin Bowling Centre
Mandurah has wide range of shopping markets and malls. The undercover markets in Dolphin Quay have a wide variety of retails shops, art galleries, stalls and gift stores. There are two large supermarkets and discounts stores in the city centre. Mandurah also has a whole range of Italian, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Australian and other international cuisines available in the restaurants and cafes. Few of the renowned ones are�Caf� Moka, Scusi, Brighton Hotel, Stage Door Bar and Brasserie, Ruffino�s on the Terrace, Sunbreakers Restaurant and Marapana Wildlife World.
Mandurah also offers cheap as well as luxurious accommodation options like: Koorabup Motel Seashells Resort Mandurah Batavia Motor Inne Sorrento Beach Resort Pinjarra Motel