Day 70 – 24th March 2018 – Mandurah

Kym and Matt made great suggestions of things to go and check out while in Mandurah.  There is so much to see and do but unfortunately we had only planned to stay a couple of nights so couldn’t fit it all in.  Col and I would be keen to go back and spend some time exploring this area.  It was such a mix of West Lakes and Glenelg in SA.  The area is surrounded by water, the beach on one side and Estuary on the other.  Lots of canals and marinas.  Apparently the Estuary is good for catching Blue Manna Crabs (known as Blue Swimmer Crabs in SA).

Our first stop was going to Lake Clifton in the Yalgorup National Park to check out the Thrombolites.  Thrombolites look like rocks, but are actually living structures that photosynthesize.  They obtain Calcium Carbonate from the water that forms the structure that is the Thrombolite.  The one’s at Lake Clifton are approximately 2000 years old!  Apparently they grow 1mm a year.  It is believed that over 600 million years ago Thrombolites and Stromatolites produced the oxygen needed for life on land to exist.  They are only found in a few places in the world and a few of these are in WA.  There are many hikes you can do around the National Park and it is well worth the visit.

Matt and Kym then took us into Mandurah to the Oyster Bar that overlooks the Marina and there we sat sipping wine, eating Oysters and nibbling at a grazing plate of great food.  I love the area and the way it is set up.  There was a pontoon with water slides that the kids can play on while the parents sit and eat and drink!  Or the Parents can play on if that is your thing   The restaurant overlooks a beautiful Marina.

Matt grabbed a selfie photo of us all at the Oyster Bar, but Kym was a little distressed that her eyes were closed.  So Mark Spray, a friend of Matt and Kym’s, kindly whipped up a pair of sun glasses at Kym’s request.  I like the addition!

If you cross the bridge there are some markets to visit as well.  There are restaurants and Cafes linking the shores wherever you go.  A beautiful place to visit!

I feel like this place would especially appeal to my Dad and his wife Dee, as you can actually moor your boat directly out the front of your house!  Then drive it into Mandurah to go to the restaurants.