History & Heritage

While Mandurah and the Peel Region were settled by Englishman Thomas Peel in 1830, the first people known to have inhabited the Mandurah area were Aboriginal people of the Bibbulmun Nation. The Estuary was a main source of food for them and they had a superior knowledge of living off the land, which abounded in fish, game, berries and fruits. The locality was then known as Mandjar, which translates to 'meeting place'.

After European settlement, the name was adapted to its current title of Mandurah however we still proudly remember our heritage with part of our main waterway along the city foreshore called Mandjar Bay.

Along the eastern foreshore is the heritage art walk - a series of statues and mosaics that depict people, events and activities from Mandurah’s Aboriginal and Settler history. Visitors to the City can enjoy a pleasant stroll by the river as they follow unique markers that share the story behind each of the artworks dedicated to the Binjareb Bilyidar people of the Bibbulmun Nation who used to inhabit the region as well as the artworks relating to the first European settlers to the area.

Allowing visitors a fantastic opportunity to explore Mandurah’s richly diverse past, the trail begins at the Mandurah Community Museum next to the old bridge.

Beautifully preserved heritage buildings are dotted around the City and provide an accurate portrayal of life as it once was in Mandurah. The iconic Hall’s Cottage was originally built in 1832 and has been carefully restored to honour the early settlers of Western Australia. Refurbished limestone cottages can be seen along Mandurah Terrace and add character to the new and modern buildings of the City. The Mandurah Community Museum’s history walk, taking in buildings such as the Eureka Cottage - built 1862 - is a fantastic way to take in these historical sites and learn more about their origin.

Mandurah Community Museum

For a wealth of information, the Mandurah Community Museum offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into Mandurah’s rich history. The Museum’s helpful staff and volunteers are on hand to assist you in experiencing the People, Industry, Environment and Recreation galleries which are undergoing professional redevelopment.

The Museum buildings began life in 1898 as a schoolroom, later becoming the town’s police station. The cells can still be seen today.

Open from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Tuesday – Friday and from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Saturday and Sunday.