A Bit more on Rockingham and Mandurah in Western Australia - Topic 7

Mandurah

Mandurah sits on the Peel inlet about 70km south of Perth it is presently accessed from Perth by the Kwinana Freeway as far as Rockingham and then Mandurah Road into the centre of Mandurah. The freeway is due to be extended soon so access will be even better into the city. A southern rail line is being planned to open in Mandurah in 2007 this will give easy access within about 40 minutes to Perth ideal for people who will work in the City but who want the lovely lifestyle Mandurah offers its residents. The Peel inlet opens into the Indian Ocean and the fishing, crabbing and prawning are enjoyed by both the residents of Mandurah and the many holiday makers who visit each year. There are over 75km of beaches easily accessible from Mandurah so you will never feel crowded out! What was once considered a holiday destination only is becoming home to many people.

Mandurah has grown in the past 15 years from a shire with approximately 12,500 people to a vibrant, popular city with a population of almost 50,000 this figure is expected to grow within the next few years to 100,000 people. It still retains its charm with a foreshore which has been revamped but still retains its country feel. The city is lucky to have a progressive council who are allowing some wonderful developments including a recently completed marina which incorporates shops, cafes and market stalls including the largest fish and chip shop in West Australia. There are two main shopping centres one traditional type shops on or near the centre foreshore area and the other modern large indoor complex about 2km east of the old area.

Housing within the city has experienced a bit of a boom in the past two years but there are still very affordable beachside properties for sale along with canal homes which have all been built within the last 5-10 years. There are still lots of new land blocks being released in the area with blocks starting at around $190,000 in the new Lakelands estate just north of Mandurah up to $2 million dollars for a large block on the new marina! Established homes start from around $350,000 upwards depending on the area.

Schools in the area like the area itself are constantly being added to or new schools are being built in the new land areas. There are presently three High Schools, which take children from year 8 to 10 Mandurah High, Halls Head and Coodanup these are all state schools. Catholic College, Living Waters, Frederick Irwin Anglican and the new Baptist College on Lakelands which are run by various church organisations and are private schools some of which take children from age 6 to 17. It is common here for children to attend private school since the fees are much more affordable than in the UK. There are 10 primary schools in Mandurah with more being built as new suburbs emerge. Three of these schools are privately run.

Mandurah Senior College and TAFE cater to children who are going on to further education after year 10. This is a new complex with both the school and college situated within the same grounds. There are regular bus services to this area east of the city.

Years 8 - 10 Mandurah High School - Gibla St, Mandurah WA 6010 (08) 9535 3800

Years 10-12 Mandurah Senior College - Carleton Place Mandurah WA 6010 (08) 9586 7373

Challenger TAFE Peel Campus - Carleton Place Mandurah (08) 9586 7400

Halls Head Community College - Casurina Drive Mandurah WA 6010 (08) 9535 5195

Coodanup Community College Wanjeep Street, Mandurah WA 6010 (08) 9581 3555

Years Kindy- 7

Please send your enquirys for schools in the area you plan to reside, there are too many to list.

There are plenty of things to do within Mandurah and surrounds besides the obvious fishing and beach life. There is a multi screen cinema complex, a large performing arts centre which hosts regular shows and incorporates art gallery, restaurant /bar both these complexes overlook the estuary. A ten pin bowling alley and snooker hall are close to the centre of town. There are several pubs and clubs in the area and lots of cafes, shops and restaurants many open late. Within Mandurah and surrounds there are skate parks and BMX tracks for the kids and many walking trails and bike trails. Dolphins visit the estuary on a regular basis and there are boat trips to see the dolphins at close quarters, they even sometimes visit the outdoor swim pool on the estuary. The indoor pool is open year round and incorporates a gym and sauna. There is a large carnival on the southern foreshore with rides and mini golf to amuse the kids.

If you take a short car journey you can visit the local wildlife park with native animals or the local miniature village based on England which also has a maze and playground. Pinjarra and Dwellingup are close by and you can take the steam train from Pinjarra up through the forest to Dwellingup where there are numerous adventure pursuits and a school of wood to keep you occupied. There are several museums on the history of the area and a local chocolate factory to visit.

There is a library, police station and hospital in Mandurah a vehicle registration and license office and two main post offices, and Centrelink offices shops to purchase anything you can imagine and plenty of professional people eg solicitors, lawyers, banks etc.

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Since Mandurah is still a regional designated area for the migrant visas it is becoming very popular with new immigrants starting life in Western Australia and is in reasonable proximity to Perth city.

Rockingham

Rockingham is situated approximately 50 km south of Perth there is now easy freeway access to this seaside resort which has grown over the years since it was first surveyed by the first fleet. Rockingham was originally a busy port where the ships came in to transport the wood cut from neighbouring areas. Now it is home to a large Naval Base situated on Garden Island just off the coast and accessible by a bridge from Rockingham. The population is growing due to new land releases and the ease of commuting to Perth it is presently home to about 80,000 people. The new rail network will have stations in Rockingham and suburbs and it will take about 35minutes to Perth - due 2007.

Some of the best beaches in Perth are in the Rockingham area and the residents and visitors enjoy the benefit of beautiful safe bays in which to swim, snorkel, ski and further south at Secret Harbour surf. Many people in the area own boats, fishing is a major pastime in the area. The seafront in Rockingham has been earmarked for an upgrade and there are several new developments including a shopping complex and hotels/apartments. At Safety Bay there is a large safe beach and bay which is part of the Shoalwater Marine Park and home to fairy penguins and seals. Here you can swim in safety in clear water or sit on nice clean beaches.

Housing is still relatively cheap in the area compared with other beachside suburbs to the North of Perth. Established homes start at about $375,000 upwards with lots of houses in the $400,000- $500,000 mark. New land is becoming harder to find in this area but there are still blocks for sale from about $200,000 the area is booming and it is not hard to see why. There are still suburbs within a 10 minute drive which offer a country feel and you can buy 5 acre blocks for around $400,000 - around $600,000 with a home. For those of you looking at real estate search for Safety Bay, Warnbro and Waikiki there are still affordable properties in these areas. For those of you who are cashed up there are properties right along the seafront with ocean views from about $800,000 upwards.

Schools in the area are good like Mandurah there are both private and state schools to choose from.

Private schools include:

  • Living Waters - PO Box 997, Rockingham WA 6168
    (08) 9593 1211 www.livingwaters.wa.edu.au
  • Maranatha Christian College - (08) 9528 2838
    Email- office@maranatha.wa.edu.au
  • St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School - Grand Ocean Blvd, Port Kennedy WA6172
    (08) 9593 4066 Fax (08) 9593 6596
  • Tranby College - Tranby Drive Settlers Hills, Baldivis WA
    (08) 9524 2424

State schools

  • Rockingham Senior High School - Read Street, Rockingham WA 6168
    (08) 9527 0300
  • Safety Bay Senior High School - Malibu Road, Safety Bay Rockingham WA 6168
    (08) 9527 1233
  • Warnbro Community High School - Swallowtail Parade,
    Warnbro Rockingham WA6169 (08) 9593 4055

Like Mandurah there are too many junior schools to list but I would be happy to email any info on the junior schools you may require if requested. A new High School has just opened at Secret Harbour - Comet Bay High.

Murdoch University has a campus in Rockingham as does Challanger TAFE

Rockingham is well placed for finding things to do within the city there are lots of sporting facilities, indoor cricket and beach volley ball courts, youth clubs which hold various activities to amuse the children and there are several skate parks and a BMX track For a pleasant day you can visit Penguin Island a ferry can take you there or at times it is accessible by wading along a sandbank (this is not recommended by me!) once on the island there are some lovely bays to snorkel in and a penguin display and talk by the keepers. Seal Island is close by and there is a boat trip to visit the island although you do not alight. There is a museum in the foreshore area which gives an interesting insight to the early settlement of the area. There are two swimming pools in Rockingham one with water slide and gym. As in Mandurah there are plenty of pubs, clubs and restaurants to choose from to amuse Mum and Dad. The local yacht club has a lovely facility overlooking Palm Bay and they allow social membership as do the local sports clubs. There are shops aplenty with a very large indoor shopping complex which is just undergoing an extension there are also several other smaller shopping malls. Windsurfing lessons can be taken at Safety Bay and equipment is for hire there. Golf courses are in Rockingham, Port Kennedy and Secret Harbour and there is a driving range at Rockingham golf course. To the east of Rockingham there are several local wineries which open their doors for tastings, a local fishing lake offers the chance to catch a fish and eat it in their restaurant or BBQ to do it yourself. A water ski park is a matter of minutes away as is a facility to ride off road trail bikes. There is a local 4 wheel drive club for those of you who want an adventure in your own vehicle.

The city of Fremantle is only a short drive from Rockingham which was one of the first places to be settled so has plenty of interesting buildings housing a car museum, pearl museum, Prison, new markets, and various other points of interest. There are many novelty shops, cafes and festivals held in Fremantle during the year. Ferry trips leave Fremantle on a daily basis to the centre of Perth and also to visit Rotnest Island with its world famous Quokka population.

When you get here you will find many more things to do and the more you do the more people you meet which all helps with the settling in. Happy days in Perth folks!

If you have any further questions get on the chat forum and someone will reply to you, or e-mail from the Contact page.



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