Murray River Lunch Cruise

Cruise & Dine
on the Murray River

Half-Day Sightseeing River Cruise with Lunch

The Murray River Lunch Cruise is a four and a half hour half day cruise from Mandurah, with four courses prepared on board and a guided walk at Cooper’s Mill. You will cross the Ramsar listed Peel-Harvey Estuary, travel up the Murray River as far as the Murray River Bridge, and come home through the Port Mandurah canals. It departs mid morning from the Mandurah Cruises Jetty at Mandjar Square, under an hour south of Perth. It’s an easy river cruise day trip from Perth, with lunch included.

The Murray is one of Western Australia’s loveliest rivers, and one of the few major rivers in Australia that has never been dammed. It is the longest permanent river in the Jarrah Forest, lined with cottages, houseboats and wildlife, and it holds Cooper’s Mill, one of the last European settler buildings left standing in the Peel region.

Beautiful scenery around the estuary, river and glimpses of the canals. Lovely crew who served a hearty lunch. A really enjoyable half day out on the water. We saw dolphins too. Recommended.

diane walker, google REVIEW

You will travel aboard Dancing Dolphin, our twin level vessel, with a climate controlled deck downstairs and a sheltered open deck above. A local guide hosts the day and tells you what you are looking at as you go. There is nowhere to be and nothing to organise.

  • Morning across the Peel Inlet. We set out over the inlet with morning tea, biscuits to start and warm scones with jam and cream once we are underway.
  • Past the Creery Wetlands. An antipasto board of cheeses, meats and fruit comes out as we pass the Ramsar listed wetlands, which are busy with birdlife most of the year.
  • A local guide, all the way. Live commentary on the history, the wildlife and the places we pass, from someone who knows this water.
  • Watching for dolphins. Mandurah’s estuary is home to around 90 wild bottlenose dolphins, the largest resident population in Western Australia, meaning they live here rather than passing through. They often surf the wake. They are wild animals, so we cannot promise they will appear on any given day, and this cruise does not carry our Dolphin Guarantee, which is included on the Dolphin Cruise & Views and the Giant & Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise.
  • Ashore at Cooper’s Mill. We stop at Cooleenup Island for a short, easy walk to the restored wind driven mill. You can only reach it by boat. Wander on your own or follow the guide and hear the history.
  • Lunch on the river. Two more courses, a homemade Australian buffet and dessert, served by our chef while we cruise the cottage lined Murray.
  • Games on the way back. Bingo with prizes on the return leg across the Peel Inlet.
  • Home through the canals. The Port Mandurah canals and their waterfront homes as we come back in.
  • A licensed bar on board. Beer, wine, soft drinks and cocktails made fresh, available to purchase throughout the day.
  • Tea and coffee on us. Complimentary tea and instant coffee, so bring a keep cup.
unique scenery

Explore Mandurah’s winding waterways, heritage and nature

relaxed CRUISING

Cruise on calm waters aboard a comfortable twin-level cruiser

Lovely LUNCH

Feast on a delicious buffet lunch with views ~ dine as you cruise!

LICENSED BAR

Free tea/coffee, plus drinks available to purchase on board

LIVE COMMENTARY

Friendly crew with commentary by local expert tour guide

FREE PARKING

Free and convenient parking close to departure point

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  • Buffet Lunch served, Murray River Lunch Cruise Simmer Menu
  • Dolphins leaping from the water on the Murray River during a Mandurah Cruises lunch cruise
  • Aerial view of the Murray River near Mandurah, Western Australia
  • murray river lunch guests
  • upper deck lunch on the murray river
  • homemade scones jam and cream on the murray river lunch cruise
  • a drone shot of coopers mill
  • charcuterie board on the murray river lunch cruise
  • friends laughing on the murray river lunch cruise
  • cocktails on the murray river lunch cruise

Purge SG Cache

Everything was top notch. The staff were fantastic, the food delicious, ample space on the boat to move around. We even had the dolphins swim with the boat and put on a show for us. It was lovely to get off at Cooper’s Mill and explore. Definitely recommend and would happily do the cruise again.

Janelle Johnson, Facebook Review

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Murray River Cruise Prices

dolphin leaping in the peel inlet

Murray River
lunch cruise

• Half-Day River Cruise with Sightseeing
• Heritage Walk
• Four-Course Lunch
• Licensed Bar
• Tea & Coffee

$149 ADULTS | $135 SENIORS
$99 STUDENTS | $50 CHILDREN
(FREE UNDER 3)

~

DEPARTS MID-MORNING
(times vary and are confirmed when selecting cruise date)

Departs from Mandurah Cruises Jetty,
Mandjar Square

Half-Day Tour

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What’s Included

  • Four and a half hours on the water with panoramic views
  • Free all day parking near the jetty, no ticket needed
  • A fully guided tour, with plenty of time simply to sit and watch the river go by
  • Sightseeing of the landmarks, nature and history along the way
  • A land stop and guided walk at Cooper’s Mill on Cooleenup Island, reachable only by boat
  • The chance to spot wild dolphins as we cross their home water
  • Four courses: morning tea, an antipasto board, then a two course Australian buffet prepared on board
  • A fully licensed bar, including cocktails made fresh on board
  • Complimentary tea and instant coffee, so bring a keep cup
  • Friendly, experienced crew looking after you, with warm WA hospitality
  • Live commentary from a local guide who knows this river
  • An enclosed climate controlled deck and a sheltered open upper deck
  • Blankets in the cooler months, plus board games and books
  • A game of bingo with prizes on the way home
  • 10% off in our souvenir and local artisan gift shop
  • 10% off your next Mandurah Cruises experience, and 50% off churros at Mandurah San Churros
BOOK NOW GIFT cards

PLEASE NOTE:

¹ Mandurah’s dolphins are wild creatures viewed in their natural environment and we are unable to guarantee sightings.
² Cooper’s Mill heritage island site is a public location managed by local government. Access is via a public jetty and very occasionally this can be delayed or even prevented by other vessels. Guests must be able to offboard and onboard at a fixed jetty or via an onboard ramp, which requires independent mobility and a small step. Guests visit the island at their own risk. There is a marked path which is very flat, but the path is not paved and is not suitable for guests unsteady on their feet. We strongly request guests do not wander into the uncleared bush for safety reasons.
³ For details regarding accessibility for this tour, see our accessibility page.
⁴ We are unable to guarantee your choice of seating on the boat ~ seats are allocated on the day, on a first-in, first-choice basis. Please read our Seating information in full here.
⁵ Excludes Christmas Lights and special event cruises.

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ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE

Everyone on board needs to be able to move around the vessel independently and safely. That covers boarding, small steps and walkways, moving about, and staying seated through small waves without help from the crew. If you are not sure whether that suits you or your group, please call us on 08 9581 1242 and we will talk it through.

The cruise itself is wheelchair and walker friendly. The walking tour at Cooper’s Mill is not, because of the way the public jetty there is built. The path is unpaved, there is a step up and down at boarding, and the walk is at your own risk. You are very welcome to stay on board for that short stretch, where our crew will be laying out lunch and looking after you.

Our accessibility page has more on this cruise and on getting to Mandurah, including hearing, vision, sensory and Companion Card details.

ladies lunching on the murray river lunch cruise
Murray River Lunch Cruise aerial

Frequently Asked Questions

Four and a half hours, which makes it a proper half day out rather than a quick trip. We leave mid morning from the Mandurah Cruises Jetty at Mandjar Square and come back mid afternoon. Please arrive 15 minutes before your departure time so we can board everyone without a rush.

Tour departs from Mandurah Cruises Jetty in Mandjar Square, located in front of the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre. View the jetty location map. Our Booking Office and Gift Shop is 200m from here.

See parking information.

Please arrive for boarding 15 minutes prior to your cruise departure time. Please be aware that boarding will occur in an orderly first come, first served fashion, and boarding for your party will not commence until every member has arrived. Please ensure you allow plenty of time to arrive for your tour as our cruises run to schedule and cannot be extended.

Simply bring a print out of your booking confirmation OR present it on your mobile device to board the cruise.

Yes please, and earlier than you might expect. Online bookings for this cruise close 24 hours before departure, rather than the 30 minutes on our shorter cruises, so it is not one to leave until the morning. Minimum numbers apply for the cruise to run. Book online here or call our Booking Office on 08 9581 1242.

Morning tea of biscuits to start, then scones with jam and cream. An antipasto board of cheeses, meats and fruit as we pass the Creery Wetlands. Then a homemade Australian buffet lunch and dessert, prepared on board by our chef while we cruise the Murray. The full menu is further up this page and varies a little with the season. Tea and instant coffee are complimentary if you bring a keep cup, and there is a fully licensed bar on board. BYO alcohol is not permitted.

As we present a set lunch menu, we cannot cater to all dietary requirements.

Please note we cannot accept bookings from guests with anaphylactic allergies or severe allergies caused by microscopic exposure to allergen owing to limited galley space.

We can accommodate GF, vegetarian and halal: please note when booking online or please call our Booking office on 9581 1242 to let us know.

As this vessel is licensed, BYO alcohol is not permitted.

Children are very welcome. Child tickets are $50 and under 3s travel free. This is a long, relaxed day rather than an action packed one, with a buffet lunch, board games and books on board, and a game of bingo on the way home. Everyone on board does need to move around the vessel independently, including boarding, small steps and staying seated through small waves. If you are unsure whether it suits your group, call us on 08 9581 1242.

We recommend bringing:

camera
sunhat
sunscreen
sunglasses
warm top (it can get cool on the water)
cup to enjoy free tea/coffee on board
credit card or cash to purchase drinks on board (EFTPOS facilities available)

Free all-day parking (no ticket required) is available at the Reading Cinema / Mandurah Performing Arts Centre carpark on Ormsby Terrace. View the parking location map.

See departure information.

See how to get to Mandurah, including public transport options. 

Our boat is configured as 4-6 people per table, across two levels. We cannot guarantee the reservation of seats. If you have a group and being seated together on a specific part of the boat is important for you, we recommend arriving early (at least 30 minutes prior to departure) to assemble in a line on the jetty ramp.

Our cruise is very popular and so if you are in a smaller group, you may well be seated on a table with others, with enough space to interact (or not) as you wish!

The vessel for this cruise ~ Dancing Dolphin ~ is wheelchair / walking frame friendly with more details on our accessibility page. When booking online, please select if you will be travelling with a wheelchair or walking frame (under the Optional Extras section), so our crew are aware in advance. Alternatively, please call our Booking office on 9581 1242 to let us know.

We regret that owing to public jetty configuration, the walking tour at Coopers Mill heritage site is not wheelchair/ walker accessible. Guests are welcome to remain on board for this short section and enjoy the warm hospitality of our charming crew as they lay out lunch.

To access the walking tour, guests must have the mobility to step up off the boat onto the jetty and down onto the boat on return, and walk down a ramp unaided.

All guests must be able to move around the vessel independently and safely. This includes boarding, handling small steps or walkways, moving around and staying seated during small waves without crew assistance.

Visit our Accessibility page for further details about getting to and around Mandurah.

Cancel more than 14 days before departure for a full refund, less any card processing fee. Between 14 days and 72 hours, half the ticket price comes back to you, less the fee. Inside 72 hours, or if you do not make it on the day, we are not able to refund. If we cancel, whether for weather or minimum numbers, you choose between another cruising date and a full refund. Our full terms and conditions have the detail.

Guests must show senior/student card on the day of cruise to redeem the senior/student discounted rate.

Online bookings close 24 hours prior to departure.

Minimum numbers apply for this cruise to operate. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative date or full refund.

If a severe marine weather warning is issued for the cruise area, there is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative cruising date or full refund.

Cruises operate in most weather conditions, so please dress appropriately.

View Mandurah Cruises’ full Terms & Conditions.

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Luc LE TOURNEAU profile picture 
 
 
 Luc LE TOURNEAU 
 
14 days ago
 
 
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+1
Crayfish catch and dine cruise from Mandurah. Excellent experience, thanks to a knowledgeable and experienced crew. Exceptional food and service, friendly crew, great views.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Christopher Kuhn profile picture 
 
 
 Christopher Kuhn 
 
29 days ago
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Can’t share vids and pics of the kids but we took the cruise and definitely saw 4-6 dolphins. 4 in a distance and 2 which followed the boat for a solid 5-7mins

Visitor but I grew up years in Perth. Mandurah is still a great place and highly recommend people taking this cruise to enjoy the environment

We had lovely weather early September 2026
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Trish Townsend profile picture 
 
 
 Trish Townsend 
 
29 days ago
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Fantastic lunch cruise and a wonderful day out for four friends! Mel, Bree and Aidan were fantastic, with Captain Murray at the helm. The crew were friendly, hardworking and very knowledgeable. Delicious food, generous servings and excellent service. Highly recommend! 🚢🍽️
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Tara Abeleira profile picture 
 
 
 Tara Abeleira 
 
30 days ago
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
A beautiful experience. Amazing views over the estuary, a wonderful experience with wildlife, and a great shot of the giant. It was a great way to get a taste of Mandurah
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Calvin Sim profile picture 
 
 
 Calvin Sim 
 
35 days ago
 
 
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Crew on cruise was very friendly and attentive to guest. Highly recommend them to anyone
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 tengtpo profile picture 
 
 
 tengtpo 
 
41 days ago
 
 
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Awesome. Saw many playful dolphins. Crew are knowledgeable.
Highly recommended.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Christine Amos profile picture 
 
 
 Christine Amos 
 
44 days ago
 
 
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+4
Great time was had by all. The squeals from the little kids each time a dolphin surfaced put a smile on even the hardest old grumpies face
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Anthony Kristofferson Alonzo profile picture 
 
 
 Anthony Kristofferson Alonzo 
 
49 days ago
 
 
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+2
The cruise did not disappoint and Captain Cristina was very professional and Aby the tour guide was very knowledgeable,Thanks for the great time
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Lisa Spelta profile picture 
 
 
 Lisa Spelta 
 
51 days ago
 
 
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+1
Had an amazing experience and enjoyed it immensely thanks for all your insights about the environment
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Aaron JC profile picture 
 
 
 Aaron JC 
 
54 days ago
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Beautiful cruise, saw so many dolphins! The staff obviously love and know so much about them. Really cool. And loved seeing the amazing houses on the water, too.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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