Summer at the marina is one of our favourite things about living in Perth’s northern suburbs, and The Life Boat at Mindarie Marina has become a regular stop for our family once the weather warms up. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly bar and eatery tucked in right next to The Boat. Mum and Dad can sit back with a glass of wine or a cold beer while the kids run off to play, and that’s exactly why we keep going back.
The Playground is the big drawcard for little ones. It sits on sand under shade sails, which makes a real difference on a hot Perth afternoon, and it has a small climbing frame with a slide, monkey bars and a play boat. There are beach toys scattered around too, so our kids were happily digging and building within minutes of arriving.
Plenty of large shaded tables sit close by, so you can keep an eye on the kids and still have a proper catch-up with friends.
The food is simple and very well done. The Life Boat serves classic fish and chips with no frills and no fuss. . Fussier eaters can have chicken nuggets and chips. It’s a fully licensed venue, so leave the picnic basket and esky at home because BYO food and drinks aren’t allowed.
Photo Credit: Mindarie Marina
Make sure you head up to the Upper Deck on top of the shipping container bar at some point. The views across the marina are gorgeous, and it’s a lovely spot to watch the sun go down with a drink in hand.
Once the sun has set, Friday and Saturday evenings turn into free family movie nights. Grab a bucket of hot buttered popcorn and settle in to watch a family-friendly film on the big projector screen. Our kids thought staying out for a movie under the stars was the best thing ever. The movie schedule is posted on The Marina Mindarie website, so check what’s showing before you go.
Sunday afternoons are just as good, with free kids’ activities from 2pm to 5pm. These have included face painting, a magician and giant bubbles, along with craft sessions like pencil case decorating, sand art and bath bomb making. The activity changes each week, so it’s worth checking the schedule to see what’s coming up.
The Life Boat is a seasonal, weather-dependent venue. It’s open from 4pm on Fridays and from 12pm on Saturdays and Sundays, but it may close on bad weather days. Before you head out, check The Marina Mindarie’s Facebook or Instagram pages or their app for the latest opening information.
The Life Boat, Mindarie Marina
Address: Next to The Boat, The Marina Mindarie, 33 Ocean Falls Boulevard, Mindarie WA 6030
Opening hours: Friday from 4pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm (seasonal and weather dependent)
Website: themarinamindarie.com/lifeboat
