Mandorah is a locality in Northern Territory, with its local government area in Wagait Shire. Located 8 km from Darwin and extending over 1.179 square kilometers, Mandorah still holds a population of 0 residents. Despite its exclusivity, Mandorah continues to be an ideal tourist destination for both campers and those interested in fishing. Mandorah hosts the amazing Wagait Beach, a tropical beach offering exorbitant shells and golden beaches. Shade is provided by the Casuarina trees, offering resting areas to all visitors. Mandorah is also an ideal area for fishing, as the waters are pristine and generally untouched, with fishes such as mackerel and tuna within the casting area. Mandorah also offers a World War II wreck site, where one can visit for the atmospheric feel and learn of the history. Six American lives were lost at the site, and the site displays a plane that crashed during the war. Some other historic sites include the Charles Point Lighthouse, being the oldest lighthouse in Northern Territory. It is where numerous ships approached Port Darwin in 1880, built to prevent wrecks. There are also a variety of accommodations for visitors, despite being quite an isolated area. Visitors may enjoy meals offered at Wagait Beach shops and stay at a variety of holiday resorts.

How to get to Mandorah

There are 2 ways to get from Darwin to Mandorah—— by ferry or car. The cheapest way to get from Darwin to Mandorah is to drive which costs $15 – $23 and takes 1h 52m. (Click Here for more information). The quickest way to get from Darwin to Mandorah is to ferry which costs $15 – $26 and takes 15 min. (Click Here for more information) There is a direct ferry departing from Cullen Bay and arriving at Mandorah. Services depart hourly, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 15 min. For more information about the ferry timetable and fare, please visit

https://www.sealinknt.com.au/ferry/ferry-timetables/mandorah-timetable0

Park maps with marked points of interest and destinations

What you can do at Mandorah

• Visit Wagait Beach!
  
  • The topical beach offers a vast array of shells and shades provided by Casuarina trees. Enjoy the golden sandy beaches and the walk around!
  • Go beyond & visit the Inmaluk Beach and Harney’s Beach
•  View the Monsoonal vine forest
• Visit the restricted site of historic Charles Point Lighthouse
• Fishing
  
  • Mandorah Jetty is an especially popular fishing spot, extending to deep harbour water
  • Waters include a number of different fishes. During the dry season, mackerel and tuna are often within casting distance
• WWII wreck site
• Site were 6 Americans lost their lives, and where Japanese plane “Betty Bomber” plane crashed

WWII Heritage

Wagait Beach is not big to explore. But there are some remarkable sites that are worth a visit. Along the coastline are remains and evidence of the location’s World War II strategic importance. There is a gun tower and placements at the beach access from Wagait Tower Road with story boards, and more ruins of gun placements on the beach walk east from Wagait to the Jetty. In the forest with signed access from Charles Point Road are the remains of the Milady, and American bomber which crashed in 1945, with story boards telling the story of the ill-fated plane and her crew. There’s also the widely strewn remains of a crashed Japanese ‘Betty Bomber’ which didn’t make it home from the infamous Bombing of Darwin.

Surroundings

• Wagait Beach: meal and coffee shop, fully licensed social club
• Accomodations available at Mandorah Powered and Unpowered Site
• Mandorah Pub
• Wagait Beach Bush Retreat
• Coxy’s Retreat
• Golden Sands Retreat

What to pack for this park’s visit?

• Suitable clothing
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Suitable footwear for water and swamps
• Muzzle for dogs & up to 20 kg of personal luggage on the ferry

Safety advice

• Be careful of crocodiles! There are numerous swamps
• Pets are allowed, but please bring a muzzle and make sure pets are well behaved

Walking along the beach, you may be lucky enough to spot the occasional dolphin, dugong or even seasonal manta rays. During the dry, turtles come ashore at night to lay eggs. Parks NT do an annual turtle hatchling release here, check their website to register attendance. Just walking around is a bird watcher’s treat, with flocks of diverse forest parrots, wetland birds and numerous marine birds flying over the waves. At night you may hear the howl of the area’s many pure bred dingoes, and in the morning see a croc sunbathing on beach rocks. Some common animals you may find in the area include:

Dingo: Dingo is a medium sized canine that excels in speed, agility, and stamina. The three main coat colors are tan, black/tan, or creamy white. The name derives from the Dharug language used by the Aboriginal population

Manta Rays: Manta Rays are large rays found in temperate and tropical waters who rely on their filters to eat large quantities of zooplankton. They are horn shaped with a giant forward facing mouth, and a large brain. They are currently listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Dolphins: Several species of dolphins can be found in coastal regions of Northern Australia: the snubfin, Indo-pacific humpback, and the Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins.

When you visit the area, please be aware that:

• Certain sections of beaches and creeks are Sacred Sites that are no accessible to visitors
• Please obey all signs and information on maps
• Campfires are allowed in designated spots, but please bring BYO firewood.