Rod Bishop and a group of tourists.
Camera IconRod Bishop and a group of tourists. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Seized opportunity

Staff ReporterMandurah Coastal Times

He left his job in Fisheries and started a new chapter in his family’s life.

When a competitor cruise business came on the market five years later, he seized the chance to grow the fleet to six vessels and a more prominent location.

Today, Mandurah Cruises and Gift Shop offer hourly dolphin and scenic canal tours and other options including Murray River lunch cruises as well as heritage, crabbing and eco tours.

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The company is competing for the prestigious Telstra Australia Business Awards and is a finalist in two categories, the Media Business Awards against five other businesses and the Regional Awards against three other businesses.

Its gift shop features locally- made souvenirs and information about activities in the region.

Staff numbers have risen to 25 and annual turnover has increased four-fold.

The business has been instrumental in establishing The Mandurah Boardwalk committee, a group of 14 business owners and stakeholders dedicated to increasing visitor numbers to the Peel region.

Future plans include buying a larger function vessel.