All About Secret Harbour

Facts, Background and Essential Information

Secret Harbour lies on the West Australian coast, less than an hour’s drive from Perth’s CBD. Nestled conveniently between the cities of Rockingham and Mandurah, the award-winning residential estate offers an idyllic lifestyle and a stunning location to live. Secret Harbour’s secluded, yet village‑like ambience is one of its most attractive features. Many flock to Secret Harbour for its abundant natural attributes, such as the open spaces, bush land, beaches, parks and lakes, while others are won over by the internationally-renowned, 18‑hole links-style golf course. Those with young families appreciate having the quality Secret Harbour Primary School on their doorstep. Comet Bay College opens to Year 8 students in 2006 and will extend in each following year.

More than 6500 people live at Secret Harbour and there is a strong sense of community spirit. Residents eagerly participate in various, annual social events including Carols by Candlelight, Autumn Fair, and a series of summer sunset concerts. This sense of community is highlighted in the bi-monthly Secret Harbour newsletter, The Secret Harbour Whisper, which details community information and reports on local events. 

The local Community Centre houses a range of activities for all ages, including aerobics, dancing and Church services. To date, Secret Harbour's development has been guided by a number of basic principles, including: 

• the protection and conservation of the area’s natural resources
• the design and location of infrastructure to always complement the surrounding landscape
• the estate’s ability to cater for future population increases

Evidence of its success in meeting these principles is obvious not only in land sales, increasing property values and community atmosphere, but also by the estate’s impressive list of national and state awards, which include: 

UDIA Environmental Excellence Award in 1998 and 2000

Secret Harbour Environment and Open Spaces 
Secret Harbour's success is due largely to the developer’s initial, and ongoing, commitment to planning and conservation. From inception, the developer wanted to create a desirable residential estate that capitalised on the area’s natural attributes and characteristics. To date, the developer has maintained, preserved and improved all of Secret Harbour's unique environmental features while creating an estate that boasts modern facilities and a thriving sense of community.

Parks
Tuart Grove is one of the region’s most significant pieces of remnant bush land. The rare trees are hundreds of years old and bring with them a diverse understorey of unusual plants, which attract native fauna to the area. Tuart Park incorporates this important bush land and forms part of the green corridor that links to Anstey Q Swamp.

Lakes
Secret Harbour's various lakes provide habitats for exotic and native bird life, frogs and other fauna. A significant development feature within the Foreshore Reserve has been the construction of a fresh water lake within 100 metres of the beach. The 1.3‑hectare lake, known as Foreshore Lake, is linked to Hidden Swamp, a small, seasonally inundated wetland, to create a green corridor that further promotes flora and fauna conservation.

Wetlands
By converting degraded wetlands into attractive community assets, Secret Harbour now has a number of stunning passive recreation venues. The condition and quality of the estate’s wetlands varies from small, seasonally inundated damp lands to significant, relatively undisturbed locations such as Cud Swamp and Anstey Q. The water table within the property is high ranging from 1 to 2 metres, which is evident by the chain of surface wetlands, known as the Becher Suites.

Coastal Dune System
The Quindalup and Spearwood dune systems have heavily influenced the urban form of Secret Harbour. These two systems offer a continuous coastal ridgeline, at approximately 7.5 metres high. Further inland, the dune ridges are around 20 metres in elevation and naturally obscure much of the estate from Mandurah Road. To date, coastal/foreshore work has included revegetation using local species, protective fencing and the creation of public access pathways to the beach.

Access, Cycle Paths and Walkways
Much of Secret Harbour’s beauty lies in its design; the wide, sweeping boulevards of shady trees and high quality streetscapes constantly attract new residents. The extensive network of dual use pedestrian and cycle paths link the many community facilities and encourage social interaction.

What to do at Secret Harbour
Life at Secret Harbour is never dull! With the sparkling Indian Ocean on its doorstep and the quality 18-hole golf course within easy reach, recreation is a central feature of life at the estate. There are many opportunities for relaxation or entertainment at Secret Harbour some of which include:

Cycling and Walking
Enjoy an early morning stroll or brisk evening walk on the extensive network of dual use pathways.

Fishing 
Secret Harbour is the perfect location for beach fishing.

Surfing
Great breaks and waves have given rise to Secret Harbour’s reputation as one of Perth's best surf spots.

Swimming 
Golden sands, pristine beaches and clean water make Secret Harbour a great location for safe swimming.

Golf 
The quality golf course is among the world’s top 100 and is praised for its design and innovation.

Tennis 
Tennis courts are available to hire for enthusiasts regardless of skills.

Playgrounds 
Secret Harbour has a number of playgrounds dotted throughout the estate to keep the little ones entertained.

Community Centre 
Secret Harbour's Community Centre is a hub of activity, offering everything from aerobics to dancing to children's activities and Church services.

Picnics and Dining Out 
Secret Harbour’s many parks, beaches and reserves are great spots to enjoy a picnic or barbecue while relaxing with the family. The Dunes Surf Beach Cafe is a perfect location for a snack or meal, and is open 7 days a week from 7.00am – 7.00pm. The golf clubhouse is open daily for lunch and morning and afternoon teas as well as Friday night for dinner. The foreshore diner serves great burgers, cool drinks and ice-creams throughout the year.

Neighbour Centres 
Why not pamper yourself at the local beautician or update your hairstyle at the local hairdresser? You can even grab some groceries at the Foreshore Shopping Centre, which boasts a range of convenient stores such as Surfside Bakery and Clearwater Surf. Medical services are located on Oasis Drive accommodating a doctor’s surgery, physiotherapist, pharmacy and pathology. In the same strip is a fitness centre and the new Secret Harbour Shopping Centre. If you require more specialist items, the major shopping precincts of Mandurah, Warnbro and Rockingham are only a stone’s throw away.

Events and Activities  
Secret Harbour has a busy annual events schedule jam‑packed with fun events and activities including Carols by Candlelight,  Autumn Fair and a series of summer sunset concerts. 

Clubs and Groups
Secret Harbour has a full range of community groups and clubs, including:

Secret Harbour Resident's Association
Aerobics and dance classes
Secret Harbour Neighbourhood Watch
P&C Association
Secret Harbour Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving
Secret Harbour Golf Club
Secret Harbour Playgroup
Secret Harbour Soccer Club
Secret Harbour Little Athletics
Secret Harbour Storm (Australian Rules JFC)
Pirates (Secret Harbour Tee Ball Association)
Secret Harbour Scouts
Secret Harbour Red Hat Society
Craft group

The Secret Harbour Facilities and Services Guide lists contact details for these groups and more! Residents agree that lifestyle is the most important element when choosing to live at Secret Harbour so if you have a specific interest, hobby or pastime that isn’t listed in the guide, why not start your own?  

We welcome you to Secret Harbour and hope you enjoy the estate’s unique and special features for many years to come.