Better Homes and Gardens presenter Johanna Griggs has praised Mandurah for having “one of the greatest cultural and arts outdoor exhibition” she has ever seen as the city gears up for Channel 7’s annual Crab Fest.
Griggs spent time in Mandurah and surrounding areas soaking up everything the city, which was voted the top tourist town of last year, has to offer from the Giants to a seafood feast.
The trip was filmed for Friday’s Better Homes and Gardens episode while also promoting the annual Mandurah Crab Fest which takes place on the weekend of March 16 and 17.
Before tucking into some “epic” crabs, Griggs checked out the Giants, joined by local guide and Noongar elder George Walley.
“They’re possibly the greatest cultural and arts outdoor exhibition I’ve seen anywhere,” she said.
“So impressive to see up close.”
Mr Walley also showed Griggs the ancient rock-like formations called thrombolites at Lake Clifton and got up close with the friendly local dolphins who call the waterways of Mandurah home before cooking up a crab feast.
A self-confessed seafood fan, Griggs learnt a few new tips about preparing crab as well as the sustainability efforts that go into ensuring there are enough crabs every year.
“To know how to pull the crab apart and get the best bits out was handy,” she said. “And the crab is the hero, less is more and only pick a couple of flavours.”
This simple way of cooking and letting the crab shine is advice highlighted at this year’s festival which is jam-packed with free, family-friendly fun.
“To see how it’s grown over the years and to keep evolving, it’s extraordinary, and if you don’t eat seafood there’s still so many options between the activities and entertainment,” Griggs said.
“To showcase the waterways, the amazing Indigenous history and a foodie hotspot, it’s pretty rare and unique and something to be celebrated,” she said.
“All of WA is amazing, there’s not too many bad spots that I’ve ever visited in WA.”