Part 1  – Before & After Your Boat Hire

I first heard about Maylands after living here for about 2 years. One of our then family friends had bought an investment property there in 2006. After that, I went for a ride with my friends to a compound chemist and I once had a meeting at Rifo’s. But, I never knew what was hiding behind the street signs and trees until Nauti Picnics moved from Katanning street to Maylands Boat Ramp in 2018….14 years in the unknown….Crazy!!
Maylands is such a diverse place with ancient Indigenous history, settlers stories, culture and hidden gems. The Peninsula boast a recreation hub like no other, and the main strips, 8th Ave and Whatley, has everything from wonderful shops to thriving hospitality venues.
Now, I have fallen in love with this quirky riverside suburb and made it my work place!

I have learnt that for most of you visiting Nauti Picnics, it is your first encounter with Maylands too. So with that in mind, why not test it out and make a day of it on the day of your boat hire?
In this 4 part blog, we’ll show you some of our favourite in Maylands. Maybe they’ll become yours too –

[Let’s get started]

Before your boat hire, get your sweet tooth to Sherbet Cafe and Bake shop! A bakery inspired by 1950s America, Sherbet Bakeshop is the perfect stop to pick up some sweet treats either for your day out on the river, or for dessert on your way home. With a huge range of cakes and pastries, there are treats for everyone to enjoy – and the coffee is good too!

Sail past Tranby House or stop off at their jetty! A special piece of Western Australian history; Peninsula farm (Tranby House) is one of the only houses still standing from the early pioneers of the Swan River colony. This house was built in 1839. Learn about Joseph Hardy and the attempts it took to build the home along with the fascinating history of the Maylands area. Next door at the warden’s cottage, enjoy some tea and treats while overlooking the Swan River.

Step into another world as you enter Chapels on Whatley and experience tea heaven, including traditional and signature flavours! A favourite of the locals, Chapels is decorated with decorative pieces imported and hand crafted from all over China, Tibet, Mongolia, Japan, Vietnam and Singapore. For those of you looking for some ‘after hire drinks’ – their cocktail menu is spectacular!

Rossonero Pizzeria is one of Maylands’ hidden laneway gems, and is the perfect dinner stop to enjoy wood-fired pizzas after your hire. The laneway turns into a haven in the warmer months. But even during the day, go behind the streets and find murals, art and coffee.

For those of you who have booked a morning hire, M Coffee in the same building as Rossonero is open for coffee during the day. Take time to grab some before your boat hire and explore the main street and Whatley Crescent.

For those of you looking to carry on after your boat hire, Lyric Lane, run by fellow Scandinavians, is the perfect place to wind down and get a taste of Maylands. Open till late, with regular live music and good vibes, enjoy the list of cocktails and delicious food on offer, and reminisce with friends about your day on the river with Nauti Picnics. They share the same laneway as Rossonero and I have to say this is the best place during a balmy evening during summer.

I hope this got you thinking of your next outing in Maylands. Just make sure you check opening hours before jumping in. Parking is on 8th Ave and at the train station (easy access). If you would like to know what you can see from the boat, check out this page .