Kalamunda


With a name that in the local Aboriginal dialect means 'home in the forest', one would expect Kalamunda to be a place with a warm, semi-rural feel, and you would be right. Perched on the edge of the escarpment, approximately 20km from the Perth CBD, Kalmaunda offers expansive views of the city and coastal plains. The scenery in the opposite direction is equally as picturesque - rolling forest-covered hills, dotted with orchards, vineyards, art studios and galleries.

Kalamunda town centre is also particularly appealing, with its gift stores, character eateries and quaint village feel. Art, music and history play a big part here with several heritage building sites in town. Also a must drop into the Zig Zag Cultural Centre to learn more about the history, culture and attractions of the area.

A visit to the town library will reward you with views of the largest community-built stained-glass window in Australia, and if you are visiting on the first Saturday of the month, be sure to drop in on the village market. The Kalamunda Farmers Markets are held every Sunday morning showcasing fresh produce from local farmers and growers.

The name Kalamunda is correctly pronounced 'Ka-la-moon-da', though that prnounciation is no klonger in useage. Made up from two words cala - bush; munda - hearth, it was first spelt Calamunnda, but was incorrectly spelt 'Kalamunda' on the station boards of the railway station on the bush railway line.

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Kalamunda History Village


Located on Railway Parade, History Village features the old school building, post office, machinery and steam locomotive among other historical items. Kalamunda History Village occupies the Kalamunda Railway Station on a line that ran througth Kalamunda to Karragullen between 1891 and 1949.



Heart of the Hills Wine Trail


The Heart of the Hills Wine Trail will lead you through the forests and gullies of Darlington, Glen Forrest, Mt Helena and Wooroloo to some of the oldest wineries in the region and continuing further south, the Bickley-Carmel Valley Wine Trail touts seven world class wineries including some fine examples of sparkling wine made in the French tradition. Cellar doors are open most weekends and public holidays and you can set your tastebuds dancing with good selection of wine varieties.

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Stirk Cottage


Constructed in 1881, Stirk Cottage was the very first house to be built in the Perth Hills suburb of Kalamunda. It was build by Frederick and Elizabeth Stirk. The building was subsequently enlarged between first being built and 1895. Since 1970, the local Historical Society has operated a museum here.

Location: 12 Kalamunda Rod, Kalamunda. Open Sunday 2-4pm or by appointment; closed December and January.



O'Connor Museum


34km east of Perth in the Darling Ranges, Mundaring Weir was built around the turn of the 20th century as the catchment dam for a far-sighted Goldfields Water Supply Scheme. The scheme's pipeline carries water 530 km from Perth to Kalgoorlie. The water was initially pumped in successive stages with the aid of eight steam-driven pumping stations. The O'Connor Museum, which tells the story of the building of the dam and pipeline, occupies the original No.1 pumping station near the foot of the dam. A visit to the weir and museum make for a pleasant half or full-day drive through the Darling Ranges via the semi-rural townships of Mundaring and Kalamunda. Facilities include toilets; picnic tables; dam wall walk. Entry fees apply.

Location: , Mundaring Wier, Mundaring Weir Road. Contact: (08) 9295 2455



Lesmurdie Falls


Lesmurdie Falls are situated 20km of Perth and 5km from Kalamunda on the Darling Escarpment. Lesmurdie Falls cascades 50 metres. There is an excellent network of walk trails within the Park that leads to the lookouts and vantage points providing excellent views of the falls.

Location: Falls Road, Lesmurdie, WA



Gooseberry Hill Zig Zag


If you take a drive up to Kalamunda, be sure to descend the escarpment via a road through Gooseberry Hill which follows the path of the Karragullen railway down through a zig-zag to the plain below. The track offers some great vantage points for bird watchers, photographers and anyone who loves a beautiful view.



The railway through Kalamunda was opened in 1891. It was extended to Karragullen before closing in 1949. The rail line had a series of switching points (zig zag) where trains reversed direction in order to climb the steep 1 in 30 grade of the Darling Range. After the rails were removed the zig zag was turned into a narrow bitumen road. The drive only caters for one-way car traffic (which is down the hill), so follow the signs to avoid mishaps.



Gooseberry Hill National Park


The Gooseberry Hill National Park covers approximately thirty-three hectares in the Perth Metropolitan Region, a 30 minute drive out of the city. It is on the edge of the Darling Range Escarpment, offering wonderful views to Perth and the coast, 16 kilometres to the West, and is only 5 kilometres North of Kalamunda. There are no entry fees for the park.

The park covers some quite steep land, which is difficult to access on foot in some parts. It is still popular as a bushwalking and birdwatching area all year round, and is known for the abundant wildflowers that are in full bloom for you and the birds in Spring. Within the park is the Zig Zag drive and walking track. This follows the route of the old 'Zig Zag' railway track and offers extensive views of the Coastal Plain.

The best time to enjoy Gooseberry Hill National Park regardless of the season, is the afternoon and evening, when the view across to the West takes in the sunset, and the lights of Perth can be seen. There is a picnicking spot at the parking site at beginning of Zig Zag drive, but no facilities. No fires are allowed in the park due to the combustible vegetation and dry climate.

There are a number of suggestions as to the origin of the name Gooseberry Hill. Some say it was named by early settlers to the area, after a hill in their native Yorkshire. Others suggest it is a reference to the Chinese markt gardens who worked the hillsides before the railway was built. More commonly accepted is that the name was given by a sttler, Mrs Mead, because she could see gooseberries growing wild from her kitchen. It is posible they were planted by Chinese market gardeners as gooseberries are not native to the area.



Bibbulman Track




The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world s great long distance walk trails, stretching nearly 1,000 kilometres from Kalamunda, in the Perth Hills, to the historic town of Albany on the south coast. This Top Trail passes through the heart of the scenic south west of Western Australia. The track takes you through towering karri and tingle forests, down mist-shrouded valleys, over giant granite boulders and along breathtaking coastal heath lands. Bushwalkers from around the world come to Western Australia to become an end-to-ender on 'The Bibb'.

The Bibbulmun Track offers a wide range of experiences, from an epic eight-week adventure staying in the 48 campsites along the way, to day walks, staying in comfort in one of the quaint country towns. The track passes through Dwellingup, Collie, Balingup, Donnelly River Village, Pemberton, Northcliffe, Walpole and Denmark.















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