Mahogany Creek
Mahogany Creek, located on the steepest section of the Great Eastern Highway after Greenmount Hill, is one of the picturesque dormitory suburbs in the Perth Hills.
Mahogany Creek began with the establishment of an inn on the road between Guildford and York midway between the two towns, known as The Prince of Wales Hotel. The name Mahogany Creek was first recorded by surveyor George Smythe when he was establishing the York Road (now Great Eastern Highway) in 1835. He noted that the inn was located in a small valley surrounded by 'mahogany trees'. Mahogany was the name given to jarrah by the early settlers. The creek from which the locality is named flows into Jane Brook, which in turn flows through John Forrest National Park into the Swan River.
York Road became a toll road adminstered by the local lawman, Constable Henry Coppin. In 1850 a convict depot had been established beside The Prince of Wales Hotel. Mahogany Creek was on the original route of the Eastern Railway, the township had a railway station on the line and there have been a number of shops close to the railway station. Only one remains, now an antique shop.
The Mahogany Creek Hall in Strettle Road was constructed in 1954 with the assistance of voluntary labour from local residents. One year later the kitchen was built and in 1975 the tennis courts and playground were constructed.
The first national park in Western Australia and the second in Australia after Royal National Park, this park has been a favourite destination for Perth families since its establishment in 1900. In the early days, visitors arrived by train on the Eastern Railway line which dissected the park. The original station was at Hovea Falls; a second station was added in 1936 near the main park buildings. The last train steamed through the park on 13 February 1966.
The path of the railway forms the John Forrest Heritage Trail. There are also the Glen Brook Walk Trail and the Eage View Walk Trail within the park. These lead to the National Park Falls, Hovea Falls and the disused Swan View railway tunnel.
Historic land uses before the area was made a National Park include timber production and grazing, and the main east-west rail route passed through the Park from the 1890s until the mid-1960s. During the 1930s depression, sustenance workers built the rock gardens, paths and pool weir in the main picnic area on the banks of Glen Brook. The historic remnants provide opportunities for visitors to reflect upon and learn about bygone days.
Access to the Tavern and facilities alongside Glen Brook requires payment, whereas the scenic drive through the park remains free.
Originally named 'The Prince of Wales', Inn Mahogany Creek was built on a spacious 3.5 acre block from local stone in the mid nineteenth century. Pioneered by the business woman Jane Byfield 'The Prince of Wales' was a simple yet homely wayside inn where weary travellers could rest and dine. Later renamed 'The Mahogany Inn' and now 'Inn Mahogany Creek', this beautiful Georgian building still stands and is one of Perth's oldest operating inns.
With high profile owners such as Sir Stephen Parker, a prominent politician and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of WA, the inn has had a varied and exciting history - from being used as a bushrangers hideout, to being the inn where the notorious criminal and Australian cultural icon 'Moondyne Joe' was reportedly captured after years on the run.
Mahogany Creek is on the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail. This trail follows the route of the old Eastern Railway, passing through quaint hills towns and covering a wide range of terrains with scenic views and numerous points of historical and natural significance. The trail spans from Bellevue to Wooroloo and can be joined at various access points. It can be travelled in half a day to day sections or over several days and is well signposted with distances and elevation charts.
