Weir to Mundaring

Start at No 1 Pump Station at the base of the weir for an appreciation of the height the water had to be lifted. Alternately, set off from or finish at the trail head opposite Mundaring Weir Hotel.

Pipeline

All three elements of the audacious scheme devised in the mid1890s to pump water further and lift it higher than ever before will be encountered on this 8 km stretch of the Kep Track: the storage reservoir for the Western Australian goldfields water supply, pumping stations and the pipeline itself. [more]

Railway Line

This 8 km section tells the story of the railway branchline to the storage dam for the goldfields water supply. This branchline through the jarrah forest was especially built to connect the dam site with the main railway line from Perth. [more]

Settlements

The first settlers made a living from the land and forest, growing fruit and harvesting wood. When the railway and water pipeline were established Mundaring township grew up. This section gives an appreciation of this history with smallholdings, orchards, the site of a sawmill and evidence of past woodcutting. [more]

Pipeline  

All three elements of the audacious schemedevised in the mid1890s to pump water further and lift it higher than ever before will be encountered on this 8 km stretch of the Kep Track: the storage reservoir for the goldfields water supply, pumping stations and the pipeline itself.

Mundaring Weir

A signposted walk around the area reveals much of its history. Unless it is closed for operational reasons, you can walk across the dam wall during the day. Please dismount and push your bike across the wall for safety reasons.

No 1 Pump Station and precinct

Eight steam-powered pumping stations were initially required to lift water from Mundaring Weir to Kalgoorlie. No 1 Pump Station, situated at the foot of Mundaring Weir, contains one of its original three steam engines and houses displays telling the ongoing story of the scheme. No 1 is normally open 10 am to 4 pm Wednesday to Sunday and on public holidays.

No 2 Pump Station

No 2 is 2.5 km from No 1 Pump Station and about 50 metres higher. No 2 was demolished in 1968 but there are illustrated signs and reminders of the settlement such as fences and steps. Electric pump stations at the base of the weir have replaced No 1 and 2 steam pump stations. 

Two pipelines

Between No 1 and No 2 Pump Stations two pipelines run parallel to one another – one from each of the two electric pump stations at the base of the water supply reservoir. At any time one or both might be in operation, depending on the demand.

Time changes

You’ll see reminders of how the pipeline has been maintained and changed over time to keep it operational. First it was in a trench to protect lead joints from expansion and contraction. Although nature is now covering the traces, the depression is still evident in some places next to the track. Concrete supports are evidence of it being relaid above ground.

Railway Line

This 8 km section tells the story of the railway branchline to the storage dam for the goldfields water supply. This branchline was especially built to connect the dam site with the main railway line from Perth.

Weir Branchline

The Weir branchline originally carried supplies for the building of the dam. It also carried produce from the area to markets. Special sightseers’ trains were popular when the dam overflowed. Regular trains ran twice a week to the weir, stopping only on the way down because of the difficulty of getting going again uphill.

Stops

Kardo Mordo was opposite the Weir Hall (now an Arts and Crafts Gallery) where the trail head for the Kep Track is situated. Portagabra, opposite the Department of Environment and Conservation District Office, is on the edge of Fred Jacoby Park, perfect for a picnic or toilet stop. Stop to explore the site of No 2 Pump Station (demolished) and use the large picnic table. You’ll have to look hard to see the outline of the shelter at Wonyil, the stop nearest the town of Mundaring.

 Settlements

The first settlers made a living from the land and forest, growing fruit and harvesting wood. When the railway and water pipeline were established Mundaring township grew up. This section of the Kep Track between Mundaring Weir and Mundaring gives an appreciation of this history with smallholdings, orchards, the site of a sawmill and evidence of past woodcutting.

Weir settlement

Mundaring Weir Hotel, the Arts and Craft Gallery and few remaining houses opposite are reminders of the much larger settlement of water supply workers who used to live at the weir to keep the water flowing. The greasers, stokers and engineers who lived in these houses were joined on a Saturday night in the hall by forestry workers. Their children went to school in what is now a youth hostel with accommodation for the general public.

Wood and Water

Between No 1 and 2 Pump Stations the Kep Track passes the Mundaring district office of the Department of Environment and Conservation (formerly Conservation and Land Management) and a few remaining houses from a forestry settlement. This is a reminder of how the jarrah forest was harvested for timber before water. Wood from the forest was fed into the boilers of the pump stations to generate steam for the engines.

Fred Jacoby Park

Fred Jacoby Park is a pleasant treed stop with lawned areas, toilets and barbecue facilities. It has recently been upgraded to make for even more enjoyable outings. Walk around the boardwalk at the base of a more than 100-year-old English oak tree in the park to look up through the leafy canopy and marvel at its size.

Mundaring

Before the branchline was completed, men hoping for work on the dam traveled from Perth to the nearest spot they could by train, got off and set up camp. This was the start of Mundaring, declared a townsite on 20 May 1898. It is now the commercial centre of Mundaring Shire with numerous shops. The Visitors Centre on 9295 0202 can give information on accommodation in the area.

Anything you need?

Two branches of large supermarket chains, take-away food outlets, pizza shops, a bakery and a handful of coffee shops are in Mundaring. Most are open during regular shopping / eating hours. There are ATM facilities to expedite this spending!

And you might like to take a breather and visit the Mundaring Arts Centre or local history museum, both on Great Eastern Highway. Pop into the Visitors Centre for information.