The Railway Reserves Heritage Trail retraces 70km of the old Eastern Railway constructed from Fremantle to York in the 1880's. Passing through the reserves you will discover the individual history and character of the many settlements which sprang up alongside the line. Each reserve has an information sign which describes the development of the adjoining settlement and includes historical and flora and fauna photographs.

Most points along the trail are accessible by road. It is suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding and features the attractive scenery and flora and fauna of the Darling Range and John Forrest National Park. Many of the reserves are now community parks providing picnic tables, toilets and other facilities.

Railway Reserves Heritage Trail - History

Swan View and Greenmount

After the Swan View Tunnel was constructed nearby as part of the Mahogany Creek Deviation, the Government subdivided land on the sloped above the deviation and fifty-one 'Greenmount Tunnel Suburban Lots' were auctioned in October 1895. Ballast for the second section of the Eastern Railway came from the Government granite quarry established in the 1870's at the foot of Green Mount (which Dale had climbed in 1829). Settlement gradually developed around the railway station, at the foot of the mount and the 'Greenmount Suburban Area' was declared in 1891.

Stoneville

In 1896 Messrs Adams and Dowie established a timber camp on the Mahogany Creek Deviation, midway between Parkerville and Lion Mill ( Mount Helena ). In 1902 a spur line was built to the camp, which became known as ' Adams and Dowie's Siding'. In 1905 it was renamed 'Stoneville', in honour of Sire Edward Albert Stone, Chief Justice of Western Australia .

Chidlow

Chidlow was the terminus of the second section of the Eastern Railway and became an important stopping place for the watering of trains and for passenger refreshments.The settlement was originally known as Chidlow's Well, after a watering place located and used by William Chidlow, who came to the Colony in 1831.

Parkerville

The original grazing lease held by Mr W.H. McGlew was resumed by the Government in 1893 and the suburb of Parkerville was gazetted in 1895, named in honour of the distinguished Western Australian statesman, Stephen Henry Parker.

Mount Helena

In 1882 White's Mills was established in this area to provide sleepers for the second section of the railway. It's site was taken over in 1889 by the new Lion Mill, which operated successfully for nearly a decade. In 1896 Mahogany Creek Deviation rejoined the main Eastern Railway line at Lion Mill. A town emerged around this junction and was named Mount Helena in 1924.

Wooroloo

Settlement on the upper reaches of Wooroloo Brook was initiated by the Byfields in 1878. Its name was derived from the Aboriginal word 'Worrilow', which referred to certain pools along the brook.

When the Eastern Railway made the area more accessible, James Byfield established a steam sawmill 3.5km north of the railway crossing. The surrounding land attracted orchardists and farmers when Byfield's Mill was made an official stopping place on the Eastern line in 1893. It's name was changed to Wooroloo in 1897.

Mahogany Creek

Mahogany Creek became an important watering place along the York Road and in 1839 a military barracks was built to protect travellers against attacks by local Aborigines. In 1841 it became a roadside house and was licensed in 1845.

In 1890 interest in the fruit growing potential of land at Mahogany Creek led to the opening up of the 'Mahogany Creek Suburban Area'. A public platform and flag station were built on the Eastern line at Mahogany Creek in 1891.

Sawyers Valley

Sawyers Valley began as a pit sawyers' settlement in the 1860's. The construction of the Eastern Railway through the settlement and the opening of Lacey's Enterprise Steam Sawmill in the 1880's caused a period of rapid growth. The townsite of Sawyers Valley was officially gazetted on October 28, 1898.

Mundaring

In 1882 the first freehold land was granted to a wine merchant, Peter Anthony Guigeri, who established an extensive vineyard and orchard known at 'St Bernard'. In 1889 a sawmill opened alongside Gugeri's property, bringing with it an increase in population which warranted a stopping place on the Eastern line. The construction of a spur line from Mundaring to the weir site resulted in a substantial encampment on the south side of the railway and the townsite of Mundaring was declared on May 20 1898.

Glen Forrest

Charles Alfred Smith established the ' York Greenmount Sawmill' on the banks of Nyaania Brook in 1877. With the construction of the railway business boomed and more families were attracted to the area. In the 1880's the Burkinshaws pioneered the quarrying of gravel in the district, which eventually let to the lucrative business of brick manufacturing. In 1915, after much debate, Smith's Mill was renamed 'Glen Forrest'.

Darlington

The hills of Darlington became easily accessible to settlers after the completion of the railway. Dr Alfred Waylen purchased land in 1883 and established a vineyard in which the Hon. Josceline G.H. Amherst later became a partner. In 1889 a small platform was constructed, and later a more substantial station was built and name ' Darlington ' after the vineyard.

Helena Valley and Boya

The Helena River valley was one of the earliest regions to be established in what is now the Shire of Mundaring. In 1854 Richard Smith purchased Clayton Farm from Henry Camfield, and quickly developed a self-sufficient farm. Helena Valley remained a predominantly rural area until the early 1900's, when numerous brick making firms were established. Boya was established in 1901 when a new Government quarry began extracting huge granite blocks for use in C.Y. O'Connor's Fremantle Harbour Scheme. A spur line was extended from the main Eastern Railway line to the quarry and the siding was named 'Boya', an Aboriginal word meaning 'rock'.

The Closure of the Railway

The Eastern Railway opened up the Mundaring district for settlement and gave longstanding service to the residents and the many growing industries in the area. In due course stopping places along the lines increased in number and a branch line was built to Mundaring Weir during its construction (1898-1903). The branch line to Mundaring Weir was closed in 1952 and the Mundaring Loop two years later. The main line was closed in 1966 and today it remains echo a past of incredible feats of engineering and manual labour.