Zig Zag Railway, Gooseberry Hill, WA

If you take a drive up to Kalamunda in the Perth Hills, 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 Upper Darlimg Range Railway through Kalamunda was opened in 1891 as a spur line to Canning Mills for the Jarrah Timber Company. To overcome a steep gradient up the Darling Scarp, a zig zag was built between Ridge Hill and Gooseberry Hill stations, being cheaper to build than a continuous gradient line.

When the Upper Darling Range Railway opened in July 1891, Kalamunda was the only station on the line with raised platforms. It had two station buildings, a water tower and sidings for passing trains and for storing wagons. In 1926, a new station building was built. 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.



The Western Australian Government Railways took over the operations in 1903. Eight year later the line was extended to Karragullen, before closing in 1949. G Class locomotives similar to the one standing at the Kalamunda Station platform, constructed in 1927. Closed on 22 July 1949, along with the rest of the line, the station has been redeveloped as the Kalamunda History Village.



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 market gardens who worked the hillsides before the railway was built. More commonly accepted is that the name was given by a settler, Mrs Mead, because she could see gooseberries growing wild from her kitchen. It is possible they were planted by Chinese market gardeners as gooseberries are not native to the area.

Statham's Quarry Walk

Statham's Quarry Walk is a 5.9km popular walk trail, looping through Gooseberry Hill National Park. A fairly strenuous walk with a few loose stony sections, this walk offers spectacular views of the Darling Scarp and the Swan Coastal Plain, and the wildflowers in WA's spring (September to November) are magnificent.

The walk passes the now disused Statham's Quarry, which opened in 1894. Interestingly, the rocks that make up the groyne at Perth's popular City Beach also came from this quarry. The quarry is the claimed location of one of the most extensive dolerite dikes on the Darling Scarp. Statham's Quarry is now a popular destination for rock climbing and abseiling. There is a gravel car park at Lascelle's Parade, where the loop walk begins. The quarry has a picnic area with toilets and an informative sign about the quarry.

Established by Thomas Statham (1858–1918) and William Burton in 1894, Statham's Quarry is considered a rare example of a stone quarry which has retained physical evidence of its operations and is associated with the development of the quarry industry in Western Australia. The Perth City Council operated the quarry following Statham's death and material from the quarry was used as street paving in Perth during the early 1900s. The rocks for the groyne at City Beach also came from the quarry. The quarry was serviced by the Kalamunda Zig Zag section of the Upper Darling Range Railway during the time of its operation.

About 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. 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.

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.