Early Tourism Accommodation in the Perth Hills

As we have written before tourism has been a constant for many years in the Perth Hills. Hotels were operating in Mahogany Creek, Mundaring, Parkerville, Mount Helena and Chidlow. The early years of the twentieth century saw many people flock to the Hills in search of a healthier lifestyle. With passenger rail access the small towns attracted families seeking a weekend retreat or a commuting lifestyle.

This was also the start of the boom of guesthouses in the Hills. Guesthouses had their regular clientele who would travel to the Hills to enjoy home grown produce and the relaxed country lifestyle. Tennis and golf were both popular attractions, as were picnics.

The First Golf Course in Mundaring Shire was constructed in the area near Saw Avenue Darlington. “There were sand and lawn greens. “ Weekend golf was a popular pursuit for local residents but the scenic links around a creek also appealed to city dwellers. It was owned by the Saw family who donated the land to the University of WA in the 1960s and later subdivided to create the Saw Estate.

The guesthouses at Darlington included ‘Leithdale’ run by Mollie Skinner and Miss Beakbane. Leithdale operated from 1922 until1938. Guests were collected by horse and open carriage and taken up the steep hill to the house. Molly Skinner’s most famous guest was D.H. Lawrence who wrote amongst other books “Lady Chatterley’s Lover”. In fact, Molly Skinner wrote her own novel “The Boy in the Bush” with help from Lawrence but that’s another story.

Other guest houses operating at that time were Mrs. Price’s ‘Dalry House’ in Dalry Road and Dorothy Edmondson’s guesthouse.

Image 1 Advert for Temuka, which is now the Eastern Hills Veterinary Centre; Image 2 A Business Card for Temuka Guest House

Mundaring was also a popular resort town with guest houses including Jacoby House (now Mundaring Adult Creative & Learning Centre), and Temuka on Old York Road.

Belair House, an overflow guest house for Temuka. Built in 1918.

Early photograph of The Oxford Inn, now the Chidlow Tavern. Note the Railway lines are still in place.

Image 1 Scout group camping at Lake Leschenaultia 1948; Image 2 Group of motobike visitors in 1937 to the Railway Dam, which later became Lake Leschenaultia.

“Like all of the hills resorts, it has a large holiday clientele, the beauty of the ranges and the beautiful atmosphere make a perennial appeal” Quote from 'Tourist and Holiday Guide'1934