Mundaring Weir
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The dam is open to visitors until 5pm every day of the week.
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Mundaring Weir supplies water to the Goldfields and Agricultural water supply areas. It is not only an important source of fresh water for Western Australians but is also a tourist destination with educational, historical and natural attractions that we all can enjoy.
In the beginning...
In the 1890s prospectors made a dash for gold in Coolgardie seeking fame and fortune. However in the dusty, dry and searing heat another precious commodity proved even more elusive - water!
The area´s population was booming and in 1895 the State´s Engineer-in-Chief of Public Works,CY O´Connor, was asked to work out how to get fresh water to the arid goldfields around Coolgardie.
He decided to build a storage reservoir in the hills near Perth and pump water inland. Some called it madness while time has proved others, who called it a unique technological triumph, right.
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The project involved building a 21 Gigalitre storage reservoir at Mundaring and then pumping the water via eight large steam-driven pumping stations through a 557km steel pipeline. But CY O´Connor was never able to enjoy his success as pumping trials began just weeks after his death in 1902.
In January 1903 the Mundaring water flowed into Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. Since then the Weir´s capacity has been increased with the addition of the Lower Helena Weir downstream of the main dam. Water from this smaller dam is pumped back into Mundaring Weir.
Cross-section of Mundaring Weir
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Why visit the Mundaring Weir?
A visit to Mundaring Weir is for everyone who wants to :
- learn about how water is supplied to a large part of our vast State
- enjoy the history of an early engineering feat
- find a great spot for a family outing
Barbecues and Picnics
There are plenty of picnic spots and barbecue facilities as well as drinking water and toilet facilities.
There are also good playground facilities available.
Firewood is provided for the barbeques but please use only what you need so there´s plenty for all. There are some gas barbecues available free of charge.
Nature Walks
There are a number of marked nature walks around the Weir which allow you to enjoy the bush without damaging it.
In the wildflower season, which extends from July to November, the area around the Weir explodes in a brilliant array of native flowers
No. 1 Pump Station
Visit No.1 Pump Station to learn more about the incredible engineering feat of pumping water from Mundaring Weir to the goldfields.
Formerly known as the CY O´Connor Museum, No.1 is the first in a series of eight steam pump stations built in 1902 to deliver water from Perth's hills nearly 600 km east. It still houses its original boilers and one of its original steam engines.
Visitors to No. 1 can enjoy self-guided walk trails, and a drive trail that follows the water to its destination in Kalgoorlie also starts here. For more information and for group and school bookings please call 9295 2455.
| Open | Closed | |
| Wednesday to Sunday Public Holidays | 10 am until 4 pm 10 am until 4 pm | Monday and Tuesday Christmas Day Good Friday |
How to Get There
From Perth city centre take Guildford Road or Great Eastern Highway to Midland, then follow the Great Eastern Highway for approximately 16 kilometres towards Mundaring. Turn right into Nichol Street and follow the signs from there.
The dam is open to visitors until 5pm every day of the week.
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Downloads
Mundaring Weir
Download the Mundaring Weir brochure and Sitemap
Your Safety & the Security of our Water Services
For your own safety when visiting our sites please ensure that you confine your movements to the signed and formed pathways, roads and recreational areas. Please recognise that there are uneven surfaces and walking hazards which may exist in the area due to the nature of its design and construction, and exercise caution at all times when moving about the area.
Please do:
- Follow and comply with all directional and informational signs.
- Always monitor the whereabouts of children as they explore the site.
- Report all safety hazards to the onsite Ranger, Staff or 13 13 75 (all hours)
- Report all unsafe, criminal or suspicious behaviour to the Ranger, Staff or 13 13 75 (all hours)
Please do not:
- Climb walls, fences or bridges.
- Climb on pipework or other operational infrastructure.
- Deface safety and security signs.
- Trespass into signposted operational and "No Entry" areas.
- Attempt to operate operational taps, valves or controls.
- Block emergency and operational access gates and roadways with vehicles.