Mundaring Weir is a dam on Helena River. It is about a 40-minute drive east of Perth CBD.
Goldfields Water Supply Scheme
Mundaring weir was completed in 1903, more than 110 years ago, to supply water by waterpipes from Mundaring Weir to Goldfields towns of Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie.
Known as golden pipeline, the 560km-long 30-inch diameter steel water pipes were laid from Mundaring Weir and ran past regional towns such as Cunderdin, Merredin, Yerbillon, Ghooli, Gilgai, Dedari, and Coolgardie to Mount Charlotte Reservoir at Kalgoorlie.
Other than Mundaring Weir, Mount Charlotte Reservoir, and the golden pipeline, the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme also included holding tanks, regulating tanks, and 8 pump stations located over the golden pipeline to generate the necessary lift to transport water over high terrains and long-distance.
The Goldfields Water Supply Scheme was a huge engineering undertaking at the time of construction using a record-breaking amount of steel.
Since 1903, the water supply system has been operating for more than 110 years. Remarkably, significant parts of the golden pipeline today are the original pipeline built more than 110 years ago.
The Goldfields Water Supply Scheme was recognised as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers on 20th October 2009.
Nowadays, water from Mundaring Weir is supplied to the Goldfields and Wheatbelt agricultural region. As a result of years of persistent reduction in rainfalls, Mundaring Weir now serves more like a storage reservoir receiving water from streamflow as well as desalinated seawater and groundwater to maintain its water level for the higher water demand in the summer months.
Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail
Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail is a driving trail following the golden pipeline from Mundaring Weir to Kalgoorlie. The driving trail was designed to allow visitors to explore historical sites associated with the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme. Want to find out more? Check out the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail webpage.
Mundaring Weir
Located in natural bushland in the Perth Hills, Mundaring Weir is a lovely place for a walk or a family picnic outing in nature. Mundaring Weir is the start point of the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail.
Walk on the walking paths and steps around the weir, as well as on the 308m-long dam wall walkway to enjoy the views of the lake created by the dam – Lake C.Y. O’Connor – named after the chief engineer Charles Yelverton O’Connor in charge of the design and construction of the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme.
The dam wall height is 42m above the downstream Helena River and from the dam wall walkway, visitors will have good views of Helena River valley and No 1 Pump Station of the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme located not far from the dam wall.
Clean fresh air, plenty of birds, kangaroos sighting, barbecue facilities, picnic tables, grassed areas, and shady trees are the draw points for locals and tourists. During wildflower season from July to November, visitors get to spot a wide range of native flowers.
Want to discover more great walking locations around Perth? Check out the “By the Waters” blogs.
Mundaring Weir is a dam on Helena River located in natural bushland in the Perth Hills, about a 50-minute drive east of Perth CBD