Chidlow, Western Australia
Encyclopedia
Chidlow is a small community in the Shire of Mundaring
approximately 45 kilometres east of Perth, Western Australia
.
. Settlement began in 1883 when it became known that Chidlow's Well was to be the terminus of the second section of the Eastern Railway. The railway station and townsite were changed from Chidlow's well to Chidlow in 1920.
The railway station and yard were of significance in the operation of the Eastern Railway from the 1880s to the 1960s. Lake Leschenaultia
was originally constructed to provide water for the steam trains. Various proposals have been put forward to rebuild the railway to Midland
especially due to the restricted nature of public transport to the Chidlow area. Nowadays, the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail
retraces the 70 kilometres of the old Eastern Railway which was constructed from Fremantle
to York
in the 1880s.
, and is suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding.
Lake Leschenaultia
is popular with both locals and visitors and provides safe swimming, canoe hire, walking trails and camping. Chidlow is also the location of the Somerville Ecovillage.
Shire of Mundaring
The Shire of Mundaring is a Local Government Area on the eastern fringe of metropolitan Perth, the capital of Western Australia. The Shire covers an area of and has a population of 35,097 .-History:...
approximately 45 kilometres east of Perth, Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
.
History
The Chidlow townsite was originally named Chidlow's Well after a small waterhole near the old Northam road. The watering place had been known to travellers for many years and was named after a pioneer family of NorthamNortham, Western Australia
Northam is a town in Western Australia, situated at the confluence of the Avon and Mortlock Rivers, about north-east of Perth in the Avon Valley. At the 2006 census, Northam had a population of 6,009. Northam is the largest town in the Avon region...
. Settlement began in 1883 when it became known that Chidlow's Well was to be the terminus of the second section of the Eastern Railway. The railway station and townsite were changed from Chidlow's well to Chidlow in 1920.
The railway station and yard were of significance in the operation of the Eastern Railway from the 1880s to the 1960s. Lake Leschenaultia
Lake Leschenaultia
Lake Leschenaultia, Western Australia is a former railway dam that is now a recreational lake in the Shire of Mundaring just north of the location of an important railway stopping place on the original Eastern Railway...
was originally constructed to provide water for the steam trains. Various proposals have been put forward to rebuild the railway to Midland
Midland, Western Australia
Midland is a suburb in the Perth, Western Australia metropolitan area, as well as the regional centre for the City of Swan local government area that covers the Swan Valley and parts of the Darling Scarp to the east. It is situated at the intersection of Great Eastern Highway and Great Northern...
especially due to the restricted nature of public transport to the Chidlow area. Nowadays, the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail
Railway Reserve Heritage Trail
Railway Reserves Heritage Trail, also on some maps as Rail reserve heritage trail or Rail reserves historical trail - and frequently referred to locally as the 'Bridle Trail' or 'Bridle Track' , is within the Shire of Mundaring in Western Australia....
retraces the 70 kilometres of the old Eastern Railway which was constructed from Fremantle
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
to York
York, Western Australia
York is the oldest inland town in Western Australia, situated 97 km east of Perth in the Avon Valley near Northam, and is the seat of the Shire of York...
in the 1880s.
Attractions
Since the closure of the railway the Chidlow community has adjusted from being an important transport location to more of a rural retreat location. The Railway Reserve Heritage Trail has become one of the major recreational facilities in the Shire of MundaringShire of Mundaring
The Shire of Mundaring is a Local Government Area on the eastern fringe of metropolitan Perth, the capital of Western Australia. The Shire covers an area of and has a population of 35,097 .-History:...
, and is suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding.
Lake Leschenaultia
Lake Leschenaultia
Lake Leschenaultia, Western Australia is a former railway dam that is now a recreational lake in the Shire of Mundaring just north of the location of an important railway stopping place on the original Eastern Railway...
is popular with both locals and visitors and provides safe swimming, canoe hire, walking trails and camping. Chidlow is also the location of the Somerville Ecovillage.
External links
- Chidlow on Geoscience AustraliaGeoscience AustraliaGeoscience Australia is an agency of the Australian federal government. It carries out geoscientific research.On a user pays basis it produces geospatial products such as topographic maps and satellite imagery.-History:...
- Mundaring and Hills Historical Society Website