Gooseberry Hill

This suburb is perched on top of the Darling Escarpment just north of Kalamunda and commands majestic views of the Perth coastal plain. The locality was named by Surveyor Ranford in 1878 after cape gooseberries found growing in the area. Gooseberry Hill has essentially remained unchanged in the last 30 years in terms of street layout. To the east of the suburb is the extensive Kalamunda National Park. The old zig-zag railway reserve is in this locality

Gooseberry Hill - Ledger Road Track

A drive east down Ledger Road eventually leads to this attractive gravel roadway which probably leads to private houses. This road section is called Nimbin Road and is a cul-de-sac. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS001

Gooseberry Hill - Hall

Just off Ledger Road is an area containing the Gooseberry Hill Primary School and Ledger Road Reserve. Within the Reserve is this building, the Community Centre. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS002

Gooseberry Hill - Railway Reserve

Williams Street and Railway Road run almost parallel, north-south through Gooseberry Hill. Between the roads still exists the old railway easement which these days is used as a recreation track. This is a view near the end of Gooseberry Hill Road, looking south towards Kalamunda. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS003

Gooseberry Hill - Railway Reserve

Still on the railway easement between Williams Street and Railway Road, this is an about-face view looking north. You can just make out the Gooseberry Hill Road crossing. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS004

Gooseberry Hill - Old Shop

On Railway Road at the corner of Lenori Street is the local shopping centre. Just to the left of the centre is this old shop which no doubt has a bit of history to tell. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS005

Gooseberry Hill - Down Gooseberry Hill Road

Gooseberry Hill Road runs off Kalamunda Road in Maida Vale, climbs up and up the hill, and eventually ends at Williams Street. Here is a view looking west back down Gooseberry Hill Road. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS006

Gooseberry Hill - Very Steep Driveway

It's very hilly country here and some houses are perched on top of hills with seemingly impossibly steep access driveways. This one looks steeper in real life. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS007

Gooseberry Hill - View to Perth

At the northern end of Williams Street is this hillside park which offers grand views of the coastal plain. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS008

Gooseberry Hill - Zig-Zag Bend One

On the Zig-Zag. This road used to be the railway line from Midland to Kalamunda. It achieved climbing the escarpment by way of several switchbacks, gradually gaining height by travelling laterally across the side of the hill. This is the highest of four switch points. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS009

Gooseberry Hill - Zig-Zag Looking West

On the zig-zag here is a view looking west across the coastal plain. You can see Perth City centre on the horizon and the Perth airport tower just to the right of the city and a little closer to camera. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS010

Gooseberry Hill - Zig-Zag Bend Two

The second zig .. or is this now a zag? We've travelling south from the first. This is looking back north, both up and down. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS011

Gooseberry Hill - Zig-Zag Bend Two Switchback

At bend two, this is looking north into the area where trains would have travelled. Change the points over then on, upwards (or downwards) they went. The primary use of the trains was to carry plentiful timber from the hills down mills on the plain. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS012

Gooseberry Hill - Zig-Zag Bend Two Hills and Houses

Looking north from bend two affords this hilly view with typical Darling Range rock formations and houses way up there on Lascelles Parade. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS013

Gooseberry Hill - Zig-Zag Lower

Down at the bottom of the zig-zag is this area which may have been used as a waiting area for trains to ascend the hill. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS014

Gooseberry Hill - Zig-Zag Looking Back Up

Looking down it's hard to see the zigs and zags but looking back up is a bit easier. You can see a couple of motor bikes on the next level up. Go up, left of picture to see the next level, and further another at the top. March 2013. Photos Ref: GOOS015

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