Rivervale

Rivervale is an inner-city suburb located between Burswood and Belmont, on the Great Eastern Highway. The area was known as Barndon Hill up until 1884 as Mr Richard Barndon opened up his Brewers Arms inn in the area in 1843. The name Rivervale was first used for the local railway station and is descriptive of the area's location being next to the Swan River. The parcel of land around and including the Belmont Park Race Course used to belong to Rivervale

Rivervale - Aloft Hotel

How Great Eastern Highway has changed in the past decade or so. The road is now 3 lanes in each direction and high rises such as this are springing up all over the place. This is the Aloft Hotel on the highway near Kooyong Road. November 2017. Photos Ref: RIVE001

Rivervale - Indoor Skydiving

Indoor Sky Diving anyone? An interesting concept. This building is on Great Eastern Highway on the corner of Belmont Avenue. Eye-catching at first glance (the blue bits grab your attention) until you notice the tedious prop-up concrete slabs which actually make up the building. But what does all that matter if you're having a great time inside? November 2017. Photos Ref: RIVE002

Rivervale - Apartments on the Highway

An apartment block across the highway from Indoor Skydiving. November 2017. Photos Ref: RIVE003

Rivervale - Great Eastern Motor Lodge

From memory the Great Eastern Motor Lodge was one of the first high-rise buildings on the highway. It is a large complex consisting of 200 rooms. November 2017. Photos Ref: RIVE004

Rivervale - Tobacconist

One day specialist shops of this ilk might be a thing of the past. It that a subtle hint on the right of the building not to climb up on the roof? This is on Kooyong Road. Back in at least the 1950's and 1960's this place was a saddlery run by a Mr Nick Carter. November 2017. Photos Ref: RIVE005

Rivervale - Apartments near Swan River

An apartment complex in Rivervale taken from across the Swan River at the end of the Maylands Peninsula. Many apartments are springing up on the strip of land between the highway and the river. On the east side of the highway are a string of mostly motels. Behind them, roads with unchanged 1940's style houses stretch off in parallel lines toward Kewdale. October 2010. Photos Ref: RIVE006

Rivervale - Apartments near Swan River

I think these are the same apartments viewed at the top of this page from Maylands. These are on the river (southern) side of Great Eastern Highway. January 2011. Photos Ref: RIVE007

Rivervale - Apartments near Swan River

Again on the river side of Great Eastern Highway, such a lot of development going on around here. Just look at the innovative design of this still-under-wraps apartment building. January 2011. Photos Ref: RIVE008

Rivervale - St Augustine Catholic Church

On Gladstone Road just up from the highway is St Augustine Catholic Church. It was opened on 11th December 1955 by Most Rev. J. J. Rafferty D. D., Bishop of Pharan. Next door is the St Augustine school. March 2019. Photos Ref: RIVE009

Rivervale - Metro Baldock Springs Factory

There is a small section of Rivervale north of the highway and bounded by the rail line to the west and up to about Brighton Road to the east which is crammed full of small industrial lots. The land value in this area must be high and the area is sure to be redeveloped sometime in the near future. On Goodwood Parade this typical factory is Metro Baldock Springs and is currently for sale. December 2012. Photos Ref: RIVE010

Rivervale - Old House

Here and there between factories in the northern industrial area are old houses, some seemingly deserted, such as this one. The house was probably built in the 1940's and has seen better days. The land would be ripe for redevelopment. December 2012. Photos Ref: RIVE011

Rivervale - Steam Locomotive PMR735

Still in the industrial area, it's amazing what you might see in a factory yard. Amongst other transport relics in Willis Engineering workshops is steam locomotive PMR735, well at least the firebox, boiler and wheels. This might not be beyond restoration. December 2012. Photos Ref: RIVE012

(Since relocated to Alumina Junction, South Pinjarra)

Rivervale - Vivian Street Factory

This small factory looks vacant now. It is at 11 Vivian Street and was Westcraft Furniture. These lots are being bought up and amalgamated with apartment buildings such as the new one in the background springing up. December 2017. Photos Ref: RIVE013

Rivervale - Salvation Army Church

On Francisco Street near Kooyong Road is the Salvation Army Family Church. March 2017. Photos Ref: RIVE014

Rivervale - Kooyong Disused Shop

Facing Kooyong Road on the corner of Francisco Street is this disused shop and residence at the rear. You can faintly make out the word "Salon" on the overhang, with "Phone 361 3550". A seven digit phone number goes back quite a few years. March 2017. Photos Ref: RIVE015

Rivervale - Kooyong Shopping Centre

Running down the south-western side of Kooyong Road, between Francisco and Campbell Streets, is the local shopping centre. March 2017. Photos Ref: RIVE016

Rivervale - Railcar On Great Eastern Highway Bridge in 1969

How about this for an oldie? I took this picture of a railcar heading from the south into what was then Rivervale Station back in 1969 (now Burswood). You can see the station. Behind is the Swan Portland Cement works. Off to the left where the casino etc is now was the Perth rubbish tip. And there is Hambuger Hill, just up past the "train". December 1969. Photos Ref: RIVE017

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