Perth Off the Beaten Path Tips by keeweechic

Also spelt Fo Quang Shan and Fo Guang Shan. The temple is quite a grand sight on Guildford Road in Maylands and was opened in 1998 to the general public. The complex takes up 4,425 square metres and is made up of the Main Shrine Hall, Meditation Hall, Memorial Hall, Museum/Art Gallery, Library, Conference Room, Classrooms, Dining Hall, bookshop and souvenirs. The design is traditional Chinese architecture but also incorporates many multicultural aspects in the inner features and design.

The Fokuangshan sect is Taiwanese based and was founded in the mid 1960’s. There are more than 100 branches world-wide. The building has become a refuge for contemplation for both Buddhists and non-Buddhists and is surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Open Tues – Sunday (closed Mondays except on long weekends) 9.00am – 5.00pm.

Location: 282 Guildford Road, Maylands

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Tranby House sits on the banks of the Swan River with gently sloping lawns and impressive gardens which include tow large English oak trees, both over 100 years old.. Built in 1840, the house is a unique example of colonial farmhouse architecture. The house is a museum which displays historic local artefacts. There are regular guided tours and a small fee is asked.

Open: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (except Public Holidays)

Location : Johnson Road, Maylands

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Claremont is one of the older and more established areas of Perth, founded in 1898. It was named for Clare Morrison who was the wife of a major property investor in the area. The original name put forward was Butlers Swamp. Mrs Herbert’s school was built in 1860 and was the first school between Perth and Fremantle. It also served as a place of worship. Today the building is used by the Claremont Museum.

Claremont has beautiful parks and is quite an exclusive residential area with good upmarket retail shopping and entertainment. There are also plenty of recreational facilities like golfing, tennis, cricket swimming and yachting.

In September and October, Claremont hosts the Royal Show and at Christmas there is the Lights Christmas Parade and Carols by Candlelight.

Location : 10 mins or so, west of the metro area

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Claremont is a suburb on the same train line as Subiaco (or a close drive away) which has some good food too. The Claremont Signal cabin was built in 1906 and is the only surviving traditional all-lever signal cabin still in operating and still in its original location in Perth metro area. It was constructed of a timber frame with an overlarge roof probably for providing more shade in the Perth heat during summer. Unfortunately for the poor signalman, they did not provide any basic comforts until 1938.

It has been observed by those in England, that the cabin is to a typical McKenzie and Holland design, and that the 'over-large' roof was perhaps to afford shade in our very hot summers. They were right about our summers! The only access to the cabin is from the additional stairs from the footbridge above the island platform. The signal station was closed in 1990 and is now preserved for an educational role in the Claremont Museum and for the Town of Claremont. It is open on the first Saturday of every month (except during January and February). There is an educational talk on the working life of a signalman and the working trains through the station are demonstrated by the use of a custom-built simulator.

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Peppermint Grove is just 8kms west of the metro area and about 4kms north of Fremantle. The area got its name from the peppermint trees (Agonis Flexuosa) which were growing in the area. During the 1980’s the gold boom was on and the area attracted successful colonists and entrepreneurs and it was the elite area of Perth. Many Federation period mansions can be found in Peppermint Grove. The Presbyterian church built in 1896, was the first church in the area.

Peppermint Grove has a definite village atmosphere. There are some good cafes and restaurants just off Stirling Highway with some great little unique stores to stroll in and out of. Just across Stirling Hwy is a shopping mall which is currently undergoing renovation.

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Mosman Park sits on the Swan River just east of the city in one of Perth’s upmarket and pretty suburbs. Several of the streets have won garden awards over the years and they proudly display this fact. Homes vary from old and pleasantly humble to very grand and huge, many with wonderful views over the river. When settlers first came to this area, they found densely wooded areas of tuarts, jarrahs, red gum, banksias, native pines, hollies and peppermint trees and there was an abundance of birds. While much of the trees have given way to suburbia, the area still gives a very tranquil and relaxing feel and this can certainly be seen with the many yachts and small boats which moor in the bay.

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Lake Monger and its reserve is located in Wembley, just 5 kms north of downtown Perth. Prior to Perth’s beginnings and the early settlers, the lake was an important Aboriginal hunting and camping ground. Kangaroo, emu, tortoise, snakes as well as mudfish, gilgies and water birds and their eggs were the main food sources. The European settlers arrived at the end of the 1800’s and moved into the area and the lake was given its name in honour of pioneer John Henry Monger. In the earlier years, the lake was a major aquatic venue for yachting, rowing and swimming.

Location : Lake Monger Drive, Leederville

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The Reserve and lake cover an area of 113 hectares and there is a 3.5km pedestrian path will runs around the lake’s shoreline taking on the Norfolk Pines, Phoenix Palms and Weeping Willlows which were planted in the 1930’s. The area has become an important feeding and breeding environment for waterbirds, migratory birds and tortoises. Other than the domestic ducks you can also see the great crested grebe, Australian grebe, Australian pelican, great cormorant, Australian shelduck, purple swamp hen, red wattlebird, and the singing honeyeater.

Location : Lake Monger Drive, Leederville

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The Aviation Museum is in Bullcreek just over the river from Perth. The museum houses 23 aircraft which include flying machines such as the Lancaster and the Sptifire and really it has the most extensive collection of such historic aircraft. This is the largest aviation museum of its kind in Australia. There is also a research library as well as a shop displaying memorabilia and books for enthusiasts.

Location : Bullcreek Drive, Bullcreek

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Website: http://www.raafawa.org.au/

This little miniature railway is set on the banks of the Canning River and was first set up by some model engineers in 1963. The land where the railway is set was originally the Castledare Boys Home. These initial enthusiasts went on to form a club who in turn ended up operating the longest club track in Australia at around 5kms and with a fleet of around 25 locomotives and more than 40 passenger carriages. Most of the fleet is privately owned.

For those enthusiasts, the miniature railway is a 7 ¼ inch gauge passenger carrying railway. The track winds its way through the Canning River Regional Park. By the main station is a bbq and picnic area which lie by the Canning River. This area is free to enjoy with only the rides charging a fee.

Location : Castledare Place, Wilson

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