About Our Shire
Shire Overview, Location and Key Facts
Welcome to the Perth Hills
The Shire of Mundaring is a thriving local government area in the heart of the Perth Hills — just 35 minutes from the CBD, but a world away in lifestyle. With its expansive bushland, vibrant town centres, and strong sense of community, it’s a place where people come to live well, work locally, and connect deeply with nature.
Whether you’re planning a move, launching a business, or looking for a place to put down roots, the Shire of Mundaring offers the best of both worlds — space to breathe and everything you need close by.
Location and accessibility
From town centres to tranquil bush blocks, the Shire’s geography supports a wide range of lifestyles and work opportunities. Its central location in the Perth Hills makes it easy to stay connected to the city, airport, and surrounding regions:
- 35km east of Perth via Great Eastern Highway
- Close to Midland and Perth Airport
- Well-connected through public transport and road networks
- Gateway to the Darling Range and Swan Valley.
Covering 645 square kilometres, the Shire stretches across diverse landscapes — from established neighbourhoods to rural properties and national parks.
Key facts
- Population: Approx. 38,000
- Established: 1903
- Area: 645 square kilometres
- Communities and suburbs: 30+ townsites and localities across the Foothills, Hills and Rural communities — each offering a distinct lifestyle
- Council representation: 9 elected Councillors across four wards – Central, East, South and West including the Shire President who is elected by the community.
- Lifestyle: Bushwalking, trails, arts, local markets, and strong community networks
- Natural attractions: Lake Leschenaultia, John Forrest and Beelu National Parks
- Recreation: 150+ walking and cycling trails, including the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail.
A great place to live, work and grow
From young families and creatives to retirees and entrepreneurs, people are drawn to the Shire for its character, lifestyle, and community spirit. The Shire supports its residents and businesses through inclusive planning, local infrastructure, and a shared vision for a sustainable future.
Our History and Heritage
Honouring the past, preserving the future
The Noongar people were the original inhabitants of this region. The name Mundaring comes from a local Aboriginal camp known as “Mundahring”, meaning “a high place on a high place” in the Noongar language.
The Shire of Mundaring sits on Whadjuk Noongar Country, and we respectfully acknowledge their deep and enduring connection to this land — past, present and future.
European settlement
European exploration of the hills began soon after the Swan River Colony was founded in 1829. Chidlow’s Well, now Chidlow, was the Shire’s earliest official townsite, gazetted in 1831.
European settlement followed in the 1840s, with land used primarily for timber-cutting, quarrying, vineyards, orchards, and poultry farming.
The area was formally established as the Greenmount Road District in 1903, later becoming the Shire of Mundaring in 1961.
Many townsites, including Darlington, Glen Forrest and Parkerville, grew around railway stations and sawmills — shaping the Shire’s distinctive village layout and community life.
Trails, heritage and natural attractions
The Railway Reserves Heritage Trail traces the path of the original Eastern Railway, stretching 59km through the Shire. It links our historic towns, natural attractions and heritage sites — and is a favourite for walking, cycling and storytelling.
Today, the Shire is home to 144 heritage-listed places, including 26 on the State Register of Heritage Places.
Notable heritage and natural sites include:
- Mundaring Weir and Pump Station No.1
- Swan View Tunnel – WA’s first rail tunnel
- John Forrest, Beelu and Greenmount National Parks
- Lake Leschenaultia – a former railway reservoir, now a popular swimming and picnic spot
- Karakamia Wildlife Sanctuary
- Trails including the Bibbulmun Track, Munda Biddi Trail, C.Y. O’Connor Trail and Kep Track.
