Tucked just below the impressive Mundaring Weir wall, No1 Pump Station is a must‑visit if you’re keen to combine a family day out in the Perth Hills with a dose of WA history. The beautiful red brick building has been thoughtfully restored by the National Trust and offers a fascinating look at how water was first pumped from Mundaring to the Goldfields more than a century ago. It’s an easy extra stop if you’re already exploring the dam, and a great way to help kids understand the story behind this iconic landmark rather than just admiring the views.
Inside, the museum is spread across two vast rooms, starting in the boiler room. You’re immediately struck by the sheer scale of the machinery – the huge steam-driven boilers that once burned coal and local timber to create the steam needed to run the pumps. Even for younger visitors, the sight of these enormous metal giants is pretty impressive, and the industrial setting gives a real sense of what it must have been like to work here in its heyday.
From the boiler room you move through to the pump room, where the restored “A Engine” still sits proudly. The other two engines were removed in the 1960s, but with this one remaining in place, it’s easy to picture how the station once ran at full capacity.
These engines pumped water from Mundaring Weir all the way to Kalgoorlie along the 560km Goldfields pipeline, operating until the 1950s when an electric pump station next door took over. Standing beside the machinery, you really appreciate the engineering genius – and the physical effort – behind keeping the Goldfields supplied with fresh water.
No1 Pump Station isn’t just about looking at old machines, though. There’s an engaging interactive exhibition which does a great job of bringing the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme to life for families.
Kids can follow the path of the pipeline and “pump” water through the different stations along the way from Perth to Kalgoorlie, helping them understand how the system works in a fun, hands-on way.
A brilliant scale model of the pipeline, made by local Year 5 students, is another highlight that helps children visualise the route and the remoteness of the towns it serves.
Throughout the displays, you’ll learn about the scheme’s designer, WA’s chief engineer CY O’Connor, who also oversaw the construction of Fremantle’s port. Panels share how the project was once dubbed “the scheme of madness” and explore both its enormous success and the personal toll it took on O’Connor, whose tragic death is part of WA’s history. The exhibition also weaves in a strong water-wise message, helping kids connect the story of the pipeline with modern conversations about where our water comes from and how precious it is.
Once you’ve finished exploring inside, it’s only a short walk across the nearby bridge to enjoy the surroundings of Mundaring Weir itself. Here you’ll find picnic and BBQ facilities right by the weir wall, along with toilet facilities, making it easy to turn your visit into a relaxed half-day outing. Pack a picnic, let the kids burn off some energy, and enjoy the views over the dam after your museum visit.
For families heading to Mundaring Weir, No1 Pump Station is well worth adding to your itinerary. It offers an engaging mix of local history, big-scale machinery, interactive learning, and beautiful scenery right on the doorstep. Whether you’re raising little engineers, history buffs, or just curious kids, this museum adds real depth and meaning to a day out at one of Perth’s most significant heritage sites.
No1 Pump Station, Mundaring Weir
Address: No1 Pump Station, Mundaring Weir Road, Mundaring, WA
Opening Hours:
Saturday & Sunday: 12pm – 4pm
Public Holidays: 12pm – 4pm (closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and during February)
Official Website: No1 Pump Station – National Trust listing
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Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life” has enjoyed an exciting name change in 2021, as “The Chef’s Ex-wife” embarks on new adventures with Simply PERTHfect. Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA, as well as brunching, tapas or something a little fancy in equal measures. With her son “Little Chef” in tow, Amanda always has plenty of family friendly eating options to recommend too! Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
[…] boards on the history of the weir. If you want to delve into this further, be sure to head to the No 1 Pump Station museum at the base of the […]