A striking starting point for Bayswater is the contrast between its busy main street and riverfront. The town centre is an urban main street with its own distinct local character; the Swan River foreshore is one kilometre away. There is also local history, a walking path through the wetland, and connections for train travellers, cyclists and pedestrians. Anyone considering Bayswater as a place to stay can choose based on a specific focus: local history, nature and activity, or getting there.
Town Centre and Riverfront
The town centre is defined by a lively, urban main street. Riverside Gardens on the Bayswater foreshore offers a different point of reference. The park has barbecue facilities and public toilets. These amenities give visitors practical details to consider when spending time in the park, while the centre, with its own distinct local character, offers an urban focal point. The kilometre between the town centre and the Swan River foreshore makes the distinction between these two parts of the area tangible.
History Along the Heritage Trail
The Bayswater Heritage Trail consists of 17 plaques marking historic places along King William Street, Whatley Crescent, Murray Street and Hamilton Street. Ellis House offers a way to place local history in time: construction began in 1912. The house originally served as the local dairy for the Ellis family. The family immigrated from Britain in 1911; the City of Bayswater restored Ellis House in 1995. Immigration, use as a dairy, the start of construction and the restoration thus represent different chapters in the house’s history.
Halliday House offers another perspective on local heritage. The Bayswater Historical Society converted the house into a heritage centre and museum. Ellis House and Halliday House therefore represent different themes: Ellis House tells the story of its former use as a dairy and the Ellis family, while Halliday House is about its conversion into a heritage centre and museum. Anyone interested in local history will find both a family and land-use history, and a house that serves as a heritage centre and museum, in Bayswater.
Wetland and Activities
At the Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary, a walking path loops around the wetland. It is a popular walking route. An accessible area has also been created there, where people can experience the wetland. These two options differ in form: the path around the wetland and the accessible area for experiencing nature.
The Bayswater BMX and Mountain Bike Facility is another of the area’s specific activity options. It includes a pump track and a mountain bike practice area. Together with the walking path in the sanctuary, these offer a comparison between a loop through the wetland landscape and designated biking features. The Perth-Midland Principal Shared Path is a separate transport route: it gives cyclists and pedestrians access to Bayswater.
Getting There and Getting Around
Bayswater is on the Midland and Airport train lines, which run between Perth City and Midland. For pedestrians and cyclists, the Perth-Midland Principal Shared Path runs along the railway line as a protected cycle path. It is also suitable for prams, scooters, roller skates and wheelchairs. The train lines and shared path offer different ways to plan a journey: train services on the lines listed above, and access for cyclists and pedestrians via the path.
These distinctions can help when choosing where to stay in Bayswater. The town centre, riverfront, the history of the two houses and the different paths in the area each appeal to different interests. Anyone primarily interested in exploring local history has a clear starting point in the 17 plaques and Ellis House; those focused on activity can look to the walking path, pump track, practice area and shared path.
Discover more destinations: Wonnerup, Kingston, Port Kennedy, North Fremantle, Cuballing, Denham, Mount Helena, Binningup.
For the main travel overview: Western Australia.
