Located in the Perth hills, 24 kilometres east of the centre of Perth, The Bibbulmun Track Northern Terminus in Kalamunda is the starting point for walkers heading south. Kalamunda can be found on Bibbulmun Track map 1 - The Darling Range.
In 1881, Frederick Stirk and his wife Elizabeth took up 10 acres of land, cleared it for agricultural purposes, and built a wattle and daub house. This was the origin of what is now the township of Kalamunda. In 1891, a rail link to Perth and Fremantle was established via a side link on the existing Perth to Midland line. This greatly increased the timber industry in the area, which, coupled with the need of agricultural produce to feed the massive population influx to W.A. in the Coolgardie/Kalgoorlie goldfields boom era, meant Kalamunda and its surrounds developed rapidly. The actual townsite of Kalamunda was approved in 1901. The name is derived from the Aboriginal words ‘Cala’ (home) and ‘Munnda’ (forest)—‘home in the forest’. At the turn of the century, the Premier of W.A. decided that the cities of Perth and Fremantle needed a sanatorium where people could escape from the bustling metropolis and enjoy fresh air and relaxation. Blocks in the hills were sold as holiday retreats, boarding houses, and convalescent retreats, establishing Kalamunda as a holiday town. Local businesses responded and in 1913 it was resolved that Kalamunda would be advertised as a ‘health resort’.
Handy contacts
Getting there
Kalamunda is located 24 kilometres east of the centre of Perth, and can be reached by a 30 minutes drive along the Great Eastern Highway, Great Eastern Highway Bypass, Kalamunda Road, Haynes Street and Railway Road.
Buses 296 and 299 go directly from Perth Esplanade City bus port to Kalamunda bus station, which is close to the Bibbulmun Track Northern Terminus. Visit Transperth for more information.
The next Track town south is Dwellingup, via the area of Mundaring which itself offers a range of walks and accommodation options. Dwellingup is located 96km south of Kalamunda, a drive of one hour and 20 minutes.
Accommodation & service providers
Kalamunda offers a variety of accommodation, as well as restaurants, pubs, cafés, delis, supermarkets and chemists. There are a few licensed transport providers in the Perth hills who are able to provide transfers to the Track for walkers. The Bibbulmun Track Accommodation & Services Guide has extensive information about walker-friendly services, their location in and between towns, and discounts offered to members. The Guide contains 144 pages of essential information at a cost of only $12 RRP.
For more information visit our day walk webpage and check out the Darling Range day walk map pack which has more suggestions.
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