Parkerville, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Parkerville Perth, Western Australia
Parkerville General Store
Postcode(s)	6081
LGA(s)	Shire of Mundaring
State electorate(s)	Swan Hills
Federal Division(s)	Hasluck
Suburbs around Parkerville: Red Hill Gidgegannup Gidgegannup Hovea Parkerville Stoneville Mahogany Creek Mundaring Mundaring

Parkerville is a lovely suburb located in the Shire of Mundaring in Perth, Western Australia. It's a place where nature and history meet.

The beautiful Jane Brook flows right through Parkerville. This brook continues its journey down to the Swan River. It passes through the amazing John Forrest National Park along the way.

Parkerville's Past: A Look Back

First People of the Land

The Nyoongar people were the very first caretakers of the land where Parkerville now stands. They lived here for thousands of years. When British settlers arrived in 1829, life changed for the Nyoongar people in the hills behind Perth. The area that became Parkerville was opened for new settlers in June 1895.

The Arrival of the Railway

Parkerville was one of the first stops built on the old railway line. This line used to run between Bellevue and Mount Helena. The railway opened in 1896, bringing new life to the area.

The Railway Hotel, which is now known as the Parkerville Tavern, opened its doors in 1902. It was a popular spot for travellers and locals.

How Parkerville Got Its Name

The town was named to honour Stephen Henry Parker. He was a very important lawyer in Perth. His country home, which is now called the Old Mahogany Inn, was located nearby.

Sister Kate's Children's Home

In 1903, a kind woman named Katherine Mary Clutterbuck, also known as Sister Kate, bought some land in Parkerville. She bought about 20 acres (81,000 m²) of land. Here, she started the "League of Charity Home" for children. This home later became famous as the Parkerville Children's Home.

A historic cemetery for the Parkerville Children's Home is about three kilometres east of the main building. A nearby creek, Clutterbuck Creek, is named after Sister Kate's parents. In 1909, a chapel was finished at the home. The famous artist Sally Morgan wrote about the orphanage in her book, My Place. She shared how her three-year-old grandmother, Gladys, was taken there.

The Railway's New Path

In 1966, the old railway line through Parkerville was closed. The railway route was changed to go through the Avon Valley instead. The old railway path has now become the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail. It's a wonderful path for walking and horse riding.

Parkerville Amphitheatre: A Place for Fun

The Parkerville Amphitheatre was a special place. It was owned and run by John Joseph Jones. This amphitheatre and other spots nearby have been used to film children's TV shows. One show filmed here was Parallax.

In 2015, a documentary about John Joseph Jones and the amphitheatre was released. It was called "Parkerville Amphitheatre: Sets, Bugs and Rock 'n Roll." You can find it online to watch!

Modern Parkerville Challenges

By the early 2000s, Perth was growing quickly. This growth started to bring more development to Parkerville. In January 2014, a big bushfire sadly destroyed some houses in Parkerville and nearby areas.

Learning in Parkerville: Local Schools

Parkerville is a great place for learning! There are three schools in the suburb:

• Parkerville Primary School
• Silver Tree Steiner School
• Mundaring Christian College

Getting Around Parkerville: Transport

Bus Services

You can catch a bus to get around Parkerville and to other places.

•        Route 320: Travels from Midland Station to Mundaring. It uses Great Eastern Highway.
•        Route 328: Goes from Midland Station to Chidlow. This route uses Great Eastern Highway, Seaborne Street, Byfield Road, and Richardson Road.