Historical Sites and Landmarks

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Ellis House
Peninsula Farm
Peninsula Hotel
WA Ballet
Heritage Trails

The rich history of the City of Bayswater is embedded in our many heritage buildings and places.

As part of our Council Plan 2025 – 2035, the City's vision is for these to be protected, enhanced and celebrated.

Historical GROUPS

The City of Bayswater is proudly home to two historical groups that are open to new members.

Bayswater Historical Society

The Bayswater Historical Society is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting the history of all suburbs within the City of Bayswater, including those in the Central, North, South and West Wards.

Address: Halliday House, 114 King William Street, Bayswater
Opening hours: 9.30am – 12pm every Friday, and 1-4pm every fourth Sunday of the month, from February to November

Bayswater Historical Society website

Maylands Historical and Peninsula Association

The Maylands Historical and Peninsula Association Inc (MHPA) is a non-profit incorporated association focused on the history and heritage of the Perth suburb of Maylands, Western Australia.

Visit displays in the Old Police Station, Guildford Road, Maylands
Open: Wednesdays between 9.30am and 3.30pm, and the first Saturday of each month between 10am and 2pm (except for January)

Maylands Historical and Peninsula Association website

HISTORICAL Sites and Local Landmarks

All of the historically significant properties listed are included on the City's Municipal Heritage Inventory (MHI).

For more information on the MHI and other heritage listed properties, click here.

Ellis House

Ellis House is located at 116 Milne Street in Bayswater.

Construction on Ellis House began in 1912, and the weatherboard building was originally the first local dairy farm in the Bayswater District.

In 1995, the City of Bayswater restored the property and it is now open to the public as a community art centre which is now referred to as Ellis House Community Art Centre.

For more information, please call 9271 9770 or visit the website.

Halliday House

The Bayswater Historical Society has transformed Halliday House into a Heritage Centre and Museum.

Located at 114 King William Street in Bayswater, this 1890s property contains photos and memorabilia from the early part of the century.

Halliday House is open to the public from 9.30am to 12pm every Friday, and 1 to 4pm every fourth Sunday of the month from February to November. Group bookings are welcome by appointment.

For more information, contact the Bayswater Historical Society by email at admin@bayswaterhistoricalsociety.org.au, by Facebook Messenger or visit them in person.

Peninsula Farm

Peninsula farm is located at 2c Johnson Street in Maylands.

The house was constructed by Joseph Hardey in 1839, and was the third property built on Peninsula Farm. As one of the first farms and the earliest residence still standing in the metropolitan area, it offers a unique opportunity to explore the first years of European settlement in Western Australia.

The property is open to the public Friday to Sunday 11.30pm to 3.00pm. Group bookings are welcome. Please visit the National Trust website for details or phone 9272 2630.

Peninsula Hotel

The Peninsula Hotel

The Peninsula Hotel, located at 221 Railway Parade, is a prominent landmark in the Maylands town centre. The circa 1906 hotel building was originally built and owned by Wilhelm Friederich Gustave Liebe. Mr Liebe was a well-known Perth building contractor. His other prominent projects include:

Queen’s Hall
His Majesty’s Theatre
the Public Art Gallery.

The building is a rare example of a richly detailed Edwardian Hotel in metropolitan Perth.

The local community and National Trust were successful in their efforts to prevent the demolition of the building in the 1970s, making it one of the earliest historic places in Western Australia to be saved through public outcry. The National Trust classified the building in 1974.

Today, the building is beautifully restored and is home to Dome Australia, which in 2013 won an award for their outstanding contribution to heritage at the Western Australian Heritage Awards.

Maylands Brickworks

Maylands Brickworks is located at 22 Swan Bank Road, Maylands.

The Maylands Brickworks is a substantial brick and iron industrial building that forms part of the historic Maylands Peninsula. The brickworks have been identified as an important example of brick-making technology. The kiln at the brickworks is the last remaining Hoffman kiln in Western Australia and is one of only four left in Australia.

The site is considered important for its contribution to the development of the suburb of Maylands and is one of the most distinctive landmarks in the area. The City is seeking funding to assist with repairs to this important heritage place. Click here to view the Maylands Brickworks advocacy document.

For more information on the Maylands Brickworks Reactivation, visit the Friends of Maylands Brickworks website or email friendsofmaylandsbrickworks@gmail.com.

WA Ballet

The West Australian Ballet Centre

The West Australian Ballet Centre is located ay 134 Whatley Crescent, Maylands. The building dates back to 1898 when the Governor of Western Australia, Sir Gerard Smith, laid the foundation stone for the Victoria Institute and Industrial School for the Blind. The institute originally had a number of buildings including a factory, workshop and residential facilities.

In 1937, the Lotteries Commission and the government funded the development which combined the original three buildings. The 1937 building is a fine example of the Inter-War Stripped Classical Style, and is one the few examples of a prominent Western Australian institution that features strong art deco detailing.

The iconic building was transformed from a neglected, run-down shell into what is now a world-class rehearsal and training facility, home to an elite ballet training school.

It was recognised in 2013 for Excellence In Adaptive Reuse and won the Gerry Gauntlett Award at the 2013 Western Australian Heritage Awards. The local community are also benefiting from the building and are encouraged to use the three equipped ballet studios that are available for hire on evenings and weekends.

For more information on the City's Historical Sites and Landmarks, contact the City's Strategic Planning team by:

calling 9272 0649 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm
emailing mail@bayswater.wa.gov.au.

Heritage Trails

Bayswater Town Centre Heritage Trail

The Bayswater Heritage Trail is a 20-30 minute walk through the Bayswater town centre.

There are 17 plaques throughout the town highlighting important heritage places along King William Street, Whatley Crescent, Murray Street and Hamilton Street, most of which were built or developed between 1894 and 1928.

The Bayswater Heritage Trail brochure providing details on the history and development of the Bayswater Town Centre and individual places with heritage significance.

Maylands Town Centre Heritage Trail

To celebrate and promote the rich heritage of the Maylands Town Centre, the City has created the Maylands Town Centre Heritage Trail and an accompanying information brochure.

The trail features 29 granite plaques and an information brochure which highlight some of the key buildings, people and events that shaped the development of Maylands.

The Maylands Heritage Trail brochure maps these sites and provides further details on their development.

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