Not many of us had even heard of the Whistlepipe Gully Walk, but what a hidden treasure we found this walk to be!
The Whistlepipe Gully is part of the Mundy Regional Park in the Shire of Kalamunda. There is a stream that tumbles down over a rocky, granite boulder strewn valley, to the coastal plain below the Darling Scarp.
There is a 3.5 kilometre walk trail leading from the end of Lewis Road up the slope to the western end of Orange Valley Road. Along the way we were gifted with beautiful views out over the city.
Y Striders had chosen the perfect Sunday morning for a short springtime stroll. We were rewarded with warm weather, a path that had enough challenges, beautiful wildflowers, plus a running stream. We made our way up the path and then turned, crossed the stream and headed back down the other side.
The picnic lunch stop was at the remaining foundations of a house that was once built on the stream. Upon further investigation, we discovered that this had been built in the style of “Organic Architecture”. It incorporated granite boulders as walls, included trees growing up through the floor, a sloped roof with raw timber beams and suspended walkways, all of this using the stream as the central feature. Although this sounds rather delightful, the house is now long gone.
After lunch it was only a short 500metres back to the car park before heading home or off to have a coffee.
Thanks to Ann for organising, and Graeme and Bill who investigated the walk, walked the walk and prepared comprehensive notes for the day.
J Freeman
