Guildford Things to Do

The commissariat store was built in 1853. Lieutenant Edmund du Cane who built the store was responsible for supervising the convict work parties in the area constructing roads and buildings. At the back was a long store which held construction equipment and materials. The building was vacated by the convict department in 1878 and was then used by the local council. Today it is the headquarters of the Garrick Theatre.

This house was built in 1852 and was originally part of the Convict Depot which was built by Lieutenant DuCane. This was his living and office quarters. The house still has its original five rooms and the detached storeroom and stable are still standing. The house is now privately owned but considered to be of historic interest.

This is one of the popular riverside parks for families and picnickers. There are wood bbq facilities, picnic tables and a boat ramp which is suitable for launching canoes or small boats. Good fishing site.

Today the hotel has its own micro-brewery ‘Inchant Brewing’ which uses techniques from the original days. There is a restaurant and motel units.

The Halls Museum, is at the back of the Rose and Crown which claims to have the largest private collection of diverse memorabilia in the southern hemisphere. Some of the displays include inkwells, corkscrews and evening bags – most of which you will not find elsewhere. Tues–Sun 10am–4.30pm.

The Rose and Crown is the oldest trading hotel in Western Australia. It was established in 1841 by Thomas Jecks. There are rumours that there are tunnels that lead from the Rose and Crown down to the Swan River.

Renovations both in the 1850s with additions in the 1880s, have been in keeping with the buildings heritage. The cellars are even the original ones.

A few alterations have been made to the original design of the Stirling Arms Hotel which now makes it completely different to the simple two storey colonial Georgian design which had verandahs on three sides – shame really. The rear of the building still shows the early building and has been less altered than the rest of the building. The hotel has a restaurant, function room and bottle shop.

The Mechanics Institute was built in 1865 and its purpose was to improve the education of the local tradesmen. Today it is the headquarters of the Swan-Guildford Historical Society.

They are open from 2.00pm to 5.00pm on Sundays.

Riversleigh is a beautiful old home on Swan Street. Also known as Crosslands House, it was built in 1896 at a time when Guildford was a fashionable outer suburb of Perth for many wealthy and prominent citizens. Originally built for Charles Crossland who was a surveyor and land agent in Perth. He was known during the 1890’s for his work laying out the railway line to Midland. He wanted to live somewhere peaceful and more rural and Perth and chose Guildford. The house is complete with cellar and servants quarters and has a lovely art nouveau turret which really sets it off. The house is not open for inspection