Bayswater, Western Australia

Bayswater Perth, Western Australia
Bayswater Location in metropolitan Perth
Coordinates	31°54′40″S 115°55′08″E / 31.911°S 115.919°ECoordinates: 31°54′40″S 115°55′08″E / 31.911°S 115.919°E
Population	13,525 (2011 census)[1]
• Density	1,353/km^2 (3,503/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	6053
Area	10.0 km^2 (3.9 sq mi)
Location	9 km (6 mi) from Perth
LGA(s)	City of Bayswater
State electorate(s)	Maylands, Bassendean
Federal Division(s)	Perth
Suburbs around Bayswater: Embleton Morley Eden Hill Bedford Bayswater Bassendean Maylands Ascot Ashfield

Bayswater is a northeastern suburb of Perth, Western Australia. It is on the northern side of the Swan River, approximately 6 kilometres north of the Perth city centre.

History

Aboriginal people of the Noongar language group originally inhabited the Bayswater area, the occupants of the north bank of the Swan being among Yellagonga’s people, who ranged systematically over a wide area of the coastal plain. The population was rich and complex in culture, sparse in number and nomadic in habit. Its movements were governed by the seasonal availability of food. The Aborigines were hunters and gatherers, who regularly burnt the bush to assist them in both pursuits. They concentrated their activities in the most fertile areas, including the peninsula in nearby Maylands. A large Aboriginal base camp, at least 4,500 years old lies under the Tonkin Highway, just to the north of Guildford Road.^[2]

The initial European settlement of Western Australia began in 1829, following the second landing of James Stirling in June of that year. Development was initially sparse along the route of Guildford Road, and Bayswater remained predominately undeveloped until the 1880s. Suburban development began in earnest following the opening of the Fremantle to Guildford railway line in 1881, and Bayswater grew significantly in the period between 1885 and 1920.^[3]

Governance

Bayswater lies within the local government area of the City of Bayswater, which also incorporates the suburbs of Bedford, Embleton, Morley, and parts of Maylands, Mount Lawley, Noranda and Dianella.

Transport

Bayswater is serviced by the Bayswater railway station and the Meltham railway station on the Midland railway line, with commuter services between Midland and Perth. The Whatley Train Station, which was located in the eastern part of Bayswater near the intersection of Wyatt Road and Higgins Way, was demolished in 1957 following the closure of the Belmont railway line in 1956.

Guildford Road links Bayswater to Perth and Midland by road. Tonkin Highway is a major artery road crossing northwest - southeast through Bayswater.

Sporting clubs

Bayswater is home to the Bayswater City Soccer Club at Frank Drago Reserve.

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Bayswater (WA) (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
2. City of Bayswater Municipal Heritage Inventory
3. City of Bayswater Municipal Heritage Inventory