A freshwater swim, a lakeside picnic and easy bike trails at Lake Leschenaultia in Chidlow, an 1890s railway reservoir in the Perth Hills.
When it’s hot and the coast is packed, I head for the hills. Lake Leschenaultia in Chidlow is a freshwater lake in the bush where you can swim, paddle and picnic under the gums. It started life as a dam for steam trains, which makes it one of the more unusual swimming holes around Perth.
Quick facts
- Where: Rosedale Road, Chidlow, in the Shire of Mundaring
- Getting there: about an hour’s drive from the Perth CBD
- What to do: swim, canoe hire in summer, picnics, walk trails and about 12 km of mountain bike trails
- Facilities: cafe, toilets, BBQs, picnic areas, playground, campground and a pump track
- History: built around 1898 as a railway reservoir, on the State Register since 2005
From steam train dam to swimming hole
According to the State heritage record, the Railways Department built the reservoir around 1898 to supply water to steam trains on the Eastern Railway. It was the biggest reservoir on that line. In 1947 the site was leased to the Mundaring Roads Board for recreation, it was officially named Lake Leschenaultia in 1949, and locals have been swimming in it ever since.
A swim, a paddle and a picnic
The lake is the main event. It’s fresh water, so no salt and no sand in everything, and the picnic areas around it have plenty of shade. Canoe hire runs in summer, and there are BBQs, a cafe, toilets and a playground near the water. Recent Google reviewers are big fans.
“Amazing place to go for a chill day with your family. Super safe for kids.”
Simona B, March 2026, Google review
“Great swimming lake nice clean water with bbq’s etc and plenty of shade.”
William T, February 2026, Google review
A couple of tips. Camping, canoe hire and picnic area bookings cost money, so check the Shire of Mundaring’s current fees before you go. The lake can also close on high fire danger days in summer, so check before you drive up. And dogs and fishing aren’t allowed.
Trails for walkers and riders
If you’d rather move than float, Trails WA lists nine mountain bike trails here, about 12 km in total, mostly suited to beginner and intermediate riders. Shakes N Ladders is the one with the jumps. There are easy walking loops around the lake too, plus a pump track by the car park. Trails WA lists the gates as opening at 8:30am (8am on weekends) and closing 30 minutes after sunset.
Make a hills day of it
Chidlow is right at the end of the old Eastern Railway, so this pairs nicely with the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail and the Swan View Tunnel walk in John Forrest National Park. For a beer on the way home, the Parkerville Tavern is a short drive back down the hill, and the Sunday drive to Mundaring Weir is close by too. If you like a freshwater swim, try Serpentine Falls or a picnic at Champion Lakes.
Featured image: Lake Leschenaultia by Gnangarra, CC BY 2.5 AU via Wikimedia Commons, cropped.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Swimming is one of the main reasons people visit. It’s a freshwater lake with shaded picnic areas, BBQs, toilets and a cafe nearby. Always supervise kids around the water.
