Statham's Quarry - Perth's Abandoned Mine

Post

Subscribe

Statham's Quarry in the Perth Hills is an abandoned stone mine and rock crushing plant which has become a popular spot for photographers, bush walkers and rock climbers.



Situated just a one minute walk off the Zig Zag Scenic drive in Gooseberry Hill, Statham's Quarry was shut down in 1957 after a bushfire rendered it inoperable. Since closing the DEC has installed abseiling and rock climbing facilities, making it a popular haunt for adventure seekers.

The horseshoe-shaped rock wall reaches up to 30 metres, with many climbing spots ranging from easy angled slopes to big overhangs and slippery vertical straights. The quarry is the closest natural rock wall open to climbers in Perth.



At the base of the old quarry is its rock crushing plant, abandoned, dilapidated and partially retaken by nature. The plant is fenced off but - as with everything - there's always ways through for inquisitive minds.

The claustrophobic interior of the abandoned mine building is a little difficult to get around, but is well worth a look. As with many abandoned places around Perth graffiti artists have plied their trade, turning the remains into an urban mosaic.



The rock crushing plant provided the material for many of Perth's early 1900s footpaths and even the City Beach groyne. As is the case with much of the history of the area, the quarry's fate was closely linked with the nearby Zig Zag drive, formerly a railway pass for the Upper Darling Range railway.

From the vistas above the quarry to the striking dolerite rock face, Statham's Quarry is a gem for photography. The rock wall transits between deep greys and vivid reds, beautifully intermixing with the surrounding bushland. Morning and evening shadows bring out the best as the imposing surface casts its figure over the landscape.



Bushwalking is another popular activity in the region with many kilometres of trails winding throughout the escarpment. The trails take you deep into valleys full of wildflowers and to the top of the hills, showcasing some fantastic lookouts over the Darling Ranges and Perth Coastal Plain. Features of the region include dense scrubland, a plethora of wildflowers, endemic fauna and flora and striking rocky outcrops scattered throughout the area.

A perfect spot for adventurers, Statham's Quarry and abandoned crushing plant offers curious minds a wealth of opportunity within an important piece of Perth's history.

#adventure
#gooseberry_hill
#helena_valley
#kalamunda
#mines
#outdoor
#perth_hills
#views
#walks
%wnperth