Hillarys Boat Harbour

Article by: Elizabeth
Last updated: Tuesday, 11-Jul-2006 00:00:00 CEST

Although primarily a boat sanctuary, Hillarys Harbour it has been established as a popular tourist precinct with a large selection of specialty shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, accommodation and a leisure park with water slides and mini golf. The Aquarium of Western Australia is located in the harbour as well. It successfully caters for beach goers, tourists and local residents.

Most Recent Pages

Construction of Hillarys Boat Harbour began in September 1985 and boat launching facilities were completed in November 1986. Just in time for the America's Cup Challenge Series.

The harbour has water access ramps and a fishing platform for the disabled along with boat launching ramps, 2000 parking spaces, cycle and walk paths and park areas. Diving trails are available on reefs adjoined to the breakwater. The breakwater is a very popular spot for recreational fishing.

Hillarys Boat Harbour has regular ferry services to Rottnest Island. Whale watching tours also depart from the harbour.

There are several parks in the suburb, notably the picturesque Mawson's Park and Hillary's Beach Park, with two viewing decks looking out to the ocean. Shopping facilities are excellent, with Whitford City on the northern side of the suburb. Travel into Perth is via the freeway or by train from Whitfords Station (18 minutes).

Introduction & History:
Hillarys Boat Harbour was the first such major marina in the north metropolitan region.

For the Hillarys development, the then Department of Marine and Harbours selected a site which opens into the partly sheltered waters of the Marmion lagoon, and is well connected to the regional road system. Some four and a half years of coastal research showed that the Harbour would have a low impact on the adjacent shoreline.

Cost economy was a significant factor favouring the site, but safety of use (particularly in deteriorating weather) and limited environmental impact were also of prime importance.

Construction of the new Harbour commenced in September 1985. Boat launching facilities were completed in October 1986 and boats started moving into pen moorings two months later, just before the start of the America's Cup Challenge Series.

Located 13 nautical miles north of Fremantle, Hillarys Boat Harbour provides a convenient departure point for visitors to Rottnest. Although primarily a Boat Harbour, the Harbour complex incorporates many community and recreational features to cater for beach goers, tourists and local residents. Its breakwaters are popular for recreational fishing and diving trails are located on the adjoining reefs. Boat launching ramps have been provided, along with parking for more than 2000 cars, convenient cycle paths, walkways and parklands for public use.

The Hillarys Boat Harbour was officially opened by the then Premier of Western Australia the Honourable Brian Burke on 15 January, 1988.

History

Hillarys was named after one of its early settlers.

A Gallipoli war veteran, Bertram John Hillarys, built the first shack on the beach just north of where Hillarys Boat Harbour now stands.

Bert, who lost the sight of his right eye fighting on the beaches of Turkey during World War 1, came to the area during the Depression while fishing for a living with his brother Harry.

Bert built a boatshed on the beach in 1930. A dormitory was added to accommodate his growing family for weekends and holidays. Before roads were built, Bert drove his 1929 Chevrolet through the bush carting his wife and four children, with their cockatoo, cat and tame kookaburra. The nearest store at North Beach was a three mile walk away. Bert Hillarys died in 1957. His shack and the fourteen or so others surrounding it were destroyed during a fierce storm in 1964.