The Canning Dam
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The dam is open to visitors until 5pm every day of the week.
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The Canning River has supplied water to Perth since 1924 when a pipehead dam was built near Araluen, 6km downstream from the present Canning Dam.
Although the need for a major reservoir had been recognised for many years, it was not until the Great Depression of the 1930s that the project was commenced.
The construction of Canning Dam, which began in 1933, was the State's biggest public works project during that troubled decade. It was a vast undertaking for the period and provided desperately needed work for 500 men and a valuable boost for local industry. By the time of its completion and official opening in 1940, Canning Dam had cost more than 1.1 million pounds.
At the western end of the valley, downstream from the dam wall, the workforce lived in their own township complete with post office, general store, recreation hall and school house. The only thing missing from a typical bush town was a hotel.
In 1951, the first of several major improvements was carried out to meet the demands of the growing city. A concrete lined channel was constructed to divert stream flow from the nearby Kangaroo Gully catchment.
In the 1970s, the Canning Tunnel was blasted through solid granite from Canning Dam to Roleystone to boost the water flow from the dam.
In 1998, work began to strengthen the dam wall to preserve the reservoir for future water needs. During the construction period, the dam wall was closed to visitors, but there was full access to picnic and barbecue areas and walking trails.
Barbecues and Picnics
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A day out at Canning Dam combines scenic beauty with an interesting flavour of Western Australian history.
You'll find plenty of picnic spots with free gas barbecues, drinking water and toilet facilities. A creek flows through the lower picnic area making it a particularly attractive picnic spot.
Walking trails
Walking trails around the dam have been specially planned to take you past historic features such as the old contour channel and stilling chamber. The trails are well signposted and range from a short stroll to longer distances for the more energetic.
Other walks lead across the dam wall and to signposted lookouts.
The area has abundant birdlife and early morning visitors may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of kangaroos in the surrounding bush.
How to get there
From Perth city centre, take Albany Highway towards Armadale. Just beyond the suburb of Kelmscott, turn left at traffic lights into Brookton Highway. Follow the highway to Roleystone, then turn right into Croyden Road. Follow the signs directly to Canning Dam, approximately 9km further. The dam is approximately 33km from the city centre.
The dam is open to visitors until 5pm every day of the week.
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Downloads
 | Canning Dam - Download the Canning Dam brochure and Sitemap |
Other Dams
Canning Dam is just one of the dams where the Water Corporation has provided facilities for your enjoyment.
Approximately half of Perth's water supply and most of the water distributed through the Goldfields and Agricultural System now comes from catchments in the Darling Range. These supply water of very high quality at a low cost to the community.
Your Safety & the Security of our Water Services
For your own safety when visiting our sites please ensure that you confine your movements to the signed and formed pathways, roads and recreational areas. Please recognise that there are uneven surfaces and walking hazards which may exist in the area due to the nature of its design and construction, and exercise caution at all times when moving about the area.
Please do:
- Follow and comply with all directional and informational signs.
- Always monitor the whereabouts of children as they explore the site.
- Report all safety hazards to the onsite Ranger, Staff or 13 13 75 (all hours)
- Report all unsafe, criminal or suspicious behaviour to the Ranger, Staff or 13 13 75 (all hours)
Please do not:
- Climb walls, fences or bridges.
- Climb on pipework or other operational infrastructure.
- Deface safety and security signs.
- Trespass into signposted operational and "No Entry" areas.
- Attempt to operate operational taps, valves or controls.
- Block emergency and operational access gates and roadways with vehicles.