Interim heritage listing for Yanchep park landmarks

A collection of landmarks in the Yanchep National Park have received interim listing in Western Australia's Register of Heritage Places. 

Heritage Minister Jim McGinty said the Yanchep Inn and garden, Gloucester Lodge, the tram cottages, army bunkers, McNess Guest House, the Ghost House ruin, and the park administration building satisfied the criteria for listing set by the Heritage Council of Western Australia. 

"Yanchep has been a popular destination for holidaymakers and day trippers for decades - with many of the old buildings in the park established during the 1930's as a resort complex," Mr McGinty said. 

"The Yanchep Inn - a two-storey predominantly stone building - was completed in 1936 and contains the only visitor accommodation available in the park. 

"During the Second World War, the RAAF used the building as a convalescent and rehabilitation unit." 

Mr McGinty said Gloucester Lodge was built in 1934 by depression labour and named after the Duke of Gloucester, who visited the park during the same year. 

"The building was originally operated as a guest house, but now functions as a museum," he said. 

McNess Guest House provided the first accommodation for park visitors and was named after Sir Charles McNess - whose donations helped establish the park. 

Mr McGinty said the army bunkers were one of the remaining links with activities in the park during the Second World War, when it was taken over by the armed services. 

"The tram cottages are a unique aspect of the park, having been brought to Yanchep in the early 1930s," he said.

"The trams have been set on a stone base and are covered by an open timber frame with corrugated iron roof.  They were used as accommodation for visitors and for workers employed in the park." 

Mr McGinty said the Ghost House ruin was of interest as a historic site and because of its association with L.E. Shapcott - a controversial public servant in the 1930s.

"The Administration building served as both office and residence for the park superintendent," he said.

Mr McGinty said the Yanchep landmarks chosen for inclusion in the register provided a perfect example of the diverse history of the park. 

"They range from striking architectural styles to concrete army bunkers - but all have played an important part in the development of the park," the Minister said.