Comprising Swan Location 9547, being Crown Reserve 1667, and being the whole of the land comprised in Crown Land Record Volume 3047 Folio 572.

 

Sunset Hospital is one of the largest original and intact early twentieth century public health facilities in the State (and possibly the country). Its site planning and building design, represents the health care policies and practices of the time and throughout its development and operation over the last century.
It is a unique example of the type of government sponsored housing for homeless and vagrant men in the State in the early twentieth century.

The buildings (constructed from large stone blocks quarried locally) generally display a high degree of homogeneity and, united by the landscaped open spaces, collectively form an historic precinct.

It is a recognised and important landmark which can easily be identified from the river and other areas around Melville Water.

Its association with prominent architect Mr Hillson Beasley who, as Chief Architect at the Public Works Department, was ultimately responsible for the original site planning and building design, and the involvement of Mr William Padbury (pioneer, pastoralist, merchant and philanthropist).

 

Sunset Hospital occupies a unique site neighbouring the Swan River mid way between Perth and Fremantle on an escarpment. It consists of original hospital wards, mortuary, kitchen, infirmary - vintage 1904 limestone buildings. Included in the site are over a 100 year old majestic native and other trees, and native bushland. It is a tranquil and inspiring place which can be seen from many vantage points around the Swan River.

This place has outstanding heritage value to the nation due to it early association with the Swan River Colony and the first years of Federation, it presents a unique cultural history by its limestone buildings, its location and its flora. Its value to tourism is also unique with access by water from the Swan estuary, by cycle way from Perth City and by road from Perth along the Swan foreshore, and from Fremantle. Being a headland it possesses sweeping views to the east and south over the expansive Swan estuary to the Darling Range. An aspect of this kind over water in metropolitan Perth in particular, and elsewhere in Western Australia, is a very limited natural asset.

The site has been owned by the State - Crown since 1830 and is one of the first A class permanent reserves in the State.

The site was originally created as Public Reserve No 1667, for the purpose of Recreation in 1890. In December 1899, an Act to secure the permanency of certain reserves was assented to. This enabled the classification Reserves into Classes A, B or C, and if a Reserve was classified as A by the Governor, then the Act stated, such land shall be forever dedicated for the purpose declared until an Act of Parliament otherwise provided.

In May 1900 Reserve No 1667 was one of the first A Class Permanent Reserves classified by His Excellency the Administrator with its stated purpose being Recreation. This purpose was subsequently changed by Act of Parliament, Act No 13, in 1904 to Old Mens Depot site. Building works commenced in 1904, with the construction of Ward Block A, B and C, Mortuary, Kitchen Block and Infirmary (Administration) buildings, with the first inmates admitted in March 1906. The site was used and developed for that purpose up until its closure.

The first buildings were constructed under the direction of the State Public Works Department. Prominent architect HiIlson Beasley who was the chief architect at the Public Works Department was ultimately responsible for the original site planning and building design. These buildings included the first wards, the mortuary, a kitchen and the infirmary. Originally in the bush land this site was isolated from mainstream. The original heritage buildings were built from limestone acquired from nearby Point Resolution.

In 1906 the home was proclaimed a poor house and 350 inmates were admitted. The Estate of William and Padbury (1820 to 1907) assisted with the development of this poor house for old men. From 1905 the site had a 260 foot long wooden jetty until due to lack of maintenance it was demolished at the end of World War 2.

There were more than 750 residents accommodated at the site during the depression.
In 1943 the home changed its name to Sunset and in 1965 woman were admitted for the first time.
Sunset hospital was classified by the National Trust in 1993 and entered on the State's Heritage Register in 1997.

In 1995 Sunset Hospital was closed.

The site is uncommonly intact, undisturbed or changed, and there has been little damage since its construction and establishment.