Gwelup

The name "Gwelup" refers to a small swamp located within the southern portion of the suburb. It was derived from the Aboriginal word "Gwelgannow" meaning "to shift position". Hence, Lake Gwelup was referred to as "the lake that shifts position".

Land near Lake Gwelup was first granted to Thomas Mews in 1831. It passed through several owners, including William Osborne, before being acquired by Henry Bull of Sydney in 1891. Gwelup was subdivided by Bull during 1898 and 1899; however, development was relatively slow and the land was mainly used for market gardens in the early years as the presence of the wetlands meant the soil was more fertile than in other areas.  The Lake Gwelup and District Progress Association was formed in 1923, with the majority of its members being market gardeners.  Their stated aim was “the promotion of the general welfare of all the residents and the material advancement of the district.” The Progress Association also decided to build a hall in the area and set about fund raising.  They achieved enough funds to purchase a block of land, but not enough to add the building, which was expected to cost about three hundred pounds, although they continued to fund raise for the next decade.

In 1961 the Council began the process of rezoning land in Gwelup from rural to residential, and the resulting increase in the cost of land and rates encouraged many market gardeners to sell up and move out to Wanneroo. From the 1970's Gwelup transformed from a rural area to a modern residential suburb. Only a few market gardens along North Beach Road remain as a reminder of earlier times.  100 acres of land were reserved for the building of an interchange for the Northern Perimeter Freeway (Mitchell Freeway) in 1967, concerning MLA for Balcatta Herb Graham, who thought that the market gardeners would lose out by not wanting to start again when they lost half of their property. The freeway went through the area in 1982.

The type and style of residential dwellings contained within Gwelup varies considerably, ranging from early market garden cottages to recently designed two storey developments. New subdivisions, including Karrinyup Waters and Settlers Green, contain modern architecturally designed homes. Along North Beach Road there are remnants of older, rural-style housing. These character homes are gradually being renovated or replaced by new developments. Gwelup has significant areas of public open space scattered throughout the residential area, offering meeting places and recreational opportunities for the local and wider community. Lake Gwelup preserves a significant part of the natural environment, while allowing passive recreation. There are also tennis courts and cycle paths located on the Lake Gwelup Reserve. The City of Stirling has an environmental management plan for the reserve.  Friends of Lake Gwelup assist in the care of the bushland.  Gwelup Neighbourhood Shopping Centre provides for daily shopping needs.

Local students attend Lake Gwelup Primary School, which celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2004.  Along with many other organisations, the school produced and buried a time capsule during the 1979 reunion. 1979 was the celebration of the sesquicentenary of settlement of the Swan River Colony.

Careniup Swamp was first recorded as part of a survey in 1844. The name "Karrinyup" appears to have derived from this swamp, which is located on the northern boundary of Gwelup.The position of Lake Gwelup was first recorded by the Land Department in 1878. On early surveys the lake was marked as a swamp.