Destination-Perth-2025-HR-nocrops (1) - Flipbook - Page 75
TOODYAY BAKERY
JURAKINE COACH HOUSE, NORTHAM
AVON VALLEY ITINERARIES
NATURE WANDERERS
5.50AM // HOT AIR BALLOONING
The day begins in Northam
floating in a hot air balloon, like a
dream, over a magic patchwork
quilt of rolling hills, lush green fields
and meandering streams. From
April to late November, Windward
Balloon Adventures and Liberty
Balloon Flights have been creating
special memories for customers
for years.
9.50AM // BURLONG POOL
Take about two hours to stroll the
relatively easy Dorntji KoorlingBurlong Pool riverside hike, and
admire various native birds along
the way. You’ll see black and white
swans, spoonbills, ducks, herons
and coots. Stop at Burlong Pool
and cast a handful of sand into
the water as a mark of respect
to its status as an important
Aboriginal site, the summer home
of the Wagyl (Rainbow Serpent).
1PM // PICNIC
Make your way to Toodyay and
look out for silos bearing artwork
from renowned international
artists, Phlegm and Hense, along
the 30-minute journey. Stop for
a picnic amongst abundant
wildflowers in spring at the Bilya
Walk Track where — after you pick
up delicious pies and pastries
from the famous Toodyay Bakery
— you may spot waterbirds and
long necked turtles. After, walk
part of the sign-posted 7km track
offering splendid views of the
Avon River.
5.50PM // PELHAM RESERVE
Finish the day with a short drive
up to Pelham Reserve looking
over 50 hectares of bushland
featuring York Gum, Jam Woodland
and Wandoo. In spring, its steep
slopes are covered in carpets of
everlastings. Stay on and watch a
spectacular sunset before settling
in for the night at a historic hotel like
The Toodyay Manor or the Victoria
Hotel, where the classic Australian
pub fare will warm your soul.
HISTORIANS AT HEART
8AM // BREAKFAST
Wake up at the luxurious
Laurelville Manor, famous for its
breakfast, before taking a leisurely
wander down York’s Avon Terrace
lined with heritage buildings.
10AM // YORK COURTHOUSE
Step inside the York Courthouse
Complex and marvel at the
grandeur of the courtroom built
in 1859 and its transformation into
an art gallery. It’s now a showcase
for Aboriginal culture and a
history of colonial impact.
11AM // YORK MOTOR MUSEUM
You can’t visit York without
checking out the only communityowned and operated motor
museum in Australia. York Motor
Museum, opened in 1979 by the late
Peter Briggs and James Harwood,
has a fascinating collection of
vintage cars and bikes.
12PM // RESIDENCY MUSEUM
Whip over to Brook Street and delve
back into the past at the awardwinning Residency Museum located
inside a Victorian, Georgian style
house, which is the last remaining
part of York’s Convict Depot.
2PM // WALKING TOUR
Drive 45-minutes to Toodyay for
a bite to eat before taking a selfguided walking tour. Visit Connor’s
Mill to discover historic machinery,
explore the era of Moondyne Joe
in the Newcastle Gaol Museum
precinct, and wander past the
old Butterly Cottage and through
Duidgee Park before returning via
the banks of the Avon River. Pass
St Stephen’s Anglican Church and
Stirling Terrace along the way.
4PM // CHARCOAL LANE
Admire Toodyay’s public murals
in Charcoal Lane behind IGA,
including the bright birds mural by
Morangup artists Nicola Cowie and
Kat Ferguson.
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