Toodyay 2018
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Western Australia A Valley for all Seasons www.toodyay.com 2 0 1 8 Edition - Founded in 1836 ..... A Valley for all Seasons A pleasant one hour’s drive north east of Perth (85km), Toodyay is nestled in the rolling hills of the picturesque Avon Valley Tourist region. Toodyay radiates a rustic charm and ambience, with a unique valley backdrop and the Avon River owing through the centre of town. Toodyay was classi ed as a Historic Town in 1980 by the National Trust and boasts some of the nest examples of 19th century architecture. This quaint country town offers an array of specialty shops, wineries, eateries, artisans, attractions and historical places of interest. Toodyay offers a great selection of accommodation options to suit all budgets, from Bed & Breakfasts, Homesteads, Retreats, Hotel, Self-contained Chalets or Caravan Parks. Whether you are looking for a romantic weekend, family holiday or some quiet time away, stay and soak up the country atmosphere. The area’s Conservation Parks and Reserves also offer a wide variety of walking trails for you to discover our abundant native ora and fauna amongst some spectacular scenery. Toodyay is the perfect central location to discover the Avon Valley and surrounding towns such as Northam, York, Chittering, Bindoon, Beverley, Goomalling and New Norcia which are only a peaceful scenic drive away. MUST DO’S • Connor’s Mill Museum • Pelham Reserve Lookout • Conservation & Nature Parks • Newcastle Gaol Museum • Wineries & Restaurants • Local attractions • 19th Century Churches • Bilya Walk Track • Yearly events • Specialty shopping • Duidgee Park • Toodyay Miniature Railway HISTORICAL INFORMATION Noongar people were the rst inhabitants, followed by European explorers and settlers from the 1830’s. The original settlement was on the banks of the Avon River, ve kilometres from its current location, however this site was prone to ooding. A second settlement was established upriver and named Newcastle after Lord Lincoln, Duke of Newcastle. In 1910, the town was renamed Toodyay after losing mail and to avoid confusion with the larger Newcastle in NSW. MOONDYNE JOE Moondyne Joe (Joseph Bolitho John) is Western Australia’s Population – 4439 (census 2016) most famous bushranger who made his escape from the Distance from Perth – 85 km Toodyay lockup in 1861. Discover where the legend began! Area – 1,683 square km’s Best times: March - November Cover photo - Jane Taylor (JT Photography) CONNOR’S MILL This magni cent triple-storey brick our mill was constructed in 1870 by George Hasell, for Daniel Connor, one of Toodyay’s most prominent businessmen. The building operated as a steam-powered our mill for around 50 years before being converted to a power house in the 1920’s. Connor’s Mill, with its operational historic machinery, retells the stories of the many families whose lives revolved around this grand convict era building. Open 7 days from 9.00am - 3.30pm. (Closed Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day). Entry Fee: $5 per person, Concession $4 or Family (2A, 2C) $12. 7 Piesse St, Toodyay - 9574 9380 - www.toodyay.com - Town Map Reference G6 1 NEWCASTLE GAOL MUSEUM AND POLICE STABLES Take a step back over 150 years! Convict labour was used to construct this historic building in the 1860’s. The old Gaol is a sturdy stone and mortar structure built to retain and deter the repeated escapes by slippery characters such as Moondyne Joe (Joseph Bolitho Johns). Enjoy the authentic surroundings, historical artefacts and displays in the original cells. You will be moved by the personal history of the early settlers, the tragic story of three brothers lost at war and the tales from a ghostly image of an inmate. Retrace Toodyay’s colourful past! Open weekdays 10.00am - 3.00pm and weekends 10.00am – 3.30pm. (Closed Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day) Entry fee: $5 per person, Concession $4 or Family (2A, 2C) $12. 14 Clinton St, Toodyay - 9574 9380 - www.toodyay.com - Town Map Reference I6 2 TOODYAY VISITORS CENTRE The Toodyay Visitors Centre is your rst stop in town for advice, brochures and maps on Toodyay’s attractions, events, services, accommodation, restaurants, reserves and conservation parks, walks, scenic drives, wild owers or historical places of interest. The Toodyay Visitors Centre also stocks a great range of Toodyay souvenirs, local produce and handicraft, local history books, giftware, regional brochures and maps. Our friendly staff have many years of local knowledge and are happy to assist you with any enquiries. The Toodyay Visitors Centre is also a booking agent for Transwa tickets. Opening 7 days a week 9am to 4pm (closed Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day) 7 Piesse Street, Toodyay - 9574 9380 - www.toodyay.com - [email protected] - Town Map Reference G6 3 3 DUIDGEE PARK Toodyay’s Duidgee Park is situated on the banks of the Avon River and is home to the Toodyay Miniature Railway (Apr - Nov). Duidgee Park boasts a skate park, kid’s playground, BBQ’s, power, picnic benches, shelters and public toilets. Pack a picnic lunch, settle in for a BBQ or just enjoy a blissful afternoon with the family in this tranquil setting. Toodyay’s popular Bilya Walk Track can be accessed at Duidgee Park, where you can follow the riverbank 5.6km through Extracts Weir to Nardie Pioneer Cemetery. Cnr Railway Road and Harper Road, Toodyay - 9574 9380 - www.toodyay.com - Town Map Reference G5 4 TOODYAYPEDIA - “Bringing a whole town to life on Wikipedia” Did you know you can learn more about Toodyay’s rich history simply by walking through town with your smartphone? Toodyaypedia is the name of a collaborative Wikitown project between the Shire of Toodyay, the Toodyay community and the Wikimedia Australia Foundation. Visitors have the opportunity to access information readily onsite, using their own smartphones or tablets to read QR codes embedded on small plaques (strategically placed throughout the township) which link to Wikipedia articles. Free QR readers can be downloaded in the Apple App Store or Google Play. Pick up a brochure at the Toodyay Visitors Centre. GEOCACHING Join a real-world outdoor treasure hunt game around our Central Tourist District! Geocaching uses ‘Global Positioning System-enabled’ devices to navigate to a speci c set of GPS coordinates to nd a geocache (container) hidden at 8 different sites for you to track down. Anyone can join and basic membership is free. Register at www.geocaching.com to nd out more about this fun activity that over 6 million people world-wide are enjoying. Pick up a brochure at the Toodyay Visitors Centre to nd out more about this trail. TRANSWA Travel and relax on our comfortable AvonLink train while taking in the beautiful scenery of the Avon Valley region. With 10 weekday return services and 6 additional MerredinLink services, there is no better way to explore the hidden gem that is Toodyay. SmartCommuter discount fares are available to frequent travellers, conditions apply. Tickets are available on board (cash only), or book at transwa.wa.gov.au. 50% discount for Seniors and WA Pensioners Return tickets start from just $17.80 For booking and Information: 1300 662 205 www.transwa.wa.gov.au 4 WALKS & WILDFLOWERS Toodyay’s many Conservation and Nature Reserves, together with Flora Roads provide a unique opportunity to experience the region’s natural environment and encounter spectacular ora and fauna. Nestled amongst magni cent hill country and the valleys of the Avon River, wild owers are especially abundant between the months of July and November. The diverse range of habitats provide an exquisite range of wild owers, including some rare and unique species. Toodyay Walks and Wildfl owers brochure is available from the Toodyay Visitors Centre or visit www.toodyay.com for downloadable brochures. SELF GUIDED WALK TRAILS 1. Living History Walk Take in the fascinating 19th century architecture and explore Toodyay’s rich history by following this documented Town Walk to get a sense of times gone by in one of the State’s most charming colonial settlements. Some of these buildings retain their original use, while others house quaint shops and cafes. Enjoy a pleasant stroll through town on this trail of discovery. 2. Bilya Walk Track The Bilya Walk Track follows the Avon River for 5.6km from Duidgee Park to Nardie Pioneer Cemetery, using trail markers. The Bird Hide, situated at Red Banks Pool, Lloyd Reserve attracts many bird lovers. Here you can discover informative posters depicting some of the common birdlife in the area. Observe some of the sixty or so species of waterbird recorded along the river. This trail can be accessed at many points. Conditions may vary according to seasons. 3. Pelham Reserve & Lookout At the top of a steep hill in central Toodyay and Pelham Reserve offers ne valley view’s overlooking the town site. A memorial and native plant garden honours James Drummond, the colony’s rst resident botanist and a pioneer farmer of the Toodyay District. Remnants of a ri e range dating back to the early 1900’s is also present. The Pelham Reserve Walk Trials consists of ve individual walk trails, up to 6kms in total. While walking in Pelham Reserve you are likely to see Kangaroos, Euros, other native wildlife and during wild ower season, a carpet of everlastings. Please call into the Toodyay Visitors Centre for brochures and maps relating to local Walk Trails or visit www.toodyay.com for downloadable brochures. AVON VALLEY NATIONAL PARK The Avon Valley National Park covers around 4,800 hectares of bush land with the stunning Avon River running through the centre. The park features forests and granite outcrops with panoramic views over the Avon Valley with the chance to see a wide variety of ora and fauna.