Updated: 03 January 2023
It is always enjoyable going for a weekend drive to the country. Toodyay, just over an hour outside of Perth is a lovely country town with plenty of character. I regularly travel to Toodyay to visit family and always enjoy the drive, noticing how the different seasons affect the landscape.
I prefer the drive along Muchea East Road off the Great Northern Highway. This becomes Chittering Road and then turn right at Julimar Road. This is a very pretty drive through rolling hills and grazing pasture and then through the Julimar State Forest. An alternative is to take Chittering Road north out of Bullsbrook, detour along Chittering Valley Road until you meet up with Chittering Road again and on to Julimar Road. This route follows the pretty Brockman River.
On arrival in Toodyay there are lots of historic sights to see such as Connor's Mill and the Newcastle Gaol which are now open as museums. There is a self guided walk you can take to see all the historic buildings. Visit the Toodyay Visitor Centre for maps. You can also try geocaching around Toodyay.
See my separate blog on the Newcastle Gaol and Connors Mill heritage sites in Toodyay.
Toodyay offers a Farmers Market every 3rd Sunday of the Month along with other events including the Fibre Festival, Moondyne Festival and of course there is plenty happening in August during the Avon Descent as the Avon runs through the centre of town providing plenty of viewpoints.
Stop for morning tea or lunch at the Toodyay Bakery or the Coca Cola Cafe. Also from April through to December visit Christmas 360 for all your Christmas decoration needs.
Duidgee Park
Duidgee Park lies alongside the Avon River so depending on the season the kids can have a splash around the waterholes. There is a playground, barbecues and picnic tables and toilets as well as a small skate park. You can also have a ride on the miniature railway from Newcastle Station on the first and third Sunday of each month.
Toodyay Fairytale Farm
Located just 4km west of town the little ones will love wandering through Toodyay Fairytale Farm where you will discover Nursery Rhymes you had long forgotten and lots of characters from Fairy Tales too. Toodyay Fairytale Farm also has friendly farm animals to pat and feed, a playground and outdoor games including croquet and mazes. Entrance fees apply and check opening hours.
Pelham Reserve and Lookout
After a wander around town there are plenty of smaller walks to do in and around Toodyay to stretch the legs before the drive home. This time I drove up to the lookout at Pelham Reserve and walked part of the 6km of different tracks that amble through this reserve. I walked for an hour covering most of the Pelham Walk Trail with a detour to take in Everlastings Loop. It is very peaceful and serene up here on the hill with sweeping views across town and the Avon Valley below. There are some good inclines to get the heart rate up . Although the walks are well signposted and the track is wide and easy to follow I was glad to have a map to help me navigate the various trails. The tracks range from 500 m to 2.2km but as you need to access the tracks from other tracks the shortest walk would probably be about 1km or 20-30 minutes. The track can be a little hard to find from the carpark at the Lookout so venture up the hill past the picnic bench until you find the sign for the Pelham Walk Trail. There are toilet facilities here too. I will be back to walk the trails to the WWII Rifle range and bunkers another time.
Another Toodyay walk is the Bilya Walk Track (see separate blog) which runs alongside the Avon River for 5.6 km one way. The best time for this is after the rains during Winter or Spring when the water is flowing.
Cobblers Pool
If the full Bilya Trail is too much head along River Road to Cobbler Pool, a 15 minute drive from town, for a river experience. The turn off is easy to miss so keep an eye out for the small sign opposite Wesuri Alpacas. The dirt road crosses the railway line and then opens out onto a large space which is used as the overnight campsite for the Avon Descent contestants and support crew.
Wildflowers
During Wildflower season (August - November) you can stop along the way on Julimar Drive to visit the Dawn Atwell Reserve (5.5km loop), detour onto Coondle West Road for Coondle Reserve (2.5km loop) or the Julimar Conservation Annex. Another detour is on Kane Road to the Rugged Hills Nature Reserve (8km loop or less if you take the fire break shortcut). For other walks refer to https://www.toodyay.wa.gov.au/visit-toodyay/trip-ideas/toodyay-bucket-list/reconnect-with-nature-in-toodyay.aspx
And of course there is canola season! Please respect the biosecurity of the crop and stay out of the fields.
There are plenty of other walks and pretty drives to discover in the Shire of Chittering.
To read more blogs go to:
or https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/post/newcastle-gaol-and-connors-mill-toodyay
For more day trips click on the links for A Day in the Country information on Bindoon and the Chittering Valley, Gingin, York, New Norcia, Jarrahdale and Serpentine.
In the spirit of reconciliation Out and About- Family Nature Connection acknowledges the traditional owners of the Wadjak boodjar (Perth land) and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
As always when hiking in the bush please help to reduce the spread of Phytophthora Dieback by sticking to the tracks and paths, staying out of quarantined areas and, if possible, clean your shoes before and after hiking. A spray of 70% methylated spirit and 30% water can be effective.