Top reasons to visit Toodyay

Toodyay is a great place for a daytrip, and if your’re looking for some of the top reasons to visit Toodyay, then keep reading. Situated only an hour away from Perth, it is far enough away to have a country town feel, but at only 85km’s away, close enough to explore in a day. This quintessential country town is somewhat of a hidden country gem, it is historically interesting and a very quaint and charming town.

After a leisurely drive winding through the Wheatbelt region of the picturesque Avon Valley you arrive at Toodyay, a settler’s heritage town. One of three towns east of the Darling Scarp, this cool little town is rich in history being one of the oldest inland towns in wheatbelt region of Western Australia. The town has a rustic charm with plenty of history and stunning scenery to enjoy. Take a journey back in time and visit some unique shops, award winning cafes and historic hotels on the main street. The Old Gaol Museum and Connor’s Mill are two of the best reasons to visit Toodyay and great places to soak up some history.

Origin of Name

Pronounced Twojay (2-J) and meaning a place of plenty or a place of mist, the indigenous Noongar people gave the area its name as the area’s first inhabitants, but bushranger Moondyne Joe is probably the most infamous resident.

About notorious Moondyne Joe

Moondyne Joe is Western Australia’s most famous bushranger. Born Joseph Bolitho Johns, the son of a Welsh blacksmith who was sent to the colony for the theft of three loaves of bread. Joe branded an unmarked horse and was gaoled in Toodyay for his felony. His life consisted of a cat and mouse game with many misdemeanours, convictions and escapes over the next forty years. Time and legend gave the adventurous daredevil the title of the state’s most famous bushranger after a series of crimes, prison terms, escapes and being on the run. Finally, a free man in 1879 he married and moved to the southwest. At 60 years old he moved to the Goldfields and began prospecting. After the death of his wife he showed up in Perth suburb of Kelmscott in a delirious state and was eventually found to be mentally ill. He lived out his remaining days and later died of senile dementia in the Fremantle Lunatic Asylum on 13^th August 1900.

Each year the Moondyne Festival is held in May as a light hearted celebration of this darker side of Toodyay’s history and includes a street parade, moustache competition, musical performances and re-enactments of the bushranger’s antics about town along with his capture and trial.

A place of plenty

The area has remained a place of plenty since settlement with residents pursuing farming, timber milling, and sandalwood cutting, and the community supporting a Convict Hiring Depot, an Immigrant Depot, the gold-rush, a tannin factory and historical tourism. Today Toodyay has a vigorous farming community and significant tree change population represented by alpaca, olive and lavender farms establishing the sale of alpaca wool, lavender ice cream and olive oil in the local shops.

Toodyay’s winery

One of WA’s oldest vineyards, Coorinja Winery, is one of our favourite stops on the way into town. Established in the late 1870’s all the grapes are grown on scenic undulating slopes around the property and offers wine tastings and cellar door sales. The winery is located close to old Ringa Railway Bridge and Harper Brook and has a 19^th century barrel room where we purchase a bottle of Port, in the interests of supporting the locals. Of course this makes just another great reason to visit Toodyay.

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Winner of Australia’s best pastries

Toodyay is well known for its parks, walk trails, wildflowers, bushland and riverside areas, but like most country towns it also has a great bakery. If you’re a fan of a good country bakery (and who isn’t?) then this has to be the best reason to visit as Toodyay is a place you can satisfy your taste buds with lunch from the bakery. Awarded winner of Australia’s best pastries in 2016 the bakery is renowned for more.

Reading reviews of this bakery people talk about their Fruit Mince Pies, great coffee and their lamb and rosemary pie. But it’s not just us carnivores who enjoy their pies, they have a vegan range, including Cauliflower Chickpea and Korma Masala on the menu. When you look at the colourful display, what to choose becomes a struggle. Red Velvet Brownie, Jam Donut, Apple Pie, Melting Moments and Vanilla Slice all look amazing, but me nothing beats a coffee éclair for delicious goodness.

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The bakery resides in the former Unwin stores, built in 1898, originally a drapery store. The Masonic Lodged rented upstairs until 1924. The Buffaloes used the rooms until 1950’s.

Things to see and do

The town’s architecture is reminiscent of its early convict era, boasting some of Western Australia’s finest examples of 19^th century heritage. Over one hundred places of historical significance in or near this charming and historic town are listed by the Heritage Council of Western Australia. This includes some cottages, homesteads, shops, churches, parks and railway constructions. Several historic sites including the Gaol, Connor’s Mill, Toodyay Pubic Library, the old Toodyay Post Office and the old Toodyay Fire Station are included on the State Register of Heritage buildings.

Connors Mill

The well-preserved tributes to the town’s past can be seen at Newcastle Gaol Museum and Connor’s Mill Museum. The former mill built in 1870’s is an essential stop to take in a piece of pioneering history and see ancient working machinery. The building is an icon of Toodyay and a testament to the town’s busy agricultural industry and houses Australia’s finest example of an 1870’s steam-driven flour mill.

Dan Connor, a convict from Ireland arrived in WA in 1853 and in 1861 moved to Toodyay, then known as Newcastle, and built a house and store. Next to his house, in 1870 he built Toodyay’s 3^rd steam powered flour mill and in 1880 owned the flourmill, Freemasons Hotel and the Hawthornden and Wicklow Hills farming properties. He earned the title of the Newcastle King because of the number of properties he owned in the area. The flour being produced at the mill was good competition for the Drummond and Monger Mills and due to the very high quality the mill won an award at a Melbourne Exhibition in 1880 when the mill was leased out and later sold.

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The building was run as a mill until 1917 when the current owner reconditioned the building as a powerhouse for the town. It ran as a powerhouse until 1955 when it was deserted. In 1975 the Toodyay Tourist Centre was established, protecting the future of the building when Connor’s Mill was restored, demonstrating the process of turning wheat into flour, retelling the stories of the families who lived and worked in this grand convict era building.

Connor’s Cottage on Piesse Street was built for Daniel Connor, the original owner of the most prominent landmark in Toodyay, the flour mill.

Next door is the Toodyay Visitors Information Centre and Ye Olde Lolly Shop.

St Stephen’s Anglican Church

The original pews which were sawn and built by convicts are still in use in St Stephen’s Anglican Church, built in 1862 by a former convict. In the 1950’s the altar and adjacent room were added, and the original stained-glass windows replaced. In 1995 the church was led by its first female minister.

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Top attraction in the area

One of the drawcards to this tiny WA town is Christmas 360, a well-stocked Christmas shop that is open almost year-round and is one of largest Christmas stores in the country. Steve loves all things Christmas and for him this is highlighted on his list of top reasons to visit Toodyay. Naturally he was in his element browsing in this store. Regardless of the time of the year you visit, Christmas hits you as soon as you walk in the door. The shop is well stocked with collectibles, ornaments, nativity scenes, religious decorations and all the sparkles of Christmas and much, much, more. But the highlight for Steve was Santa’s throne and he just had to try it out.

Christmas 360 is now housed in the former Oddfellows Hall/Jager Stores. Oddfellows demolished the building and in 1897 rebuilt their hall which was available for public use. The building was constantly used by travelling theatrical and opera companies and the Anglican Church held their annual bazaar there. In 1908 the hall was sold to William Padbury as a store and continued to be used as a store by various owners including Jager Stores.  It has been markets, newsagents and a drapery store before housing the popular Christmas 360.

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The Art Deco facade of the Toodyay Fire Station was designed by Ken Duncan and constructed in 1938 and is now the Sommerville Gallery. Art Deco originated in Paris and emphasised elegant, modern design and simple decorative elements. The Fire Station operated from this building, offering protection from wild bushfires to the community until it relocated to new premises in 2002.

Freemasons Hotel

You can enjoy a scrumptious meal or a refreshing drink out on the veranda while you watch the world go by at the Freemasons Hotel situated on the main street of Toodyay. Famous for its architecture and country charm, this historical building became an important watering hole for wealthy miners. Formerly known as Newcastle Hotel and licensed in 1861, the hotel was classified by the National Trust in 1977. In 1955 the original stables at the rear were demolished and an outdoor picture theatre established until it was also demolished in 1970.

Across the road from the Freemasons Hotel is the Cola Café Museum, a 1950’s style café with an extensive menu covering breakfast and lunch and features a unique collection of Coca Cola memorabilia. Serving good old-fashioned retro tucker the Cola Café’s memorabilia has taken over 45 years to collect.

Victoria Hotel

The Victoria Hotel was built in 1864, the first storey built with bricks and lime. The owner JT Woods ran a store, became a banker and 1888 a licensee of the hotel. The current front and top floor were built in 1899.

JT Woods, the owner of the Victoria Hotel lived in the house and later built the shops used as the WA Bank from 1896-99 when a new bank building was built.

Post Office

Postal services had been operating since 1842 in various other premises in the area and in 1897 the Post Office and residence were built. The design, by George Temple-Poole, became a standard design for the Public Works in the late 19^th century. This fine example of turn of the century Public Works architecture  and civic architecture on the corner of Duke Street and Stirling Terrace is one of the few remaining. The building was added to the State Heritage Register in 1995 and in 2019 postal services moved to the new location in Piesse Street.

Church Precinct

As you enter town on Stirling Terrace is the catholic church precinct. Consisting of Our Lady Help of Christians Marian Friary, a Franciscan Monastery, St Aloysius Convent of Mercy (classroom and dormitory), Catholic Presbytery, Dr Growse’s House, known as “The Ship”. The Friary consists of the main building, which had its foundation stone laid in 1903, St Francis House. The buildings have large timber verandas and are two storey Victorian Georgian style red brick and corrugated iron roof buildings. The construction of the St Aloysius Convent of Mercy church was funded by Daniel Connor, a devout Catholic.

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Nearby is another former church, the St John the Baptist Catholic Church, built in 1863 which was sold and is now a private residence.

The Toodyay Courthouse, constructed in 1896 on the site previously used as a convict hiring depot, has been used at municipal offices since the 1950’s. The courthouse was designed by George Temple Poole and compliments other examples of his work, like the Toodyay Post Office.

The Victoria Billiard Saloon was built in 1890’s, later becoming a barber shop. It later became a betting shop before returning to a billiard room.

Support local business

A stroll along Stirling Terrace to the historic hotels, tearooms and alfresco cafes is the thing to do is your appetite craves a hearty meal, quick snack or local produce to fill your picnic basket.

One of our favourite drives is the Toodyay Food & Picnic Trail, a self-drive journey where you can meet several growers and producers of dates, olive oil, wine, breads, meats and condiments to fill your picnic basket and explore a hidden gem right in Perth’s backyard. The Meat Hook is where they slice, dice and mince ethically raised meats. Art lovers will make a beeline for Toodyay’s sculpture, potters and art studios for a hand-crafted original piece.

Located on Stirling Terrace in the two-storey heritage building that was once the Post Office is Uniquely Toodyay. The store sells locally produced Macadamia nuts, jams, chutneys, sauces, organic honey, eggs, olive oil, and locally made craft and artwork. Designed by George Poole and built in 1897 it was originally known as Newcastle Post Office.

Parks and walk trails

There are plenty of places in the pretty Avon Valley to create a sense of re-connection with nature. The Avon River meanders through the scenic undulating slopes surrounding this wheatbelt town. In a society where technology has created a fear of missing out you can leave behind your anxiety and improve your mental health and physical well-being with a relaxing walk along the many tracks and walks throughout the shire. But one of the many great reasons to visit Toodyay is the beautiful views and abundant native flora making this the perfect place to disconnect from technology, enjoy the tranquility, let go of any tension and simply breathe.

Pelham Reserve or Bilya (Noongar River) Walk Track are just two of the plethora of spots to ride mountain bikes or motorbikes or simply enjoy a bush walk. Many of the signed walk tracks provide scenic viewpoints of the town and Avon Valley to enjoy the native flora, serenity and of course the produce purchased to fill your picnic basket.

Take a stroll through beautiful nature reserves and enjoy the breathtaking valley scenery all year round, but to experience to the beautiful wildflowers that are in abundance in the area, Spring is the best time to visit.

Small town lifestyle

With a relaxed lifestyle, particularly suited to young families, there is a feeling of community and safety in this town. Driven by tourism and hospitality there is always something going on in Toodyay. Blown away by the vista of the stunning scenery and the town’s historic character, life stylers being drawn to the area are getting more bang for their buck. Many boomers are buying weekenders with a view to retire and end up finding this lovely old town is somewhere to live without having to venture too far from the city.

Regardless of the time of the year, the amazing valley views are one of the top reasons to visit Toodyay making it the ideal place to stop and catch your breath, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city. Rest a while and take some time out to admire the views or use as a base to soak up the country atmosphere and explore the valley’s wealth of attractions.

Tidy towns award winner

In 2015 this impressive town’s community spirit and hard work paid off when they were recognized in three of eight national awards and took the title of Australian Tidy Towns award. The Tidy towns awards are run in partnership with Keep Australia Beautiful and has been running in Western Australia since 1968 and nationally since 1990. With a population of just over 4,500 residents, this award is proof that when a community comes together as one that small communities can punch above their weight.

Daytrip or stay a while?

Avon Valley is the land of plenty, its waters are a scene of serenity and nature’s beauty. A visit to Toodyay is popular with tourists and a picturesque daytrip can be enjoyed from Toodyay Road through Gidgegannup, Toodyay, Chittering Valley and Great Northern Highway back to Perth. Along the drive you pass national forests and valleys, cross bridges and acres of farmland with orchards and vineyards. The time of the year you make the short jaunt paints a different picture. In summer it is a bit parched and golden in colour and throughout the cooler months transforms to verdant green.

Maybe one day isn’t enough to see all there is in Toodyay so you may want to stretch your visit over a few days to make the most of your sojourn to this picturesque area to explore this country town further. Luckily there are some great options of places to stay in and around Toodyay. Enjoy the country hospitality of a B&B to getting back to nature in a caravan and camping park, revel in the historic country charm of a hotel/motel or appreciate some privacy in a self-contained chalet.

Bushfires

Toodyay has been impacted by bushfires, which are common in summer months, since it was settled. 1853 saw the first reported significant fire in the region. In 2009 a major bushfire occurred when a catastrophic temperature of 45.4 C or 113.7 F was recorded and 38 homes were destroyed. Like all areas impacted by bushfires recently I strongly encourage you to pay Toodyay a visit, go for a walk along the main street, get a feel for the place and show your support by shopping in the local cafes, galleries and stores in the lovely old buildings.

Final thoughts

So when you visit Australia, do check out the large cities like Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, but also add Perth to your list. We might be one of the most isolated cities but I can assure you it will be worth the time and effort to get here. And Toodyay should definitely be on your ‘to visit’ list when you come to Perth. So too should other smaller towns like Dalwallinu, Donnybrook, New Norcia and Margaret River as they have a ton of fair dinkum Aussie charm that will complete your trip.

You will find Toodyay is a quiet but impressive little vintage town with just a hint of alternative lifestyle that feels like it’s a world away, making it well worth the short drive from Perth.

Have you visited this pretty little wheatbelt town? Is this beautiful town somewhere you’d like to spend a unique day trip or weekend opportunity?

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