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Flame Grevillea (Grevillea excelsior)

Natural Attractions

Wongan Hills Wildflowers

Wongan Hills has many great walks and wildflowers. Christmas Rock and Gathercole Walks have an abundance of grevilleas, pink pokers, acacia, smoke bush, dampiera, tea trees, myrtles and kunzeas. Mount Matilda and Mount O'Brien are also popular. There is a wide variety of orchids including spiders, donkeys, shirt, purple enamel, custard leopards and many more. Visit the Visitors Centre for information on where the best wildflowers can be found.

Wongan Hills WA

0.1 km away

Mount Matilda Walk Trail, Wongan Hills

Natural Attractions

Mount Matilda Walk Trail, Wongan Hills

The Mount Matilda Walk Trail is located 12 kilometres from Wongan Hills (two-hours drive northeast of Perth). Set amongst an impressive landscape of natural bushland, a sea of wheat fields, rocky outcrops and 1,300 wildflower species, this is a spectacular walk, especially in spring. Drive out via New Norcia and make a day of it. Starting at the interpretive trailhead in the car park, make your way up to the rocky stairs onto the flat hill of Mount Matilda, the highest peak within the Shire of Wongan-Ballidu. The easy Top Trail has two loops to choose from. A short 4.8-kilometre loop or a seven-kilometre loop. The short option follows a yellow marker with a bird symbol while the other loop follows a yellow marker with a thorny devil. Both trails venture to the western side of the mesa to take in the views of wheat and Lake Hinds. The trails have seats at every viewpoint as well as interpretive signage. Highlights include the views at the speaker chair, gimlet gully and red-barked gimlets growing in profusion below. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au

Wongan Hills WA

0.3 km away

Wongan Pioneer Museum — Image credit: Shire of Wongan-Ballidu

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Wongan Pioneer Museum

The Wongan Hills & Districts Pioneer Museum celebrates the local and Wheatbelt history. The Museum is housed in the town’s original hospital and many visitors declare themselves to have been born in this wonderful old building, which provides ample room to house a great many treasures of the Shire’s past. There is a display of 1940s hospital equipment but that’s only a fraction of what’s on offer to the visitor. If your interest is in discovering what it was like to be a pioneer, visit Wally Townsend’s original hessian-lined hut with its home-built furniture made from local timber and recycled goods. See also a telephone switchboard, blacksmithing equipment, household items used by pioneer women, World War II paraphernalia and much more. Behind the building, you will discover a vast variety of machinery and vehicles – wagons, buggies, harvesters, dam-sinking scrapers, a CBH wheat auger, a World War II army tank and many other reminders of the pioneer heritage. A guided tour of the museum by one of their dedicated local volunteers will open your eyes to their past.

Wongan Hills WA

0.5 km away

Christmas Rock Walk Trail

Natural Attractions

Christmas Rock Walk Trail

The Christmas Rock Walk Trail is a scenic nature trail through the bushland and beautiful wildflowers just outside of Wongan Hills. Take the leisurely 40-minute walk to the rock wall used to divert water down to the town dam. Look out for kangaroos and other marsupials that live in the surrounding bush. Listen to the calming sounds of bird calls from the region's native bird life. Capture the lovely scenery on camera and walk across the large horizontal rock face for other excellent photo opportunities. Settle down for a picnic amidst the pleasant surroundings and enjoy the peace and tranquillity. Try and time your visit with wildflower season in spring when the spectacular flowers are out on display. Keep an eye out for the six rare species of flowers that can only be found in this area and the orchids, wattles and white myrtles that grow in abundance at this time of year. Wongan Hills is a 2.5-hour drive north of Perth. It is a bush walker’s paradise with various spectacular guided and self-guided walks on offer.

Wongan Hills WA

0.7 km away

Dingo Rock

Natural Attractions

Dingo Rock

Dingo Rock is a fascinating historical site located within a fauna reserve just outside of Wongan Hills. The site is surrounded by natural scrub protecting it from the wind and making it a perfect location for a picnic. Enjoy a walk through the bushland to the rock to see an ancient Aboriginal Gnamma Hole that was carved out of the rock face to collect drinking water. Signs are marked along the walk trail to direct you to the rock. It is highly recommended that you visit the area in spring when the flowers are on show. Wongan Hills is home to over 250 species of wildflowers including six rare species that only grow in this region. Wongan Hills is a 2.5 hour drive north of Perth. It is a bushwalker's paradise with various spectacular walks on offer included a guided walk to Mt Matilda.

Wongan Hills WA

4.1 km away

Reynoldson's Flora Reserve

Natural Attractions

Reynoldson's Flora Reserve

Reynoldson’s Flora Reserve in Wongan Hills displays a stunning array of colours between October and December each year when the wildflowers are out in bloom. Allow at least one hour to stroll along the walking trail and examine the reserve’s spectacular floral exhibition. Wongan Hills is home to an extremely diverse collection of wildflowers with over 1,000 species recorded in the area. Of these, there are 16 rare and endangered species only found in Wongan Hills. Wildflower enthusiasts will be delighted by the seven varieties of Verticordia flowering. The Reynoldson Reserve Festival is held in November each year when the wildflowers are in full bloom. Admire the beauty of the reserve at the photographic exhibition before taking a highly informative guided tour of the reserve. Visit the Wongan Hills Visitor Centre for more information. Reynoldson’s Flora Reserve is just outside of Wongan Hills which is a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Perth. It offers outstanding views from numerous elevated lookouts, first class walk trails including a new flora interpretative walk and a beautiful scenic drive through the hills. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au

Wongan Hills WA

13 km away

Mount O'Brien

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Mount O'Brien

Mount O’Brien in the Central Wheatbelt offers a magnificent view of the Wongan Hills Reserve from its peak. Drive to the Centenary of Federation Wheatbelt Lookout for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and lakes. Bring along your binoculars to examine the area in more detail. Enjoy a picnic with a spectacular view and make use of the barbecue facilities on offer. Mount O’Brien is the second-highest peak in the Wongan Hills, standing at 424 metres high. It provides an uninterrupted view as far as the eye can see. Time your visit with the wildflower season between September and December to see an incredible profusion of colour across the countryside. The town takes pride in their diverse wildflower collection which includes several endangered species that can only be found in this area. Mount O’Brien is a 10-minute drive from the town of Wongan Hills and a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Perth.

Wongan Hills WA

16 km away

Gathercole Nature Reserve

Natural Attractions

Gathercole Nature Reserve

Gathercole Nature Reserve is located just outside of Wongan Hills and offers a short five-minute scenic walk to view some fascinating sculptured rocks. Visit during spring and you will also see the spectacular wildflowers on display. Further along the nature trail, you will get to explore the surrounding bushland and witness native animals in their natural surroundings. The reserve is teeming with wildlife and you will likely see the resident lizards basking in the sun on the rocks! The shady native trees provide a perfect setting for a picnic by the rocks. Gathercole Nature Reserve is a 10-minute drive east of Wongan Hills which is a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Perth. It is a nature lover's paradise with stunning countryside and spectacular walks such as Dingo Rock, Mount O'Brien and Mount Matilda.

Wongan Hills WA

19 km away

Mount Matilda

Natural Attractions

Mount Matilda

Mount Matilda near Wongan Hills offers a spectacular interpretive flora walk to its peak. Choose between the two-hour Mount Matilda Walk suitable for all levels of fitness or the more challenging three hour loop which covers a distance of seven kilometres. Wongan Hills Reserve is home to a number of endangered species of wildflowers including 16 varieties that can only be found in this region. Read the informative plaques throughout the walk detailing the vegetation along the way. Learn about the interesting history of the trail which was initially proposed in the early 1900s but took 93 years to construct. Visit the four lookouts along the trail with magnificent views across the countryside. Mount Matilda is the highest peak within Wongan Hills and offers an uninterrupted panoramic view. For a more informative walk, visit the Wongan Hills Visitor Centre to book a guided tour of Mount Matilda. Mount Matilda is a 10-minute drive from the charming town of Wongan Hills and 2.5 hour drive north of Perth. It is a nature lover's paradise.

Piawaning WA

32 km away

Slater Homestead

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Slater Homestead

The Slater Homestead was built in 1856 by George Slater, the first settler and farmer in Goomalling, Western Australia. Later in the pioneering days, it became a wayside inn; explorer John Forest set out on some of his expeditions from here, as did Bayley and Ford who discovered gold in Coolgardie. After its pioneering heyday, Slater Homestead fell into disrepair. The Shire of Goomalling purchased the historic site in 2000 and began restoration work together with the local community. Heritage listed in 2004, Slater Homestead once again offers accommodation and food to travellers as well as art exhibitions, concerts, workshops and other events. Slater Homestead is just under a 2-hour drive from Perth and is a perfect destination for a leisurely drive and a must-see attraction for anyone exploring the area.

Goomalling WA

44 km away

Dowerin Museum

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Dowerin Museum

The Dowerin Museum offers visitors an opportunity to see what life on the Wheatbelt was like in the 1930s. The house was built in 1912 and owned by the O'Shaughnessy family. The local historical society has preserved it as a typical example of a Western Australian wheatbelt home of the 1920s. The Museum consists of a saddlery shop along with artefacts from earlier times including a vast array of interesting furniture and clothing. Bookings are by arrangement.

Dowerin WA

45 km away

Goomalling Schoolhouse Museum

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Goomalling Schoolhouse Museum

The Goomalling Schoolhouse Museum was once the Konnongorring School, a one-teacher school, typical of the schools which serviced the localised population between the years 1900 and 1940. The school room has been moved to Goomalling from its original site. It has been restored and furnished to typify the rural and isolated schools which were scattered throughout country districts, and now acts as the Goomalling Museum with a rare windmill display and old machinery display. The museum collection includes an array of photographs and documents pertaining to the area, including family photographs and histories, homesteads, organisations and buildings of significance to the area. Nestled in the north eastern section of the Avon Valley area, Goomalling is a two-hour drive from Perth via either Northam or Toodyay.

Goomalling WA

46 km away

Boshack Outback

Agritourism

Boshack Outback

Boshack Outback is a secluded and pristine bushland near Toodyay only 90 minutes from Perth. The 400-acre Eco property of lakes, springs, and local farm stay with farm animals to feed, Boshack will offer you a memorable experience that gives you an insight into the traditions of the land’s Indigenous inhabitants the Aboriginals and the lives of the European pioneers of 150 years ago. You will be taken on a journey of The Real Australian History, culture and heritage, a unique time to taste, feel and touch the true “Nature Power” as described by a Feng Shui movie actress belonging to Dr Copa Japan and his filming crew. Listen to Aboriginal dreaming stories, and play the Didgeridoo as Ernie Dingo did when visited by The Great Outdoors for filming. Take a short forest walk, try your hand at catching freshwater crayfish, and taste their swinging billy tea, damper scones and jam. Stargazing, canoeing and fishing can be experienced by the overnight stay. Their summer visits are the best with clear skies and millions of stars with a doona required for sleeping. They are told "Boshack is something different".

Bolgart WA

49 km away

Dalwallinu Remnant Bushland

National Parks and Reserves

Dalwallinu Remnant Bushland

The natural areas of bush at Dalwallinu Remnant Bushland present a changing pattern during the spring, with most years offering a profusion of wildflowers during the months of August, September and October. From pink, white and lemon everlastings, the vivid colour of the local grevilleas, damperia, spectacular 'Wreath Flower' and the profusion of the yellow to orange wattles throughout the countryside are a photographers dream and a budding botanists paradise. The area is regarded as the 'Gateway to World of Wattles' with eco tourism becoming a great attraction to the area with the recognition that this bushland boasts the most species of Wattles (Acacias) to be found in any one place in the world. They flower most of the year but blooming reaches its maximum during the months of August and September producing a yellow landscape. During the second week of September a Wattle Festival offers the visitor the opportunity to sample bush cuisine with bush foods including the wattle seed. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au

Dalwallinu WA

66 km away

Wongamine wildflowers

National Parks and Reserves

Wongamine Nature Reserve

Wongamine Nature Reserve was historically used as a watering and stopping place and for timber and gravel extraction. The Wongamine Reserve is now for conservation purposes. With its northern extension and Shire-managed adjoining western portion, the reserve covers 330 hectares of diverse vegetation. Species include the Mottlecah which has the largest Eucalypt flower in the world, Brown Mallet, Drummond’s Gum and a fine stand of Salmon Gum. In spring, wildflowers of all kinds abound. Walking access in the reserve is facilitated by the many fire breaks. The perimeter of the reserve is 8 kilometres. Forrest Road is a designated Flora Road with a sign posted pull in bay. Take care when exploring the reserve as it has gravelly slopes and steep gullies and remember to take drinking water with you. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au

Nunile WA

68 km away

Wyalkatchem CBH Museum — Image credit: Tourism WA

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Wyalkatchem CBH Agricultural Museum

The Wyalkatchem CBH Museum is a fine collection of agricultural history and memorabilia related to life in the central wheatbelt during the twentieth century containing over 500 items on display, including some very rare tractors restored to original condition. Situated on a heritage railway site in the main street of Wyalkatchem, the main museum building is a 1936 “K” type wheat bin which is believed to be the oldest in preservation; alongside this are a series of purpose-built display buildings and a new addition is the recently completed Community Resource Centre – “The Bushel”. Since opening in 1981 a committed team of locals have accumulated a huge collection of general memorabilia, tractors, dozers and agricultural equipment, stationary motors, army/medical displays, vintage motor vehicles and hundreds of other artefacts from a long-forgotten era. Amongst the big boys' toys and pride is the fully-restored 1914 John Deere “Waterloo Boy” tractor along with many other working tractors, stationary engines and other agricultural machinery. Exhibits include “as is” displays along with restored and operational equipment, premium examples of over a hundred years of agriculture and transport in Australia.

Wyalkatchem WA

71 km away

Koorda Motor Museum and Military Collection — Image credit: Central Wheatbelt VC

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Koorda Motor Museum and Military Collection

Come and have a look through a variety of vintage and muscle cars and military memorabilia displays. This collection was built over 30 years ago through a passion for cars and military memorabilia. Tony Clarke repairs and restores classic and muscle cars, and loves military history. You will find some interesting items here from the Boer War to the military interventions in Afghanistan. At the right time of the year, you can buy quandong jam, and enjoy a meal at the café. This Koorda Motor Museum and Military Collection is definitely worth a visit to while enjoying your time in Koorda.

Koorda WA

74 km away

Saint Stephens Anglican Church

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Saint Stephens Anglican Church

This restrained gothic-style Church was built by George Hasell, assisted by a Stonemason named Esau Wetherall and a shingle splitter, MacKnoe. Its red brick facade was complimented by the bush timber bell tower (still standing) and timber shingles on the roof. Built in 1862, it was one of the very first buildings constructed in Newcastle. Reverend Charles Harper had been Minister to the Anglican congregation since 1849 and received 25 pounds upon his ordination to build a church in Toodyay. It was in May 1862 that Bishop Hale, Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Perth congregation, consecrated the Church and it opened for services. A Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus rudis) that is more than 375 years old towers over the church. It is an icon of the town that has been threatened by development several times, but its historical significance is now well recognised. The trimming of the upper branches of the tree was to prevent it from striking overhead powerlines, which have since been run underground.

Toodyay WA

77 km away

Cola Cafe and Museum — Image credit: Wanderland

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Cola Cafe and Museum

The Cola Café and Museum is a 1950s-style café finely decked out in red, white and black serving retro tucker, and foot-tapping music and features a unique collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia collected over a 45-year period. Wherever you sit you’re surrounded by Brian Dawes’ Coke obsession; everything from the conservative to the quaint, to the quirky. Many items have a story - like the Coca-Cola sign that once advertised a Louis Armstrong Concert or the red plastic chairs for the café’s al fresco diners snapped up from the Sydney 2000 Olympics. There’s a model-T open delivery truck, Coca-Cola transistors, a miniature vending machine, clocks, bottle and can collections and a lot more. Come and visit Toodyay’s famous Cola Café and Museum, a unique café and museum for those with a hankering for nostalgia. The historic town of Toodyay is situated 90 kilometres from Perth in the Avon River Valley.

Toodyay WA

77 km away

Avon River

Natural Attractions

Bilya Walk Track

The Bilya Walk Track is a project by Toodyay Friends of the River, promoting the Avon River's cultural, heritage and environmental values. The track extends for 6.9 kilometres (one way) from the Toodyay Caravan Park to Nardie Cemetery allowing you to admire the town sites' historical buildings. Moving on towards Lloyds Reserve and entering a Sheoak and Paperbark thicket. Seating is available at points along the track allowing you of a vantage point to admire the River. Red Banks Pool provides the John Masters Bird Hide, where you can be rewarded with sightings of some water birds that frequent the river. You may even catch a glimpse of a Long long-necked turtle sunning itself on a log. The Bird Hide also features interpretive signage with the local Aboriginal stories. A short distance from Bilya Walk Track is Extracts Weir and Millards Pool, a popular viewing point for the annual Avon Descent. Millards Pool is the perfect spot to launch a kayak or canoe for a pleasant paddle and is the site of Toodyay's original and only swimming pool. Remnants of the citrus orchards that once thrived there lead you towards the end of the track at Nardie Cemetery where many of Toodyay's pioneers were laid to rest.

Toodyay WA

77 km away

Connor's Mill Toodyay

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Connor's Mill Museum

Witness a working demonstration of the milling process using traditional methods and historic machinery at Connor’s Mill in Toodyay. The three-level immaculately restored heritage building is adjacent to the Toodyay Visitors Centre. The triple-storey brick mill was originally constructed around 1870 and was owned by businessman Daniel Connor. It was operated as a steam-powered flour mill for around 50 years before being converted to a powerhouse in the 1920s. Scenic Toodyay is one of Western Australia’s oldest towns and is located less than a one-hour drive from Perth. It is home to a number of resident artists and galleries which complement the rich heritage and historic feel of the town.

Toodyay WA

77 km away

Toodyay Miniature Railway Station

Amusement and Theme Parks

Toodyay Miniature Railway

The Toodyay Miniature Railway was opened in 1996 and is owned by a local hobby club. Trains run for approximately eight to nine minutes on the one-kilometre track. The trains run continuously throughout the day from 10am till 2pm for the trains to move away from the station. Closed shoes must be worn.

Toodyay WA

77 km away

Newcastle Gaol Toodyay

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Newcastle Gaol Museum Toodyay

Visit the Newcastle Gaol Museum Toodyay and you will feel like you have stepped back in time with the huge range of original artefacts on display. Explore the tiny cells and get a feeling of what life was like for the prisoners. Wander through the old Police stable and learn about Toodyay's colourful past. Built in 1865 out of stone and mortar, the Newcastle Gaol Museum is one of only five remaining convict-built gaols in Western Australia. Take a fascinating journey of discovery with displays that illustrate the history of the whole Toodyay region, as well as the Old Gaol itself. Each of the cells of the gaol displays individual themes. These include a war tragedy memorial, domestic and childhood memories, as well as the tale of the infamous bushranger Moondyne Joe. Hear the story of how the gaol was built at the request of the Resident Magistrate who was utterly enraged by Moondyne Joe’s repeated daring escapes from a previous lock-up. Historic Toodyay is one of Western Australia’s oldest towns and is located less than a one-hour drive from Perth. Enjoy the fascination of bygone bushranger days… right there at the Newcastle Gaol Museum in Toodyay.

Toodyay WA

77 km away

Pelham Reserve

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Pelham Reserve

Rising up the slopes, overlooking the town is Pelham Reserve. This Shire-managed Reserve covers over 50 hectares of bushland adjoining the southern part of the town area. It allows easily accessible opportunities to traverse some six-kilometres of signposted walk tracks. The Reserve is steep and hilly and provides many scenic viewpoints over the town and along the Avon Valley. The majority of this reserve is York Gum and Jam Woodland with Wandoo Woodland in the southern corner. At the main lookout are parking areas, picnic and toilet facilities and the James Drummond Memorial. In spring the slopes of Pelham Reserve are carpeted in pink Everlasting flowers. Pelham Reserve also contains many World War II features of interest and the dam and spillway associated with Toodyay’s original water supply.

Toodyay WA

78 km away

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