Guide to Toodyay Western Australia Australia

Toodyay is a historic town on the Avon River, about 85 km north-east of Perth and around an hour’s drive through the Perth Hills. Its main street, Stirling Terrace, is lined with 19th-century pubs, shops and cottages, and the town is famous as the haunt of Western Australia’s best-known bushranger, Moondyne Joe.

Toodyay is a popular day trip and weekend escape, with museums, a bakery known for its pies, wineries and riverside parks. The town is in the Shire of Toodyay, on Ballardong Noongar country. Its Noongar name, Duidgee, is said to mean place of plenty.

Known For

• Moondyne Joe and the Newcastle Gaol
• Stirling Terrace’s heritage streetscape
• Connor’s Mill
• The Moondyne Festival in May

Things To Do in Toodyay

Newcastle Gaol Museum

The old gaol on Clinton Street, completed in the 1860s, is now a museum precinct with the police stables, a 1907 lock-up and a shearing shed. It tells the story of Moondyne Joe, who escaped from the town’s lock-up in 1861. It opens daily from 10am to 3pm.

Connor’s Mill

Built in 1870, Connor’s Mill on Stirling Terrace is a steam-driven flour mill with hands-on displays about milling. Entry is through the visitor centre on Piesse Street, and it opens daily.

Stirling Terrace

The Toodyay Pioneer Heritage Trail and living history walks take in the old shopfronts, hotels, St Stephen’s Church and other heritage buildings. Duidgee Park on the river is good for picnics and barbecues.

Wineries and Distillery

Coorinja Winery, run by the same family since 1919, has historic cellars and tastings. Alicia’s Estate at Julimar has a winery and European restaurant, and Roam Distillery at Morangup makes biodynamic gin and vodka.

Emus and Archery

At Toodyay Holiday Park you can hand-feed emus for free, and Hoddywell Archery Park offers a round of archery in the bush.

Events

The Moondyne Festival on the first Sunday of May fills Stirling Terrace with costumes, re-enactments and music. The Avon Descent passes through in August, and the Toodyay Agricultural Show is held in October.

Where To Stay

Toodyay Caravan Park on Railway Road is on the river within walking distance of town, with cabins and a pool, and Toodyay Holiday Park & Chalets on Racecourse Road has powered and unpowered sites on 25 acres of bush, chalets with log fires and a dump point. Caravans can park for free in town during the day. All the roads in are sealed, though Toodyay Road is winding.

Toodyay Manor, in the former Newcastle Hotel of 1862, is a boutique inn on Stirling Terrace, and there are motels, B&Bs, farm stays and cottages around the valley.

Eat & Drink

The Toodyay Bakery on Stirling Terrace is famous for its pies and once won Australia’s best pasty. The Cola Cafe is a 1950s diner with a Coca-Cola collection, and there are cafés for ice cream and coffee. The Toodyay Hotel, formerly the Freemasons, and the Victoria Hotel serve pub meals.

History

The first village, now West Toodyay, was founded in 1836, but floods in 1857 and 1859 forced a move upstream to the convict depot site, which was proclaimed as the town of Newcastle in 1860. Moondyne Joe escaped from its lock-up in 1861. Connor’s Mill was built in 1870, and the gaol served as a state prison until 1909. The town was renamed Toodyay in 1910, and the main railway line through the Avon Valley arrived in 1966.

Getting to Toodyay

Toodyay is about 85 km from Perth, around an hour’s drive via Toodyay Road through Gidgegannup, or via the Great Eastern Highway and Clackline. Transwa’s AvonLink, MerredinLink and Prospector trains stop at Toodyay Station.

May brings the Moondyne Festival, spring brings wildflowers, and October the show. Summers are hot.