York Cycle Rides - The Heron’s Highway
Details for trail on a map
Trail Start
Get directionsSuspension bridge, Avon Park, York. Approximately 100 kilometres and 1 hour plus from Perth.
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The York Agricultural Society, who petitioned the British Government to send convicts to WA, held their Annual Show and fair here until the 1890s, when Municipal Gardens were developed. It's now a great spot for a family outing and picnic, with natureplay area, skatepark and BBQs. Photo: lisanicoleimagery.com.au / Shire of York
Warning - unstable surface - it swings!
Cyclists dismount. Have fun and a fantastic view of the river as you sashay and sway across! This is a replica of the first suspension bridge erected in 1888 nearer to the current South Street roadbridge. Photo: Karina Leonhardt
Cyclists dismount. Have fun and a fantastic view of the river as you sashay and sway across! This is a replica of the first suspension bridge erected in 1888 nearer to the current South Street roadbridge. Photo: Karina Leonhardt
Made famous by Janet Millett, wife of the rev. Edward Millett, chaplain at York 1863-1869. Her book 'An Australian Parsonage' gives a lively personal view of life in York during the convict era. Only the Rectory kitchen remains from her day. Photo: Shire of York
Consecrated in 1858, when convicts would have worshipped here. The tower and other additions were added between 1891 and 1905. It contains a magnificent Alfred Pease pipe organ and stained glass windows designed by Robert Juniper. Photo: Debbie Matthews
Turn left into Newcastle Street or you may choose to do the Cemetery loop by going straight ahead into Pool street.
Turn left into Newcastle Street or you may choose to do the Cemetery loop by going straight ahead into Pool street.
A lovely example of Flemish bond brickwork; alternating headers(ends) and stretchers(long sides) of bricks in patterned rows. Photo: heritageintelligencewa.com.au
A mudbrick walled and shingle-roofed cottage built on the land originally allocated to Pensioner Guard John Kairey. Pensioner Guards were granted land for services guarding convicts on the voyage to Australia. Photo: heritageintelligencewa.com.au
Turn towards the river and you can meander along the east bank, retracing your steps to either cross at the ford in summertime or continue the Heron's Highway via Newcastle street.
Turn towards the river and you can meander along the east bank, retracing your steps to either cross at the ford in summertime or continue the Heron's Highway via Newcastle street.
The ancient ford crossing is usually passable in summer from October through to April. Unlevel, unstable path surface (rocky). Cyclists dismount. Take great care if there is water flowing and do not use in winter months or at any time if water is more than ankle deep. Photo: Shire of York
Site of Noongar significance, Bilya means bellybutton - the umbilical cord, source of life. For thousands of years the river was a rich source of food and water for the Ballardong people.
Photo: Karina Leonhardt
Photo: Karina Leonhardt
A rare example of C19th vernacular commercial architecture, built as a depot for early settler William Marwick's farming and horse drawn haulage business. Photo: heritageintelligencewa.com.au
The builder was Pensioner Guard Stephen Hogan, an Irishman from the 17th Regiment, who arrived in 1856. He prospered enough to buy several parcels of land from 1860 onwards and built this fine stone house on one. Photo: heritageintelligencewa.com.au
Site of Noongar significance. Named in memory of Candice Bateman, a young Ballardong Noongar teenager who died in a tragic accident in 2001.
To get to the next riverside section of the trail, turn left at Cowan Street. You may also choose to return via Cardwell and Lincoln streets, visiting the cemetery en route.
To get to the next riverside section of the trail, turn left at Cowan Street. You may also choose to return via Cardwell and Lincoln streets, visiting the cemetery en route.
Site of Noongar significance. One hundred acres of land on the east river bank was the site of the 'Gerald Mission' a short-lived, failed project, led by Wesleyan missionary Rev. Smithies. Photo: National Library of Australia, Trove Newspapers, Perth Gazette, 12/11/1852
Your route takes you along the riverbank and emerges at the corner of Newcastle and Lewis streets, you can turn left for a scenic circular route of the hills or return down Newcastle st.
Your route takes you along the riverbank and emerges at the corner of Newcastle and Lewis streets, you can turn left for a scenic circular route of the hills or return down Newcastle st.
Walwalying means 'the hill that cries' and is of immense cultural significance to the Ballardong Noongar people. Photo: Gerry Gerard
Site of Noongar significance. A site Regarded by the Ballardong Noongar people as highly culturally significant. 'Wongborel' means 'Sleeping Woman'. Photo: Shire of York
Take a rest at Candice Bateman Memorial Park, then return via Newcastle st. or take the cemetery loop.
Take a rest at Candice Bateman Memorial Park, then return via Newcastle st. or take the cemetery loop.
High Victorian Gothic at its best! Discover tragic tales amongst the tombstones and some of the most impressive sculptural monuments in W.A. A cemetery walk trail booklet is available from the Visitor Centre at the Town Hall. Photo: Debbie Matthews
Return to the suspension bridge via Mount and Pool sts.
Return to the suspension bridge via Mount and Pool sts.
Trails WA supports the seven principles recommended by Leave No Trace Australia for minimising your impacts when using the trails.
Learn moreAbout York Cycle Rides - The Heron’s Highway
A quiet, easy ride suitable for families, both leisure cyclists and mountain bikers on dual use (walkers and cyclists) dirt and gravel riverside tracks and the quiet back roads of York.
Loops of varying distance from 2.6 kilometres to 7 kilometres can be ridden singly or combined. Starting from the suspension bridge in Avon Park, past a cluster of heritage buildings the trail meanders beside the Avon River. It emerges onto bitumen roads that provide gentle slopes and scenic views of Walwaling (Mt. Bakewell) and Wongborel (Mt. Brown).
Candice Bateman Memorial Park is a great place for a rest stop or picnic with facilities and play equipment. You can take a loop past the York Cemetery with its imposing C19th High Victorian Gothic sculptural monuments or return along Newcastle street to the suspension bridge and Avon Park.
York is just over an hour’s drive from Perth through beautiful bush and rolling farmland and has several linking walk and cycle trails that you can mix and match to suit yourself.
York Visitor Centre
Other Links
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Trail map
Map and further information
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Wikipedia York
Further information about York's heritage places
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InHerit
State Heritage Office database of heritage places
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Residency Museum
Further information about York's history, including convicts
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Trove Newspapers
Online resource from National Library of Australia
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Experience Perth
Comprehensive information on the Perth region including destinations, things to see and do, accommodation and tours.
Be trail ready for York Cycle Rides - The Heron’s Highway
Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.
Time / Duration
1-3 hours
Length
Loops of varying distance from 2.6km to 7km
What To Pack
Group A (Urban trails or short trails near facilities) required.
What To Pack
Group A (Urban trails or short trails near facilities)
- Full large water bottle per person.
- Sun hat or bike helmet (compulsory in WA).
- Sunglasses, sunscreen (30+) and insect repellant.
- Clothes to suit the activity and potential weather conditions (See suggestions below).
- Binoculars and camera (optional).
Trail Start
Suspension bridge, Avon Park, York. Approximately 100 kilometres and 1 hour plus from Perth.
Trail End
Mountain Bike
Easiest
Likely to be a fire road or wide single track with a gentle gradient, smooth surface and free of obstacles. Frequent encounters are likely with other cyclists, walkers, runners and horse riders. For beginner/novice cyclists in good health with basic bike skills. Suitable for most bikes.
Difficulty Notes
Cyclists should dismount when crossing the suspension bridge, unstable surface - it swings! There is an optional ford crossing in summer months only (usually passable from October through to April ) where cyclists should dismount as the surface is rocky and unstable.
Hazards & Warnings
Cyclists dismount when crossing the suspension bridge, - it swings! Optional ford crossing in summer months only (usually passable from October to April ) cyclists dismount as surface is rocky and unstable. Beware snakes in summer months.Facilities
There are public toilets, picnic facilities, water and play equipment for children in Avon Park (the other side of the suspension bridge) and Candice Bateman Memorial Park.Parking is in Janet Millett Lane or near Avon Park. There is a fenced, dog off-lead exercise area adjacent to Candice Bateman Memorial Park.
- Car Park
- Dog Friendly
- Picnic Area
- Public Toilet
- Water Access Points
Best time of year
All year round. Temperatures can be hot during January and February.
Fees
Trail Access
Road
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Holy Trinity Anglican Church (1854)
Built in 1854 and consecrated in 1858, convicts would have worshipped here. The tower and other additions were added between 1891 and 1905. It contains a magnificent Alfred Pease pipe organ and stained glass windows designed by Robert Juniper.
Candice Bateman Memorial Park site of Noongar significance
Named in memory of Candice Bateman, a young Ballardong Noongar teenager who died in a tragic accident in 2001. A great place for a picnic with toilets, water, children's play equipment and there is a fenced dog off-lead exercise area nearby.
Walwalying (Mt. Bakewell) site of Noongar significance
Walwalying means 'The Hill that Cries' and is a site of immense cultural significance to the Ballardong Noongar people. This route gives you one of the best views of the hill as you come down Andrews Avenue
Cemetery (Herbert Road)
High Victorian Gothic at its best! Discover tragic tales amongst the tombstones and some of the most impressive examples of C19th sculptural monuments in W.A. A Cemetery walk trail booklet is available from the Visitor Centre in York Town Hall.View 4 Photos of York Cycle Rides - The Heron’s Highway
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