York Self Drives - Sky O’the North
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Trail Start
Get directionsYork Visitor Centre, York Town Hall, 100km (1hour plus) east of Perth
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A nationally significant landmark, its grand Edwardian opulence reflecting the town's prosperity through agriculture and the gold rushes of the 1890's. York Visitor Centre is located here. Photo: Shire of York
Set out on your journey heading towards Perth on the Great Southern Highway.
Set out on your journey heading towards Perth on the Great Southern Highway.
Entry is up Fairways Drive through the Golf Course and it is a lovely walk at any time of year, situated within and adjacent to the golf course area. Granite areas and laterite hilltop and ridge. Marri, Sheoak and Wandoo woodland.
Best Features: Woodlands, Hibbertia, Leschenaultia, Grass Trees, Orchids, Stylidium, many Proteaceae and pea flowers. Photo: Audrey Sole
Best Features: Woodlands, Hibbertia, Leschenaultia, Grass Trees, Orchids, Stylidium, many Proteaceae and pea flowers. Photo: Audrey Sole
Turn into Ashworth road (gravel) to find delicious treats including the freshest Extra Virgin Oilve Oil, pressed here on site, jams, award-winning speciality ice cream and real bread at this foodie paradise, open at weekends. Say hello to the Wara Art straw sculpture of the endangered Western Ground Parrot, perched outside.
Photo: Ilsa Bennion
Carry on up Ashworth road until you reach a T junction and turn left into Mokine Road for a spectacular scenic drive, the roadside is dotted with wildflowers in season.
Photo: Ilsa Bennion
Carry on up Ashworth road until you reach a T junction and turn left into Mokine Road for a spectacular scenic drive, the roadside is dotted with wildflowers in season.
From August until October the Nature Reserves in the Shire of York are a plant photographer's paradise. Call in at Wambyn Reserve to see Wandoo and sheoak woodlands with granite outcrops and laterite ridges.
Best Features: Wandoo, Orchids, Acacia, Hibbertia, Daisies. No vehicle access.
Photo: Audrey Sole
Best Features: Wandoo, Orchids, Acacia, Hibbertia, Daisies. No vehicle access.
Photo: Audrey Sole
Tucked away just off the main Great Southern Highway, look out for the sign to St. Ronan's Well, a spring-fed watering point used by the Ballardong Noongar people and developed into a well by early settlers. There are actually two wells here, a large and small one, see if you can find both.
Photo: Shire of York
Photo: Shire of York
Turn down Wambyn road (gravel) to find Mt. Ronan Reserve (not St. Ronan's Well) A diverse range of habitat including hilltop, granite, gully, gravel ridges and sandplain.
Best Features: Powderbark Wandoo, Drosera, Orchids, Stylidium, Verticordia, many Proteaceae and pea plants. No vehicle access.
Photo: Audrey Sole
Best Features: Powderbark Wandoo, Drosera, Orchids, Stylidium, Verticordia, many Proteaceae and pea plants. No vehicle access.
Photo: Audrey Sole
Another option is to carry on the Great Southern Highway a little further until you reach the Wandoo National Park. A short walk trail leads from the shaded picnic area at Mount Observation to an animal viewing hide overlooking a winter flowing creek. Photo: Audrey Sole
Take Wambyn road (gravel) left off the Great Southern Highway and turn right into Leaver road to reach Mokine Reserve.
An excellent short walk in the Northam area, the off-track Mokine Walk GPS Route explores the small but spectacular Mokine Nature Reserve. Dominated by outstandingly beautiful Wandoo forest, the walk features some excellent views from laterite breakaways and an incredible natural wall of granite in the middle of the forest.
Photo: Eric Ayling
https://thelongwaysbetter.blogspot.com/2019/05/mokine-walk-gps-route.html
An excellent short walk in the Northam area, the off-track Mokine Walk GPS Route explores the small but spectacular Mokine Nature Reserve. Dominated by outstandingly beautiful Wandoo forest, the walk features some excellent views from laterite breakaways and an incredible natural wall of granite in the middle of the forest.
Photo: Eric Ayling
https://thelongwaysbetter.blogspot.com/2019/05/mokine-walk-gps-route.html
As you travel up Mokine road, look out for the rare sight of hundreds of grass trees , called Bor or Balga in Noongar language, on an open hillside to your right.
Photo: Shire of York
From the Leaver road junction to Spencers Brook Road the surface is gravel.
At the junction of Mokine and Spencers Brook road, you can choose to go left to Clackline and Toodyay, or right to Spencers Brook and Northam.
Photo: Shire of York
From the Leaver road junction to Spencers Brook Road the surface is gravel.
At the junction of Mokine and Spencers Brook road, you can choose to go left to Clackline and Toodyay, or right to Spencers Brook and Northam.
Clackline picnic area offers a great rest stop with toilets, BBQ's, heritage information, a scenic rocky gully and even a majestic lion! Photo: JarrahTree...commons.wikimedia.org
Well known for their hearty home cooking. Relax and unwind while enjoying a glass of local ale in the attractive Beer Garden or beside a cosy fire in winter in this historic country pub. Photo: Gaye Lummis
Feeling refreshed, you can head off to Northam or take the Spencers Brook road back to York.
Feeling refreshed, you can head off to Northam or take the Spencers Brook road back to York.
Whilst in the district, discover the living Ballardong Noongar heritage of this area in this stunning purpose-built exhibition space. It makes a perfect family day out beside the Avon river in Northam.
Photo: Shire of Northam
Photo: Shire of Northam
Keep a lookout for the Explorer's marker stone on your left as you travel back towards York on Spencers Brook Road. The stone marks the approximate spot that the first European explorers sighted the Avon River in 1830
Photo: Shire of York
Photo: Shire of York
Plan your journey to book the ultimate adrenalin rush at Skydive York - and get a totally different view of the beautiful Avon Valley! Or just keep an eye open for the multi-coloured parachutes floating gently down at weekends.
Photo: Skydive Australia
Photo: Skydive Australia
Trails WA supports the seven principles recommended by Leave No Trace Australia for minimising your impacts when using the trails.
Learn moreAbout York Self Drives - Sky O’the North
From York, head towards Perth on the Gt. Southern Highway, then turn down Ashworth road where at the weekends you'll find a Wara Art straw sculpture and delicious goodies at York Olive Oil and Ice Creamery.
The route then passes through some of the most scenic farmland along Mokine road, but if it's wildflower season (August to mid-October) you may prefer an alternative route taking in several beautiful Nature Reserves.
Spencers Brook Tavern makes a great lunch stop and there's the option to divert to Northam for the Bilya Koort Boodja Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Turning left will take you via Clackline to Toodyay, another charming small country town. Return along Spencers Brook road to York. This trail links up with York Self Drives - 'The Wonder of the West' route via the Gt. Southern Highway and with 'To the East I grant my happiness' route via Burges Siding Road.
Visitor Information Centres
Other Links
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Trail map
Map and further information
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York Wildflowers leaflet
Further information about wildflowers in Shire of York Reserves
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WA Wildflower Society
Peak body for wildflower interests in Western Australia, see York or Eastern Hills Branches for further information, walks, talks etc
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Inherit WA
State Heritage Office database of heritage places - see St. Ronan's Well
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Country Pubs WA
History of the Spencers Brook Tavern
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Bilya Koort Boodja
Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Northam
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Department of Parks & Wildlife
Further information about Wandoo National Park
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The long way's better blogspot
A great description of a walk in Mokine Reserve
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Walk GPS
A subscription service for GPS bushwalking directions, including Mokine Reserve
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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 Self Drives - Sky O’the North
Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.
Time / Duration
Half or full day experience, dependent on choices
Length
96km loop
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 End
4WD
Easiest
All-wheel Drive and High Range 4WD vehicles. Suitable for Novice Drivers.
Difficulty Notes
Includes sections of gravel roads. Please take care and drive SLOWLY on country roads, beware of livestock, kangaroos and large farm machinery . Surface conditions on gravel roads can be changeable, so slow right down, especially when cornering, braking, or moving onto gravel hard shoulders on narrow bitumen roads.
Hazards & Warnings
This route includes gravel roads. Surface conditions can be changeable so slow right down especially when cornering/braking. Please take care and drive slowly on country roads, beware of livestock, kangaroos and large farm machinery.Facilities
In York: Car and coach parking, water access and public toilets at Howick street. Town Hall has Visitor Centre with shop, water access and public toilets with toilet for people with disabilities and first aid equipment during opening hours 9.30am-4pm daily. Public telephone and many cafes in Avon Terrace. Northam and Toodyay have similar facilities.- Cafe
- Car Park
- Dog Friendly
- First Aid Equipment
- Public Toilet
- Toilet Facilities for Disabled
- Visitor Information Centre
- Water Access Points
Best time of year
All year round. Especially scenic during late May to mid-October
Trail Access
Road 2WD
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Oswald Sargent Nature Reserve
Entry is up Fairways Drive through the Golf Course and it is a lovely walk at any time of year. situated within and adjacent to the golf course area. Granite areas and laterite hilltop and ridge. Marri, Sheoak and Wandoo woodland. Best Features: Woodlands, Hibbertia, Leschenaultia, Grass Trees, Orchids, Stylidium, many Proteaceae and pea flowers.
St. Ronan's Well (State Registered Heritage Place 4183 )
Tucked away just off the main Great Southern Highway, look out for the sign to St. Ronan's Well, a spring-fed watering point used by the Ballardong Noongar people and developed into a well by early settlers. There are actually two wells here, a large and small one, see if you can find both.
Spencers Brook Tavern (1884)
Well known for their hearty home cooking. Relax and unwind while enjoying a glass of local ale in the attractive Beer Garden or beside a cosy fire in winter in this historic country pub. Feeling refreshed, you can head off to Northam or take the Spencers Brook road back to York.
Bilya Koort Boodja Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Northam
Whilst in the district, discover the living Ballardong Noongar heritage of this area in this stunning purpose-built exhibition space. It makes a perfect family day out beside the Avon River in Northam.View 4 Photos of York Self Drives - Sky O’the North
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