“South of my day’s circle…the high lean country full of old stories….” Judith Wright.
This trail follows the Avon River through some of the most fertile farmland to Beverley and returns along a high scenic route.
Follow the Avon River and see signs in the landscape of the Ballardong Noongar culture that predates white settlement by thousands of years. Travelling through some of the earliest settled farmland you'll encounter tiny Churches, barns and bridges, all poignant pointers to life in early settlement days.
Beverley makes a great lunch stop with country pubs and cafes; have fun spotting the unexpected Art Deco architecture, aeroplane, murals and even a geodesic dome in this quiet country town. Return to York along the Top Beverley road for some of the best views of the Avon Valley and its unspoilt landscape.
All of this route is on bitumen roads, apart from one short section of gravel track leading to a Church. Please take care and drive SLOWLY on country roads, beware of livestock, kangaroos and large farm machinery . Includes sections of gravel roads. Please take care and drive SLOWLY on country roads, beware of livestock, kangaroos and large farm machinery . Slow right down, especially when cornering, braking, or moving onto gravel hard shoulders on narrow bitumen roads.
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. Fuel service stations, Public telephone and many cafes in Avon Terrace. Lots of children's hands-on activities at the Residency Museum. Beverley has a Visitor Centre, public toilets, pubs and cafes and fuel service station.
Cafe
Camping
Car Park
Coach Parking
First Aid Equipment
Public Telephone
Public Toilet
Shaded Area
Sheltered Area
Shop
All accessible toilet facilities
Visitor Information Centre
Best time of year
All year round. Especially scenic from late May to mid-October
Trails are free and bring so many benefits to our community by providing opportunities to have fun, get fit, socialise, explore and challenge yourself. But they also have to be managed and maintained which only is made possible through terrific sponsors, donations and/or volunteering.
Shire of York
Wargyl (Rainbow Serpent) track, site of Noongar significance (private property, view from roadside only)
Much older than the farming landscape are the surrounding hills which speak of Ballardong Noongar cultural heritage. Look out for the Wargyl (Rainbow Serpent) track to your right; bare land in a distinct trail up the hillside.
St. Peter's Church, Gilgering (1858)
Discover connections to the past by wandering among the early settlers' graves in this tranquil sanctuary beside the Avon.
Shire of York
St. Paul's Church, Edwards Crossing (1859) State Registered Heritage Place 00144
An exquisite tiny Church with original bell outside; a poignant reminder of a rural past. A rare convict-period mud brick church; the only surviving built element of the Edwards Crossing settlement. Consecrated by Bishop Hale of Perth on 4 May 1862, when a newspaper correspondent reported that 'the interior is neat, and its scarlet trimmings are very well arranged'.
Shire of York
Residency Museum (1850s)
The last remaining part of York's Convict Depot. Time your journey to get here in Museum opening hours of 1-3pm Tues, Weds, Thurs, and 11am-3.30pm at weekends. Visitors say "it's like a Tardis - there's so many exciting, colourful exhibitions and child-friendly hands-on activities in here".
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