York Self Drives - To the East I grant my happiness
Overview
“To the East, I grant my happiness and all I hold beloved…..” Sandra Jacks
Explore to the east of York and maybe you will hold it beloved - certainly we hope you’ll find happiness in driving through these unspoilt rural areas that offer peace and serenity in abundance.
Start your tour by getting to know the Avon Valley from the Lookout at the summit, which offers spectacular views of York and the surrounding countryside. A site regarded by the Ballardong Noongar people as highly culturally significant. 'Wongborel' means 'Sleeping Woman'.
Photo Credit: Swift Hound Films
About the Trail
Start off by setting the scene for your trip with panoramic views from the top of Wongborel (Mt. Brown) where the vistas stretch over the Avon Valley.
Resting at the foot of the hill are many early settlers under fascinating monuments, modest to majestic, in York Cemetery's best Gothic style. Peer down the same well where C19th prospectors would have drawn water and set off in their footsteps along the Goldfields road.
The trail forms two loops and you may choose to do all 71 kilometres, the 47km top loop or the 57km lower loop. Each loop includes approximately 10 kilometres of gravel road.
The hamlet of Quellington has a stone-built hall, still used for community functions today and the hamlet of Greenhills boasts a popular authentic country pub. In wildflower season take a 14km detour to the lovely Wallaby Hills Nature Reserve.
Time your return to York to finish up by looking around the York Residency Museum, which has intriguing exhibitions of Ballardong Noongar culture, convict and settler stories. This route can be linked with the York Self Drive 'Sky O'the North' route via Burges Siding Road.
Need to Know
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Time
Half to full day experience, dependent upon stops chosen. -
Distance
Trail has two options - 47km and 57km. Trails can be combined to create a 71km drive. Length is 71km (Loop). -
Trail Start (Loop)
York Visitor Centre, York Town Hall, 100km (1 Hour plus) east of Perth -
Degree of Difficulty
Easy - Suits majority of fitness and experience levels.
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.
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What to Pack?
Group A (Urban trails or short trails near facilities) required.
- Full large water bottle per person.
- Sturdy shoes
- Sun hat or bike helmet (compulsory in WA)
- Sunglasses, sunscreen (30+) and insect repellant
- Clothes to suit the activity and potential weather conditions
- Binoculars and camera (optional)
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Best Time of the Year
All year round. Especially scenic from late May to October -
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. No fuel service stations on route.
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Hazards & Warnings
This route includes gravel roads. Surface conditions can be changeable so slow right down, especially when cornering or braking, On narrow bitumen roads, slow right down before moving onto the gravel hard shoulder. -
Access to the Trail
Road -
Trail Contact
York Visitor Centre
Telephone: (08) 9641 1301
Email: info@york.wa.gov.au
Web: http://visit.york.wa.gov.au/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/shireofyork
