TOURISM

York is Western Australia’s first inland settlement; a heritage village with 175 years of living history to experience. Your journey starts here in historic York, WA’s first inland town, just 97kms from Perth.

The drive up from Perth takes you through our State Forrest giving you an opportunity to appreciate our native flora and fauna in their natural surroundings, past the Mundaring Weir offering you the chance to drop in and inspect one of our states’ major water storage facilities.

You can meander along Avon Terrace and encounter heritage buildings that encapsulate 19th century Victorian and Edwardian architecture including Sergeant’s Pharmacy, the Castle Hotel, Settlers House, the Old Post Office and the York Town Hall. Dine at one of York’s many cafés, restaurants’ or historic hotels.

York is host to many festivals, including the annual York Motorcycle Festival, the York Jazz Festival, the York Spring Garden Festival, Olive & Food Festival, York Motor Show, the Winter Festival as well as York’s fortnightly markets in Peace Park on the second Saturday of every month.

During spring ask our Visitor Centre staff where the best locations are to see vast arrays of wildflowers or ask about one of York’s many walk trails that follow the watercourse as it meanders through York and up to “Mount Brown Lookout” where you can experience impressive views from 342m AMSL.

Then we have tennis, swimming, farm visits and horse riding or for those with extreme appetites we have the local “Skydive Express” (1300 663 634) which offers the states most experienced and best equipped skydiving centre, “Windward Balloon Adventures” (08.96212000) provide sunrise balloon flights giving a unique view of the Avon Valley followed by a champagne breaky and the “Northam Aero Club” (08.96223248) is home to the states premier Flight Training Centre without all the air traffic experienced in larger centres.

A few Must-Do visits:

York’s Residency Museum – 08.96411751 (Managed by York Shire)

It was once a part of the convict depot and served for a couple of decades as the magistrates residence, then as a part of the York Hospital but now serves as a museum that has displays that cast a wide net over historical themes; you can have interactive experiences with the kids and visit the 19th and 20th century influences of the local buildings, convicts, Chinese, Indigenous Australian Culture and the Armed Services volunteers of the region.

Old Jail & Courthouse Complex – 08.96412072

The York Courthouse Complex, on Avon Terrace in York, Western Australia, was built from 1852 to 1896, and is one of our states’ most significant built sites from a heritage and architectural perspective. You can explore the intriguing story of country policing from the days of the first convicts and from the lofty grandeur of the court room to the stark prison cells, the York Courthouse Complex tells the story of its part in the 19th and 20th centuries.

York Motor Museum – 08.96411288 – Located Avon Terrace opened 1979

An engrossing Museum with vintage, veteran, classic and racing cars, motor bikes and bicycles – there’s also a lot of memorabilia, signage, photos and related paraphernalia on show! A bit of thought has been put into the display making it easy to navigate through the different sections.

The museum was a proposal of James Harwood, who suggested Peter Briggs buy a building for his motor vehicle collection. Harwood and Briggs had been collecting vehicles since the 1960s. For Briggs, that involvement came through local motor sports. Since 2017 the museum has been owned by the non-profit Avon Valley Motor Museum Association and is a community venture.

Avon Park next to the river – 08.96412233 – Great spot for a picnic

It is Located in Lowe Street and is a large grassed area which runs alongside our magnificent Avon River. There are free BBQ facilities (gas operated) with picnic tables and seating, toilets & playground areas for the kids, it also houses the convict built “Swinging / Suspension Bridge”, a great spot for a ‘Happy Snap’.

Mount Brown – Views are magnificent and located on the edge of town.

Mt Brown, just five minutes out of town provides a beautiful 360 degree panoramic view of York and its surrounds, from a viewpoint 342m above sea level.

It is also a wonderful setting for a picnic and barbecue.  Free gas barbecue, toilet and picnic table area is on the right just before the top of the lookout and there are many options for taking the “Happy Snaps”, reading the history of its ‘Dreamtime’, enjoying some peace and quiet or walking the trail.

York Mill – Ph: 0400 000 000 – 10 Henrietta St, York WA

Only one hour drive from Perth, the York Mill is a must-see destination for anyone visiting York. As well as possessing a remarkable history, the landmark York Mill (Built 1892) played a significant role in the development of the town, which thrived on the wheat and grain export industry; it provides a delightfully unique retail experience which offers an exciting array of art, giftware, home wares and more.

Enjoy a hearty meal amongst the artwork at the famous Flourmill Cafe, or you can relax outside under the 100 year old trees as you soak in the old country charm of the York Mill grounds.

York Town Hall – 08.96412233

Home of the York Visitor Centre, the Town Hall in Avon Terrace York was constructed in 1911 at a massive cost of £9,000 and is a significant part of Western Australia’s Heritage Building and National Trust Registers.

An architectural marvel with its soaring columns, ornate facade and significant fanlight over the main entrance, sweeping staircase and large clock are said to be styled in Federation Free Classical or Edwardian and also Victorian, depending on who; you talk to.