York WA

Travelled: 91km to York staying at the RV park.

It was a very wet morning as we pulled out of camp. On our way to York we detoured to a couple of places Mark had fond memories of… the Parky Tavern and the Chidlow Inn. 

As we drove in to York the clouds had lifted and the rain was clearing.

We parked in the RV park and crossed the suspension bridge over the Avon River to go and explore the town.

York is the oldest inland European settlement in Western Australia established in1835. Originally the region was important for its sheep, grain and sandalwood but then boomed during the gold rush as it was the last rail stop before the walk to the goldfields. The town boasts some beautiful old buildings from this era. We downloaded the York Walking Tour and listened to the history of many of these buildings of which many were built with convict labour.

The Town Hall is the most striking building here. It was completed in 1911 and is one of the largest public halls in Australia. It’s interior has superb pressed metal ceilings.

The Post Office and Courthouse buildings date from the 1840’s. There are 2 courtrooms, police station, troopers cottage, goal cells and stable yard that can be visited.

The York Motor Museum was established here in 1979 and has one of the finest private collection cars from all eras. Hopefully visit to tomorrow.

As there was only hotel/pub accommodation available that could be a bit unsavoury, one of the publicans set up rooms on their own to suit the more ‘respectable couples’. The bins and the red telephone boxes have historical info about the buildings and the town.

This building used to be a grocer but also made and sold ice-cream and still does. The original owner installed the clock for the town so that people could see the time if they were either coming or going. Unfortunately the bells ringing during the night were not popular with the residents. It appears that the clock no longer works.

The Imperial Hotel is made from the local stone. The verandas needed to be replaced after being destroyed in the 1968 Meckering Earthquake about 40km away.

St.Patrick’s Catholic Church designed in the grand Gothic Revival style was finished in 1886 designed by an Irish convict. 

We spotted a few of these sculptures around town. They are inspired from Wara Art made from excess straw leftover from the rice harvest. These ones depicting endangered species are made local wheat straw. 

And a few more …

Mark rated the pie from the bakery as the best he has had so far this trip! The f.a cakes were delicious too.

Then it was footy time…Go Bombers! Later we caught up via FaceTime with Michael and Pam exchanging travel tales of Oz now instead of the EU…The rain set in and we ended the day in Traky with spaghetti and a meatballs downed with a glass of rouge. Cheers.