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Toodyay Town – View From Pelham Hill Reserve

If you are planning tours in Australia make sure you schedule in adequate time to enjoy the tourism attractions of the beautiful tourist towns to the north east of Perth WA. Most of these wonderful old towns were built way back in the early to mid 1800’s. Fortunately, the residents of many of these old towns saw fit to retain most of the original business buildings, government establishments and hotels. Much restoration has been undertaken on these national treasures and the buildings have been restored to original condition. They are a visual pleasure for us folk of the 21st century to behold. Toodyay is an outstanding gem of a town to visit.

Each year we enjoy spending a few days in various towns not too far from our home on the northern beach area of Perth. Last weekend, the 30th and 31st August, we visited the delightful town of Toodyay, around 84 kilometres north east of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. From our home on the coast, Toodyay is a pleasant, leisurely drive of a similar distance.

We left home around 1 pm last Saturday. Driving east across the rather flat coastal strip regions of Joondalup and Wanneroo, meeting the Great Northern highway at Bullsbrook. The Great Northern Highway extends northwards to the north west towns of Geraldton, Broome, and eventually to far north regions such as Darwin in the Northern Territory. We continued eastward, enjoying a drive across green, rolling hill country through the Chittering Valley, via Julimar Road to Toodyay. On arrival we booked into our Motel Unit situated to the rear of the Freemason’s Hotel which is located in the main street of Toodyay.

The Glorious Old Freemason’s Hotel – Stirling Street, Toodyay

One immediate observation was that the staff at the old Freemason’s Hotel were down to earth and friendly. A distinct difference to many establishments back in Perth where big city indifference usually produces a much colder reception. The Freemason’s Hotel is a walk back into history. Large public bar, pleasant dining areas both inside, and outside on cool porches to cope with the summer heat. Huge old style timber staircase leading up to the internal hotel accommodation. Without doubt some internal features could do with some restoration in order to match the work already carried out externally. However that all takes lots of money…maybe one day?

We settled our overnight luggage into the Motel Unit situated at the rear of the hotel. They only have three units. These were recently refurbished and while providing basic requirements, they are comfortable and clean. Nothing spectacular mind you. However, quite adequate for a couple of night’s stay. These would be the pick of Motel accommodation available in this relatively small country town. The only other accommodation options would be staying in the hotels, of which there are a couple, or else booking into B & B’s of which quite a few are on offer.

This trip We preferred a Motel unit as we wanted to be within easy walking distance to cafes, restaurants and the main town tourist attractions. Most of the better B & B’s are some distance out of town.

After freshening up we left the car in front of the Motel unit and went for a walking tour of central Toodyay. I would add that we have visited Toodyay many times over many years. However I dont think you can really get a full grasp on an area until you have enjoyed a day or two walking around the town. Our first port of call was to find a cafe for a much needed coffee. On our last visit we had enjoyed an excellent afternoon tea at a cafe called The Cola Cafe & Museum located almost opposite the Freemason’s Hotel.

We walked to where the cafe was situated last visit only to find the old brick building closed for business. After a couple of questions to a local we discovered that the Cola Cafe had built a new premises close by. Now our previous visit was only some three years ago. In that short space of time the Cola Cafe had moved into new premises! Shades of the 21st century..close your eyes for an instant & the world will change…well at least in Western Australia!

Cola Cafe & Museum – Stirling Terrace, Toodyay

The Cola Cafe is much more than purely a stopping place for a quick lunch and coffee. In fact there is a fascinating reason you will wish to stay much longer. The Cola Cafe is a museum displaying some 6,000 items of memoriabilia exhibits purely related to “Coca Cola”. They have the lot. From coke bottles, cans, radios, hats and ever onwards. You can get more details at the Cola Cafe website. Even though we visited only a few years ago we enjoyed a more detailed inspection of these fascinating items from “memory lane” of Coca Cola since the products beginnings way back in the late 1800’s in the USA…a must see on your Toodyay visit.

We enjoyed some delicious cake and coffee (not good for you I know, however sometimes…enjoy!) and then walked some of the calories off. The walk to the road bridge over the Avon river is not far. In that same region is a pleasant park, BBQ’s and toilets. Also nearby to the Cola Cafe are two venues well worth visiting.

The first venue is the Toodyay Visitor’s Information Centre.

The staff in the centre were most helpful, very friendly and obviously delighted to answer all questions relating to their lovely old, & historic town. The centre offers lots of free brochures on what & where to visit the many historic sites.

The other venue well worth visiting is Connor’s Mill. This beautifully restored old three storey building was originally built in 1870 and has a fascinating history which was extremely important to Toodyay.

Besides it’s original purpose as a mill to crush wheat (a major crop in the region), the steam engine, etc; located on the ground floor of the old mill, became the town’s source of electricity prior to Toodyay being connected to the Perth power grid in 1955. You can find more information about this grand old building at the Toodyay Website.

Our afternoon passed very quickly. During our town walk we looked for a restuarant to dine that evening. We wanted somewhere closeby that we could walk to and from. That way all can enjoy a few glasses of wine without forcing one person to abstain in order to not get into trouble with the law. We inspected the menus at the Freemasons, the Victoria Hotel and unfortunately the Cola Cafe closed at 5 pm. Then we spotted the 123 Restuarant sitting on top of the bakery shop almost opposite the Freemason’s Hotel. We made a booking, although we felt sure the place would not be too busy. Boy were we in for a surprise!

That’s the “123 Restaurant” with the umbrellas and plastic wind curtains, situated atop  a fantastic “Bakery”. When we arrived at the restaurant at 6.30 pm there were just ourselves and one other couple. The establishment is superbly presented. We selected a table on the weather protected porch in order to be able to overlook the main street of Toodyay. A gas heater made sure all were warm & snug. The sunset, & as the western sky darkened, the lights came on made that an excellent choice. The service and attention from the staff at the “123″ was superb. The menu was excellent. Our mains were delicious. Full compliments to the “123″ Management and Staff.

And as I mentioned earlier we received a real surprise as to the popularity of this restaurant in a medium sized town of 800 or so people. By 7.30 pm the place was packed…and yet the Staff continued to provide excellent service to every table. Make sure you book your table at the “123″. Well worth the visit!

Unfortunately,  I have to admit to one little annoyance. During the night we discovered something else about Toodyay. The town has a main railway track passing smack near the town centre. Every hour or so I awoke to the sound of very powerful diesel engines throbbing their way through the town. Ah well, life wasn’t meant to be perfect!

Sunday morning we checked out of the Freemason’s and wandered across Stirling Terrace for another visit to the Cola Cafe. We enjoyed an excellent breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausages, etc, which was in my humble opinion a bit light on in content compared to recent brekkies at the “Goose” cafe in Busselton. Maybe the owner thinks he is doing the right thing by keeping our consumption of “fatty foods” low?

After breakfast we went for another stroll to visit a few remaining places of interest. The Emporium required a drive to get to as it is located at the southern end of town. However this intriguing old shop is loaded with “antiques-collectables-old wares” and new & used furniture. Even though I generally dread shopping I found the Emporium fascinating.

Our next visit was a short drive to visit the old Toodyay Gaol. Now this is well worth the short drive. Situated about 1.5 kilometres from the town centre this beautifully restored old building from the mid 1800’s is a must see. The Old Gaol Museum covers the historic period of the era of Moondyne Joe, Western Australia’s famous bushranger. The retired couple who were in attendance were a mine of knowledge and could not do enough to help. The cost to enter the restored premises is only $3. Well worth the visit. Find out more about the Old Goal Museum

The Old Toodyay Goal & Museum

Sadly our time to depart Toodyay arrived too quickly and we headed back home via some fantastic bushland and wildflower country. Make sure you place Toodyay on your Western Australia tourist destination list!

The following are a few photos of some of the glorious colours on our trip home:

Fields of Golden Yellow – Julimar Road – West of Toodyay

Beautiful Blue “Love Creeper” – Julimar Road – West of Toodyay

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