Holiday houses in York

York was the first inland European settlement in Western Australia, which explains the key appeal of this characterful Avon Valley country town for many visitors. Established in 1831, it’s packed with well-preserved colonial-era relics, from the opulent Edwardian town hall built in 1911 that currently houses the York Visitor Centre, to the York Courthouse Complex dating from the 1840s that now serves as a museum sharing the story of country policing. Housed in a historic house that once formed part of York’s Convict Depot, the Residency Museum is another must-visit.

Hugging the Avon River, Avon Park makes a perfect picnic spot, with plenty of shade, tables, free barbecues, and a historic swinging bridge. The Avon Valley is also known for its rich calendar of festivals and variety of options to get airborne, including skydiving, paragliding, and hot air balloon and ultralight flights.

York’s heritage attractions can be enjoyed year-round, but many people choose to time their visit with the wildflower season from September to November. York Visitor Centre staff can tell you where to admire local blooms, or you can simply download the Wildflowers of York brochure. Don’t miss the York Bushland Garden at the corner of Grey and Ford streets, which displays more than 300 species of Wheatbelt flora.

York is also known for its beautiful canola fields, which are blanketed with yellow flowers from mid-August into September. Remember to park your vehicle safely when stopping to view them, and respect private properties by staying out of the plantations. Also in September is the York Festival, which celebrates York’s art and culture with events from poetry slams to live art classes.

Take a heritage town road trip

The Avon Valley is full of historic towns. Hit the road to explore the heritage villages of Beverley, Brookton, Goomalling, New Norcia, Northam, and Toodyay, all which are all within a 90-minute drive from York. If you prefer to explore the towns on two feet, download or pick up the Avon Valley Walks, Wildflowers and Trails brochure from York Visitor Centre.

Enjoy the view from Mount Brown

A quick drive or an invigorating 7.5-kilometre-return walk from the centre of York, the lookout atop Mount Brown (which, at 342 metres above sea level, is really more of a hill) offers panoramic views of the township and the wider Wheatbelt region. At the foot of Mount Brown lies the historic York Cemetery, which contains a number of headstones marking the graves of early pioneers.

Go for a stroll back in time in Greenhills

Once a thriving town linked to York by rail, the historic village of Greenhills is worth a detour. Downloadable from the York Visitor Centre website, a heritage walking trail reveals the little-known past of this quiet rural community, just 25 kilometres east of York. Don’t miss the wooden St Andrew’s Anglican Church and the early settlers’ cemetery at the original town site on the Quairading-York Road.