Toodyay Manor is a small boutique hotel established in 1862 offering French provincial-styled accommodation; step back in time in the heart of the village, backing onto the Avon River, a short 60-minute drive from Perth through the beautiful Avon Valley.
Walk up the 160-year-old staircase to your room and you can enjoy the guest kitchen, library, outdoor fire pit in the byo beer garden or the balcony. Visit us to walk one of the many trails and tracks, festivals, wineries, and wildflowers or just re-charge and enjoy the peace and quiet of the country.
Buckland Estate is a grand heritage homestead that was established in 1836. It is located in the Avon Valley between Northam and Toodyay.
Originally it was built for farming and at the time was recognised as the largest private building in the colony. Today it has been fully renovated and specialises in accommodation, weddings and events. Accommodation for 2-60 people in the Homestead, freestanding cottages and Glamping Village. Email [email protected].
An hour south of Perth, the historic timber mill town of Jarrahdale is one of the State’s oldest settlements and offers visitors a unique and interesting day trip. In 1872 the first timber mill began operating near Gooralong Brook, and a 40km railway was built to transport jarrah to Rockingham on the coast where it was shipped to Europe, in many cases to build wooden roads. There are remains of these roads today in both London and Scotland. With 14 timber mills operating over the next 100 years, the small town grew to accommodate the workers and their families, and schools, churches, a hospital and taverns were established. The last timber mill closed in 1997, leaving Jarrahdale with a rich history and retaining many original timber cottages, churches and other significant buildings.
The road into Jarrahdale is picturesque with lush valleys and farmhouses, and one of the first places to visit is the Old Post Office and Museum, (open 10am – 4pm weekends and public holidays) which is full of historic collections, stories and photos offering a glimpse into this historic town’s past. There are over ten walk trails in the area, through pretty forests along well-marked tracks, and the staff at the Museum can tell you everything you need to know. Enjoy lunch at the local pub or there are several cafes to chose from, (the Jarrahdale General Store & Cafe is very popular!), visit the historic graves at the cemetery, or have a picnic in one of the many picnic areas. Close by is Millbrook Winery and Serpentine Dam. Why not stay a few days and really explore this historic area? Visit the website for a selection of accommodation choices.
The famous Fremantle Markets, established in 1897, is the Grand Dame of heritage buildings. It’s a must see destination in Fremantle with over 150 stalls, including fresh local produce such as cheese, honey and bread, jewellery, and quirky gifts. In The Yard smell the unique aromas of freshly roasted coffee and baking breads. Buy fresh seafood, meat and cheese, or visit Clara’s Wholefoods for olive oil and organic products. In the Hall there’s a fascinating fusion of music, art and culture, the home of local designers and quality gifts. Sample local beers at the market bar and listen to the local talent. Open: Fri 9am till 8pm, Sat, Sun & Mon Public Holidays 9am till 6pm (Yard open from 8am).
Located in the historic Artillery Barracks at Burt Street, Fremantle, the Army Museum exhibits takes visitors through a rich, historical story of Western Australians in the Australian Army from the early colonial times and conflicts to the Boer War and Afghanistan. The exhibits display the history of involvement in World Wars 1 & 2, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, Afghanistan and the hardships of prisoners of war, worldwide peacekeeping activities together with exhibits of Heraldry and Traditions. There is also an extensive display of tanks, artillery and military vehicles. Follow us on Facebook! – Army-Museum
Visiting times – 10.30am to 3.00pm (last entry at 1.00pm), Wednesday to Sunday. Visits take approximately two hours. All adult visitors to the museum must have the appropriate photo ID.
The Fremantle Arts Centre is a multi-arts organisation which was built by convicts in 1864. This historic site was originally the first purpose built ‘lunatic asylum’ in Western Australia, and in 1909 it was declared a Poor House, which housed poor and elderly women.
Fremantle Arts Centre (FAC) is a multidisciplinary contemporary arts hub situated in Walyalup (Fremantle) on Whadjuk Nyoongar Boodjar, a place celebrated for its innovation, culture and creativity. Housed in an extraordinary gothic heritage building and lush leafy grounds, FAC’s annual program includes curated contemporary visual arts exhibitions and a diverse range of multi-disciplinary performance, music and conversations. FAC supports a unique artist in residence program, extensive creative learning classes and support WA designers and makers via its shop FOUND.
Explore Perth’s unique history, food, culture, and art on the city’s original and best walking tour with Two Feet and a Heartbeat. From themed walking tours, arcades and laneways to our delicious fromage tour, you will get a unique perspective on the people, culture, food, history and arts of Western Australia.
At the heart of the experience is a team of highly qualified, local guides who host in a professional yet relaxed manner, on award-winning itineraries. They accommodate any group size in Perth and Western Australia and it’s their local knowledge, established community connections and ability to think outside the box that sets them apart. Two Feet was voted the best tour in Perth three years in a row.
Get 15% off Two Feet & a Heartbeat‘s regularly scheduled walking tours when you book online using the code: helloperth. See the Hello Perth Exclusive Discounts page for more details on this discount.
The Fremantle Roundhouse is the oldest public building in the state of Western Australia. Opened in January 1831, it was built to hold any person convicted of a crime in the settlement until 1886. Since then it’s been a Police Lock up, accommodation for the Water Police, and a storage facility for the Fremantle Ports. Today it’s a popular historical tourist attraction, with sweeping views over the city, Fishing Boat Harbour and the Indian Ocean. The Fremantle Roundhouse is open between 10.30am and 3.30pm every day except Christmas Day and Good Friday. The ‘Fremantle Volunteer Heritage Guides’ office is also manned every week day between 10am and 3.30pm. The cannon is fired daily at 1pm. If you attend you may even be able to trigger the shot!
At the heart of Fremantle, the beautifully restored National Hotel is serving quality food and premium beverages seven days a week for breakfast (at weekends), lunch and dinner. The ground floor comprises a traditional style pub, with a 60 seat alfresco area on High Street, a 4 metre high bar display with an extensive selection of premium spirits, cocktails and wines complimented by a lengthy array of tap beers. They also offer innovative promotional nights such as live comedy, open mic or see some of the finest live music Fremantle has to offer.
The National Hotel has 12 boutique, heritage rooms aimed at the more discerning traveller. The rooms feature private en-suites and individual heritage styling with all mod cons. Some rooms have verandahs overlooking the streets of Fremantle and others are tucked away in the eaves of the building featuring Parisian style views across the rooftops of the port city. Some rooms feature hand made beds by local woodworkers, local artwork on the walls and of course the convenience of having Fremantle’s best bar and restaurant downstairs. The sensational rooftop bar offers stunning 360 degree views of Fremantle, the port and even out to Rottnest. A perfect spot for a function, wedding, special event or just come along on a Sunday when it is open to all. There’s nothing quite like this rooftop, make sure you bring a camera!
Fremantle Prison is Western Australia’s only World Heritage listed building. Built by convicts in the 1850s, Fremantle Prison was used as a place of incarceration for 136 years. Decommissioned as a maximum security gaol in 1991, the prison is a monument to a system of punishment that is uncomfortably recent. Step inside and do time with Fremantle Prison’s experienced guides on a Prison Day Tour, Tunnels Tour adventure or spooky Torchlight Tour. Fremantle Prison is open 7 days a week and the Prison Gatehouse is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm daily, and later on Wednesday and Friday evenings.
