Avon - Chittering Valley: the start of the Australian outback.

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The Avon - Chittering Valley is a beautiful valley just east and north of Perth (Western Australia, Australia), home to the pretty Avon Valley River which is popular for the yearly Avon descent canoeing and Western Australia's famous Spring Wildflowers.

The area starts after only a forty minute drive from the City yet it is the start of the Outback with acres of rolling farmland.

This heritage country is scattered with colonial homesteads set among undulating farmland. Hot air ballooning, farmstays and guesthouses extend you the warmest of welcomes, offering not just a bed but their friendship and time.

The Chittering Valley, located only one hour north east of Perth, has evolved from a charming rural setting into a total escape, rich in food, wine, scenery and art.

One of the best ways to experience the valley is by following the 76km Chittering Valley Wine Trip, which travels by seven stunning wineries and by a number of vibrant and unusual displays of public art.

Be sure to visit the Golden Grove Observatory which salutes on a clear night the brilliant blanket of stars of the Southern Sky. Here you can mingle with delightful Australian fauna like koalas, kangaroos and emus and enjoy picnics and barbecues.

The Avon - Chittering Valley area has all that the short term visitor to West Australia could wish to see all within one hundred kilometers as the crow flies from Perth.

Toodyay

The village of Toodyay, just 85 kilometres north east of Perth in the heart of the Avon Valley, is an historic village surrounded by country gardens, lavender, olive groves, historic wine cellars and colonial era tearooms. Here you can journey back in time with museums and historic buildings including Connors Mill, which is both a working mill and the Tourist Information Centre, the 1870's Coorinja Winery, and the Old Newcastle Gaol Museum.

Many of Toodyay’s buildings date back to the convict era of the 19th century, echoing the life of the once "wildest town in the west" and the adventures of that intrepid bushranger Moondyne Joe. His story is told at the Old Newcastle Gaol Museum.

The Wild Eco Boshack Farm with its Lake Campout and a tour depicting the early pioneers and heritage gives the visitor a chance to see how things were in the outback. There you can also enjoy a real Aussie BBQ with Aboriginal dreamtime stories and Billy Tea and Damper. Outdoor enthusiasts are also catered for with activities ranging from fishing to archery, canoeing on lake Serene, picturesque walks and wildlife.

Toodyay makes also for a perfect day trip from Perth, and there are plenty of cafés, restaurants, picnic and BBQ areas.

Northam

The town of Northam has two historical museums, including Morby Cottage and the Old Railway Station. Northam is also popular during the Avon Descent Race in August, when power boats and canoeists join the race.

York

York is another charming and picturesque town on the banks of the Avon River. York boasts a number of old buildings and offers beautiful scenery and farmlands, and plenty of activities and attractions.

The York Town Hall, built in 1911, houses the local tourist Bureau. A number of 19^th century churches and the Old Gaol and Court House highlight the history of this early settlers town.

One of the main attractions is the York Motor Museum with over 200 vintage and classic cars, motorcycles and horsedrawn carts.

About the author:

Deryck from Boshack fell in love with the Australian Outback twenty years ago and soon realised the bush and nature in general offered something special for the mind.

This article is copyright of Deryck.

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