Lyla Lindsey
York, Western Australia, is a town steeped in history and is considered the oldest inland town in Western Australia. It is known for its pristine beaches, fishing, water sports, and old-world architecture. With a population of just 2500 people, York boasts impressive attractions, including historic buildings, hotels, and Australia's oldest racecourse. The town is also home to a unique collection of cars and motorbikes, ranging from vintage to modern. Albany, another town in Western Australia, holds the distinction of being the oldest colonial settlement in the region.
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What You'll Learn
York is WA's oldest inland town
York, Western Australia's oldest inland town, is a 97km trip east of Perth. The town was established in 1831 when Revett Henry Bland settled in the area. Together with his business partner, Arthur Trimmer, Bland built the first house in York by the end of September 1831. In 1833, a garrison of eight troops of the 21st North British Fusiliers was stationed at York.
York is renowned for its rich heritage, colonial architecture, and outstanding natural beauty. The town features quirky shopfronts, arched doorframes, elegant facades, ornate mouldings, and grand hotels of a bygone era. The town is also known for its pristine, squeaky white beaches, fishing, and water sports.
York offers a range of attractions, including the York Motor Museum, the Courthouse complex, art galleries, bookstores, and historic churches. The town is also popular for walking, cycling, and photography. Outside the town lies Australia's oldest racecourse and the wildflower garden behind Faversham House.
The town has a fascinating history, with many believing that it is haunted. Paranormal occurrences have been reported in several locations, including old homesteads, cemeteries, and the abandoned Wheatbelt town of Balkuling. The Old York Hospital, now a private residence, is also known for its terrifying experiences, including slamming doors and groaning noises.
York has played an important role in the state's history, with the York Agricultural Society and the York Racing Club established in the 1840s and continuing to the present day. The town was also influenced by the sandalwood boom in the late 1840s and the gold rush in the 1880s, which brought miners to the area. York's historic buildings, such as the Western Australian Bank building (1889) and the Empire Roller Flour Mill (1892), stand as testaments to its heyday.
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York's historic buildings
York, situated on the Avon River, is the oldest inland town in Western Australia. The area was first settled by Europeans in 1831, two years after Perth. A town was established in 1835, and the first buildings were erected in 1836. York has buildings from each decade from the early settlers (1830s and 1840s), the convict period (1850s and 1860s), the coming of rail (1885), the Gold Rush (1887 to 1900), and the Federation boom, culminating in the York Town Hall (1911).
Faversham House, overlooking the north end of Avon Terrace, is one of the grandest surviving Colonial homes in the State. More than 200 buildings or sites in York are heritage-listed, most within the town itself. Many of York's older homes and buildings have now been restored, and some have retained their original use.
The main street, Avon Terrace, remains almost exactly as it was in 1911 when the Town Hall was constructed. Avon Terrace has Victorian or Federation Free Classical buildings, including the Co-op (IGA) (1888 facade), the York Motor Museum, and Dinsdale's Shoe Emporium (1887), with a cluster of Federation Romanesque buildings at the north end, including the former Fire Station (1897).
The Western Australian Bank building, designed by JJ Talbot Hobbs, is in the Victorian Academic Classical style and has always been a bank building. It was home to the York branch of Western Australian Bank (now Bankwest), followed by Bank of New South Wales, and Challenge banks. Currently, the building is being used as Westpac Bank.
The York Castle Hotel, located on the corner of South Street and Avon Terrace, is the oldest inland hotel in Western Australia, established in 1853 and managed by the Craig family until 1990. The hotel is still in business and offers accommodations, shops, a bistro, bars, and a swimming pool.
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$14.64 $26.04
Albany, WA's oldest colonial settlement
Albany, located at the southern tip of Western Australia, is the state's oldest colonial settlement. Before European settlement, the area was inhabited by the Menang Noongar people, who called the place Kinjarling, meaning "the place of rain". The British explorer George Vancouver annexed the area in 1791, and it was later settled by Europeans in 1826. The settlement was initially named Frederick's Town or Frederickstown, after King George III's brother and son, respectively, but it was renamed Albany by 1831.
The first European settlement in Albany was established as a military outpost by Major Edmund Lockyer, who arrived with British troops and convicts. The site was chosen due to the sighting of several French ships off the southwestern coast of Australia, and Lockyer's expedition faced strong winds and currents en route from Sydney. The Old Farm in Strawberry Hill, a suburb of Albany, was established as a government farm in 1827.
Albany's first town jetty was built around 1837, and a new jetty was constructed between 1862 and 1864. In 1852, the town became the mail port for Western Australia, and a mail coach service to Perth was established. The Albany Convict Gaol was also set up in 1852 for British convicts transported to the region as skilled labourers. By the 1850s, the Port of Albany was a bustling hub, with whaling stations established in the area.
The town continued to grow and develop, with the construction of the Great Southern rail line from Beverley to Albany beginning in 1888, the same year the Town Hall was built. In 1893, the fort at Albany, now known as the Princess Royal Fortress, was opened as a defence measure against perceived foreign threats. Albany played a significant role during World War I as the last sight of Australian land for ANZAC soldiers departing to fight for the Allies.
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Beverley, one of WA's oldest settlements
Nestled on the banks of the Avon River in the picturesque Avon Valley, Beverley is one of Western Australia's oldest settlements, steeped in rich rural heritage. Just a two-hour drive east of Perth, you'll be transported through charming farmland, lush paddocks, and serene forests.
The town is believed to be named after Beverley in Yorkshire, from where some of the earliest explorers of the Avon valley originated, including Colonial Surgeon Charles Simmons, an early landowner in the district. Land at Beverley was set aside for a town site in 1831, just two years after the Swan River Colony's foundation. While settlers arrived from the 1860s onwards, and a town was established in 1868, it wasn't until the arrival of the Great Southern railway line with a railway station in 1886 that the town started to grow.
Beverley boasts a delightful array of heritage architectural styles that tell the story of this historic town. The Western Australian Bank building, for example, has remained largely unchanged since 1889 and has always been a bank building. The town also has a fascinating aeronautical history, which can be explored at the Cornerstone Building.
For nature lovers, County Peak and the surrounding reserves offer bush walks and the chance to discover wildflowers and flowering canola crops in spring. Beverley is also a stargazer's haven, with Yenyening Lakes offering exceptional astrophotography prospects just 35 minutes from town.
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York's oldest hotel
The honour of being the oldest town in Western Australia goes to York, a charming and historic place nestled in the Avon Valley, just a couple of hours' drive east of Perth. With its picturesque streetscapes and abundance of heritage-listed buildings, it's no surprise that this town boasts some of the state's most enduring and iconic establishments, including York's Oldest Hotel.
Nestled on Avon Terrace, the main street of York, stands a hotel that has become synonymous with the town's rich history—the Palace Hotel. This iconic pub, affectionately known by locals and visitors alike, holds the distinction of being York's oldest continuously operating hotel, serving patrons since 1856. The Palace Hotel has played a pivotal role in the town's social and economic fabric, providing accommodation, refreshments, and a much-needed meeting place for travellers, locals, and prospectors during its long and colourful history.
A Journey Through Time
The story of the Palace Hotel reflects the evolution of York itself. In its early days, the hotel catered to a bustling mix of travellers, farmers, and miners passing through the region. The gold rush era of the 1890s brought particular prosperity, with the hotel thriving as a hub for prospectors seeking their fortune in the nearby goldfields. Over the years, the hotel has witnessed the town's highs and lows, surviving economic booms and busts, two world wars, and the changing social landscape of Western Australia. Through it all, the Palace Hotel has remained a steadfast presence, a testament to the resilience and enduring appeal of York.
Historic Charm and Modern Comforts
Stepping into the Palace Hotel is like taking a step back in time. The hotel proudly showcases its rich history through carefully preserved interiors and a stunning collection of historical photographs and artefacts. The building's architecture is a beautiful blend of colonial and federation styles, featuring wide verandahs, high ceilings, and intricate iron lacework. Inside, guests are treated to a warm and inviting atmosphere, with polished wooden bar tops, cosy fireplaces, and comfortable accommodation that seamlessly blends historic charm with modern conveniences. The hotel's restaurant and bar continue to be popular gathering places for locals and visitors, offering a delightful mix of classic pub fare and contemporary dishes, alongside a well-stocked selection of beverages.
A Beacon of Hospitality
A Living Legacy
The Palace Hotel stands as a living legacy of York's pioneering past and a beloved landmark for generations of Western Australians. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the hotel's ability to adapt and evolve while retaining its intrinsic character and charm. As York continues to flourish and attract visitors seeking a glimpse into Western Australia's early history, the Palace Hotel will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of the town's tourism and hospitality offering, inviting guests to raise a glass and celebrate its rich and colourful story.
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Frequently asked questions
York is the oldest inland historic town in Western Australia.
York is known for its pristine, white beaches, fishing, and water sports. The town also has quirky shopfronts, arched doorframes, ornate mouldings, and grand hotels of a bygone era.
The town has several heritage buildings, including the Western Australian Bank building, the Masonic Hall, the Town Hall, the Castle Hotel, and the York Motor Museum.
York was officially named after Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, who was the heir presumptive to King George IV until his death in 1827. The town has a rich history, with many buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
York is located about 97km east of Perth. You can join day tours from Perth or take a bus or train to Joaquina Street in York Town.
