Toodyay; Perth Hills

We had looked online for a quiet caravan park with facilities, possibly in bush surroundings.

Toodyay seemed to have good recommendations and only 11/2 hours from home. It was Toodyay Holiday Park and Chalets.

When we arrived it seemed great, plenty of trees, quiet, but the grounds – compacted gravel/ground and no grass! We were concerned that there was a racetrack down the road, thinking of traffic and noise on Raceday, but that didn’t occur. Saw a sign that the next race day was in around 4 months.

However, the managers were fantastic, we loved living amongst the trees, in safety, not by ourselves in the bush. Roastie, one of the managers told us where to park the van, and met us there to assist and direct us into the bay. A quiet block, facing the bush and near the dam. Wide block with sufficient room to park the car in front of the van, and plenty of room to the side, so we could sit in comfort for a quiet drink, and later by the fireside.

Not too close to the amenities block, about a minute’s stroll, across a bridge. Laundry facilities and plenty of outside clothes lines, and clean, spotless shower/toilet block. They even had a large bath towel hanging next to the hand basins, complementary and changed daily, to wipe our wet hands on, to save us bringing our own hand towel.

We laid out our outside mat, to stop the dirt being brought into the caravan, and set up the BBQ, tables and chairs, ready for a couple of days of chilling out. Each site had a car wheel on site so that you could use for a fire pit. Some wood was at the office for purchase, and collected daily.

The Barking Owl or Winking Owl is a nocturnal bird species native to mainland Australia and parts of Papua New Guinea. The presence of these owls is usually revealed by their barking calls.

From the outset, I must confess we are bird lovers, and love to hear them chirping to each other and their awakening in the mornings, don’t care what time, and them settling in for the night.

I did take some bird seed with us. Know I shouldn’t but can’t resist. When a couple of 28s, galahs and magpies arrived I tossed out a few handfuls of seed.

We had our BBQ dinner and lit the fire and settled in for a relaxing evening. During the night we heard a dog barking, all night in fact, and thought it belonged to a neighbouring property. Asking about it the next morning when we were at the office, and they told us it was the barking owl. Funny, but I didn’t like a dog barking all night, but once found out it was an owl, I didn’t mind the noise!

As soon as we woke, and looked out the windows to a bright sunny morning, there were about 8 magpies waiting to be fed – word had gotten out!

After breakfast of bacon and eggs, we were enjoying a cup of coffee, when we could hear a loud scratching noise. Looking around, we saw a 28 trying to get at the foil tray under the Webber, so that he could get any scraps of food, and to enjoy the drippings. Quite a scene, and he wasn’t perturbed that we were so close.

Then there was the walk around the beautifully kept grounds. Visit the pond to see different types of ducks, the peacock and animals near the chalets, and the emus, to feed if we wish.

We had been on day trips from Perth to Toodyay before so knew what the town was like and the surrounding areas, but that didn’t stop us from going “into town” to visit the famous bakery and cafe.

Our delectable pies and pastries purchase, we sat outside and ate at the tables provided, and watched the locals and visitors passing, and indeed, “the world go by.”

After such a strenuous adventure, we decided to return to the van for a siesta and prepare for the birds to arrive. They didn’t disappoint.

Next day, we took our lunch from the bakery and sat by the river to eat and decide where to go next.

There are a few tourist drives to go on, also visited York again. A fabulous area in which to chill out.

The managers were always cleaning the facilities, the grounds and emptying garbage bins and even left bins out for the empties, cans and bottles from the night before. Spotless. Even though you knew they were around somewhere, you never saw them much, they never bothered you, and were always up for a chat and had plenty of ideas for day trips.

Too soon it was time to pack and leave, we said our goodbyes. Yes we’d be back, and always will request for our spot. Each bay had been named, and ours is Kickbush.

If there’s any downside, it’s the lack of a communal area. The spot they use as a laundry/drying area would be ideal.

Highly recommended, and we’ll return. Here’s a sitemap.

Toodyay Holiday Park & Chalets set in 25 acres of natural bushland. This is bush camping at its best, where at different times of the year the wildlife and wildflowers are in abundance.

In the winter you can sit around the camp fire and gaze up at the stars whilst staying on a large powered or unpowered site or stay in our chalets with log fires. We have modern amenities, a tranquil billabong with resident ducks and birds, emus and henry the peacock.

They offer free gas BBQ’s, playground, a small office-based kiosk and public phone and bush walking and golf across the road. The furry member of your family is also welcome (on a leash) and clubs are always welcome.

Toodyay has lots to experience from walking along the Avon River to its award winning bakery, cafes/restaurants and Taverns. Toodyay is a historic town with many historic buildings including the Old Gaol Museum and Connors Mill.

: Great spot to relax!

: Winter fire, a must!

: Bakery’s worth a visit!

Local attractions include the many wineries, craft and gift shops, organic honey, miniature railway, the space place observatory, emu & alpaca farms and golf course.

Yearly festivals include: Avon Descent and International Food Festival, Moondyne Festival, Toodyay Agricultural Show, Toodyay Picnic Races, Targa West Rally and the stunning wildflowers in Toodyay.

Toodyay; Perth Hills

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