Things to do in York WA: The Oldest Inland Town in Our Wildflower State

York, Western Australia's oldest inland town, is a place where time seems to stand still. Just over an hour's drive east of Perth in the WA Wheatbelt, York is renowned for its rich heritage with a touch of whimsy, making it a fascinating destination for a day-trip from Perth.

You’ll find some of WA’s oldest colonial buildings here, as well as jaw-droppingly vivid yellow canola fields, stunning natural beauty and maybe even a ghost or two… 

Here are the best things to do in York WA; pull out your Google Maps and start starring these on the map!

Wander down Avon Terrace 

York’s main street, Avon Terrace, is the heart of the town. Lined with historic colonial buildings, this charming street invites you to step back in time and be immersed in the stories of a bygone era. Stop by quaint boutiques and trinket shops, sip a coffee in the charming artisanal cafes and peruse local galleries, each with their own unique charm. Sergeants Pharmacy, the St Patrick’s Parish Catholic Church and York Courthouse and Gaol are some of the oldest and most fascinating.

Step into the Town Hall

The York Town Hall is more than a beautiful, historical building, it’s the gateway to getting the most out of your visit to York. The York Visitors Centre is located to the left as you enter, and they can help you out with everything you need to know about all the things to do in York, to ensure you don’t miss any of the local hotspots or must-do experiences. 

Visit the York canola fields 

Just a short drive from the town centre, the expansive canola fields paint the landscape in a sea of brilliant yellow, creating a breathtaking view that stretches as far as the eye can see. The canola fields are one of York’s most famous attractions, and make for some incredible photos. Just be aware that all of York’s canola fields are private property (so you can’t touch or walk through the fields) except for the PetTeet Park in Gilgering, which features a crop especially for tourists!  

Explore York’s spooky backstory 

You can’t have some of the oldest buildings in WA without a ghost or two lingering in the walls, right? The Old York Hospital is said to be one of the most haunted buildings in WA, crawling with reports of paranormal occurrences. Other eerie buildings include The Castle Hotel on Avon Terrace, Settlers Hotel, the Court House Museum, Faversham House and the York Town Hall. You can do a self-guided ‘ghost drive’ which begins at the York Town Hall, but prepare to be freaked out. 

Watch the sunset from Mount Brown Lookout

The Mount Brown Lookout (also known as Wongborel) offers visitors a beautiful panoramic 360-degree vista of York and its surrounds, and happens to be the perfect spot to catch a stunning Wheatbelt sunset. Pack a picnic or fire up the barbecue and soak in the serenity and views. You can get there by foot, or a short car trip via Panoramic Drive. 

Hit the Avon Walk Trail

Nature enthusiasts will adore the Avon Walk Trail, a picturesque route that follows the Avon River, with plenty of bird and wildlife spotting opportunities. The walk begins at the historic swinging suspension bridge and features incredible views towards Mount Bakewell.

Grab lunch at the Imperial Homestead

Built in 1886 to service travellers during the Gold Rush, The Imperial Homestead stands as a historic icon of a bygone era. Settle into the cosy dining area or opt for a table on the shaded veranda, where you can bask in the gentle sunlight and soak in the atmosphere of this quaint country town. You’ll find pub classics and modern Australian dishes on the menu and plenty of historic memorabilia and treasured heritage pieces to explore. 

83 Avon Terrace York

Botanicalia & Gallery 152

For Australiana and artisan made gifts sourced from around Australia, or simply to enjoy great coffee in a relaxed environment, you need to add a visit to Botanicalia to your list of things to do in York. Not only that, attached to this charming shop meets cafe is Gallery 152. This contemporary art gallery exhibits artists from around Australia - and even plays host to workshop programs. See their website for details.

152 Avon Terrace, York

Stay at Jam Tree Hill

You'll find solace and sanctuary at Jam Tree Hill, a sustainably built and completely off the grid property located on the western outskirts of York, WA. Right in the heart of farming land, it encompasses 100 acres of open paddocks, bushland, creek lanes - and offers vast views of the stunning Avon Valley region. 

Jam Tree Hill can accommodate up to 4 people who want to escape to the wheatbelt and switch off from their lives and focus on enjoying the beautiful landscape. One of the best things to do in York. 

346 Mokine Road, Daliak 

York Olive Oil Co. 

For a taste of the Mediterranean in York, you need to make a pit-stop at York Olive Oil Co. That's right, you can visit their factory shop on Ashworth Road, just off the Great Southern Highway.

You will be welcomed by Arnaud, Jenny or Matt who will answer all your questions regarding olives, olive oil and its numerous uses.

In addition to their own products, York Olive Oil Co. also stock a selection of pickled olives, gourmet foods from France, honeys, olive oil based cosmetics and soaps. They even serve up a scoop of some seriously delicious ice cream on-site - what's not to love? 

Made in small batches, current varieties of The York Ice Cream Company's offerings include Jarrah Honey, Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Chocolate Hazelnut, Lemon Sorbet, Liquorice, Macadamia, Mango (made with this season’s tree-ripened Kensington Pride mangoes from Carnarvon), Nougat, Raspberry Sorbet, Rum and Raisins, Espresso, Pistachio, Strawberry and Vanilla. 

Available in 150ml cups, picking up a selection to go is one of the most delicious things to do in York. 

254 Ashworth Road, York

GreenHills Inn

Part of Australian history since 1906, Green Hills Inn is a pub experience not to be missed on your visit to York. Sitting pretty just 15 minutes out of York in neighbouring Greenshills-Condah, this superb double storey Federation style building is fondly know as the pub in the paddock.

It has had a very interesting history of boom and bust. Built in 1906 by one of the first female publicans in Western Australia, Mary Ann McMullen, on her deathbed in 1923, she bequeathed the fine two story hotel to her father, Alfred Dinsdale who was the Mayor of York at the time...and the history of the hotel has grown from there.

Rhonda and Murray are the current owners, and offer a warm welcome to those stopping in for a cold beer or a hearty meal. 

Come by and get a feel for the history - this is one of the best things to do in York. 

444 Greenhills Road, Greenshills

With our things to do in York WA guide done and dusted, it's time to start venturing further afield. If you love exploring unique locations across this vast state, you'll also enjoying our travel guides to Broome and the Margaret River Region.