zaterdag 30 juni 2012

York: The oldest settlement inland Western Australia 1830

After 2 weeks fighting a cold catched on the return flight from Amsterdam we finally had some energy for an excursion 100km east into the forest and the Wheat Belt. Clear blue sky and 19 degrees, a ride on the Great Eastern and Southern Highway.

Our aim was York, the oldest setllement inland Western Australia. Farming history in Western Australia started here. The Noongar people, the Aborigines tribe there, met the white settlers in 1830 for the first time after thousends of years being the only inhabitants.

York has about 2000 inhabitants and the shops close at 12.30h on Saturdays. A few Cafes along the main road were open, one was a family owned Lebanese lunch room. The main road is flanked by several historical buildings, almost all of them for sale. It seems like a town struggling to survive, at least the shops, because the farmers and wineries are doing well.
York Townhall:

Images from main roads:

Swing bridge, first edition 1853:

The Avon River runs through York