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Writer's pictureOut and About

Bindoon and the Chittering Valley - A Day in the Country

Updated: May 20, 2023



Bindoon is just over an hour's drive from Perth CBD and is a popular day trip destination even if you just go for the famous pies and pastries at Bindoon Bakehaus! Prince Harry visited the Bindoon Bakehaus & Cafe in 2015. He royally approved the Banoffee Eclair during his visit and I must agree with him it is delicious! There are also other tea shops and produce stores worth a visit.



The name Bindoon is thought to be Aboriginal in origin and to mean “place where the yams grow” The name has been in use in the area since 1843 when an early settler, William Brockman, named the property he had surveyed as Bindoon. The townsite was gazetted in 1953.


Bindoon Tale Trail

On our way to New Norcia a few years ago we had stopped in Bindoon (yes at the Bakehaus!) and had a little wander through town discovering signs for this trail on the way. We finally made it back and noticed the signs have all been upgraded giving this lovely little trail a bit of a lift. The trail is a 1.8km loop and will take about 45 minutes. The trail is along footpaths but the Great Northern Highway runs through town and you will have to cross this busy truck route a couple of times.


The trail starts at Clune Park (see below) where there is parking, toilets and picnic facilities but it is also a very short walk from here to the Bindoon Bakehaus! The trail crosses over the highway here

and then follows the eastern side of the highway. Not all the buildings are still in existence but the interpretive signs share community heritage stories so it makes interesting reading.



Even if you don't manage to walk the Tale Trail make sure you stop off at the Chittering Visitor Centre to look at the artworks and pick up some more information. There are also toilets here.



The trail crosses the highway once again near the General Store which is also where you can buy citrus fruit in season from roadside stalls. You can choose to continue back to Clune Park along the western edge of the highway or detour at Edmonds Place to join the Lake Needonga Walk which follows the edge of the lake back to Clune Park. Even when water levels were high we couldn't see the water through the paperbarks so found this walk pleasant but not very interesting. My preference would be to continue along the highway where you will pass the creative recycled artworks outside the Shire offices (see below) and another interesting mural.



Clune Park

Clune Park has an older playground but it is well shaded. There is also a small skate park, some open space, a heritage rotunda, picnic and barbecue facilities and toilets. The park is fenced along the road and the river but not at the car park.



Shire of Chittering Offices

This is not on the Bindoon Tale Trail however when we were at the Bindoon Town Hall the colourful artworks outside the Shire offices caught our eye so we crossed over the highway - there are plenty of breaks in traffic - to have a closer look and were delighted with what we found! 98% Recycled!



Bindoon Museum and Brockman Centre

Located south of town the museum has an amazing collection of vintage vehicles, tools, historic household items and old farm machinery. Even if the museum itself is closed you can have a wander around the heritage buildings.



Holy Trinity Church

Located a short distance south of Bindoon it is worth a quick stop here.



Lake Needonga and Spoonbill Lake

The Lake Needonga Walk was a nice wide flat trail, 620m each way. We didn't find it particularly interesting but perhaps it wasn't at it's best in November. Spoonbill Lake is a little way out of town and is 1.6km return trail - on our list for another visit.



Carty Reserve

This reserve is also a little way out of town and has a 1.5km return trail. Another one to do next visit - perhaps in Spring.


Chittering Sculpture Trail

Now it is an easy drive from Perth along Tonkin Highway and then Great Northern Highway into Bindoon but you are missing some of the best countryside! From Bullsbrook follow Chittering Road through the Brockman Valley and enjoy the beautiful rural landscapes. Along the way you can stop at several sculptures on the sculpture trail.


  • The Bull - Chittering Road, Lower Chittering

  • The Birds - can be glimpsed from the road at Christos Winery (not accessible, private land)

  • Lower Chittering Bell - UNDER CONSTRUCTION thanks to the Chittering Scout Group

  • The Travelling Monk - cnr Julimar and Chittering Roads, Lower Chittering

  • The Grass Tree - Djidi-Djidi Ridge (opposite 3232), Chittering Road, Lower Chittering

  • Wheels of Time - Brockman Centre, Cnr Great Northern Highway and Tea Tree Road, Bindoon

  • Joie de Vivre - Visitor Centre, 6180 Great Northern Highway, Bindoon

  • Trinity Church Mosaic - Visitor Centre, 6180 Great Northern Highway, Bindoon

  • Old Roads Board Mosaic - Administration Centre, 6177 Great Northern Highway, Bindoon



Trails

There are so many different trails in the Chittering Valley including wildflower trails, produce trails and bush trails. Head to the shire of Chittering website for full details: https://www.chittering.wa.gov.au/visit/places-of-interest/trails.aspx


This is one of our favourites and the bush trail is quite short and easily completed in under an hour or you can extend along some of the fire trails. This is a stunning walk in wildflower season.

https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/post/djidi-djidi-ridge-trail


Events

Why not plan your trip to coincide with the Sunday Farmers Markets (4th Sunday of every month), A Taste of Chittering in August, the Chittering Springfest in September or the Agricultural Show in October. Check the Chittering Website for details and dates.


Before you leave town make sure you grab some farm fresh produce from the roadside stalls in season or from the Northern Valleys Locavore Stall.


No need to travel the same route on your way home - why not loop back through Toodyay or through Gingin which also have a lot to offer as day trip destinations. Or head further north to discover the wonders of the monastic town of New Norcia. But maybe you have spent the full day exploring Bindoon and you just want to get home so head back down the highway and come back to explore more another day.


Best time to explore this region is after winter rains and into Spring and Wildflower season.


To download map go to https://www.chittering.au/



To read more blogs go to:

https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/blog-1


or for more day trip ideas:





In the spirit of reconciliation Out and About- Family Nature Connection acknowledges the traditional owners of the Wadjak boodjar (Perth land) and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.


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