At the turn of the last century, a group of Toodyay pioneers known as the “Railway Extension League” were lobbying to have the Clackline line extended from Newcastle (Toodyay) to Bolgart.
This they said would be a boon for the district as the Toodyay Valley had proved itself a rich agricultural area and land was being subdivided into an increasing number of farms. There was even a gold discovery near Wyening just north of Bolgart.
Finally, after nearly ten years of campaigning the then Governor, Admiral Sir Frederick Bedford turned the first sod at Newcastle in November 1908, and so commenced construction. Only a year later the line reached Bolgart with the official opening taking place in that town on the 6th of December with celebrations and official events aplenty.
In 1966, with the opening of the standard gauge the Clackline – Toodyay section was decommissioned. The Bolgart line (now extended to Miling) was realigned to the junction with the standard gauge at West Toodyay.
Today you can still trace the original route across the Show Grounds and along Toodyay Street. The new footpath has been marked with lengths of railway line embedded in the concrete to denote the point it crossed there. The old formation is particularly obvious where it runs parallel to Toodyay Street to the railway bridge.
Here, the railway reserve contains the original cutting which is still largely intact. It was almost impossible to walk along this cutting as it was heavily overgrown. In 2022 state government funding allowed the Shire to clear the old line to form an effective and strategic fire break and access. Thus, a great opportunity arose for a walking trail.
Toodyay’s walk track aficionados, the Friends of the River, began working with the Shire Reserve Management Officer to create the “West Toodyay Wander”. Steps were installed where required and track markers affixed.
An attractive information sign and shelter is located near Reserve Street. At the same time, the Shire fortuitously extended the concrete footpath all the way to Harcourt Street.
Now, a pleasant 3.6 km walk circuit takes in the Show Grounds and Aboriginal burial site, the old railway cutting and Bolgart line bridge along with north bank river access points. This walking track adds value and variety to Toodyay’s already impressive walking trail network and opportunities.
The completion of the “West Toodyay Wander” is one of several Toodyay Friends of the River 30th Anniversary projects.
You can view and download the map here.
West Toodyay Wanderers
