Download the Pioneers' Pathway Brochure

Follow in the footsteps of the early pioneers who journeyed east into the West Australian Wheatbelt

A historic self drive trail with character and charm

Discover the people who have helped make the Wheatbelt the place it is today.

The Pioneers’ Pathway is the self-drive route that traverses the Wheatbelt following the well worn trail many prospectors once took on their way to the Yilgarn and Kalgoorlie Goldfields.

Learn their stories, of the men from bushrangers to farmers and pastoralists and how the company that is Australia’s largest exporter of grain was started right here in the Wheatbelt.

Hear the accounts of the women who were lawyers, nurses, teachers, wives and mothers who conquered, survived and thrived in the harsh conditions of these towns that remain today.

Toodyay’s most infamous character

Moondyne Joe

Joseph Bolitho Johns aka Moondyne Joe seemed to have been the Artful Dodger of Western Australia. His life resembled a character in a Charles Dickens novel.

Joe seems to have spent the better part of his life captured and then escaping nimbly from various prisons. Legend has it the then Governor found him to be a painful and irritating thorn in his side.

Listen to the character, charm and unique history through the Storytowns audio tour.

Storytowns immersive audio guide offers authentic tales from the heart of each community.

Download the Storytowns app for free from the app store before you take your journey.

Follow the Pathways

Wander past expansive Wheatbelt farmlands on this scenic journey through the small towns of Goomalling, Dowerin, Wyalkatchem, Kununoppin and Nungarin, providing a classic experience of Western Australia’s Wheatbelt heartland.

Plan your trip

Immerse yourself in the rich history and picturesque landscapes showcasing the resilience and charm of Australia's pioneering heritage