Cathedral Avenue Scenic Drive

Cathedral Avenue is a 3.4 km scenic drive along the serene Leschenault Estuary, travelling from Buffalo Road in Leschenault to Old Coast Road, Australind.

Along the way, there are numerous locations to stop for a picnic or scenic view of the Estuary.

History

Cathedral Avenue forms part of the original Old Coast Road coach route from Mandurah to Bunbury. Leading Colonial Settler, Thomas Peel of Mandurah and Australind’s Chief Commissioner Marshall Waller Clifton used this track to visit each other in the early to mid-1800s.

In the early days of the colony, there was a shortage of water for horses and travellers on this road, but following the arrival of convict labour in the 1850s, gangs of workers improved the road and sank wells approximately every 10 miles. They also cut the avenue through the paperbarks.

By the 1870s to 1890s, mail coaches travelling from Perth to Bunbury followed a track to Pinjarra, crossing over to the Coast Road before heading south to Bunbury. It was also used by Afghan and Indian hawkers.

Initially named the Great Southern Road, before it became known as the Old Coast Road. It was later named Cathedral Avenue after the formation of the paperbark trees, which created a cathedral-like appearance.

Although the road has been altered in parts, its famous paperbark trees can still be admired. (Note: the road now slightly bypasses the paperbarks to allow for their protection and a walk and bike path).

Length

3.4 kilometres bitumen road.