QUINDANNING PICNIC RACES
EASTER SATURDAY, 3 APRIL 2021
After missing Easter travel last year due to COVID, it seems that everyone hit the road to 'wander out yonder' for Easter 2021. We headed to the annual Quindanning Picnic Races which have been held on Easter Saturday since 1979.
Boddington is located in Marradong Country. Just 90 minutes south-east of Perth, Marradong is the Noongar name for the district of Williams, Wandering and Boddington and is home to WA's elusive state emblem, the numbat.
Boddington itself is a picturesque town located on the Hotham River and sports not only the best children's playground (including a skate park, bike park and flying foxes) I've ever seen, but also quirky public artworks, walking trails and cafes. Boddington is also home to the annual Lion's Rodeo and Community Festival in November.
We stayed at the Boddington Retreat just off the main road and in walking distance to the park and river. A quaint 2 bedroom shack that sleeps 6, the house was well appointed with a coffee machine and air conditioning. If you don't feel like cooking, then the Black Sheep Cafe is just around the corner and serves up a big breakfast, fish & chips, salads and really good milkshakes.
Quindanning is a small town located on the Pinjarra-Williams Road just 26km south-west of Boddington and the drive between the two towns is one of the most picturesque in the area. You know you've made it to Quindanning when you reach the Ye Olde Quindanning Inne located just past the pioneer cemetery and St Alban's historic church.
The original hotel was established in 1901, however since then it has been renovated and added to. In 1908 it was reported in the Great Southern Leader that "rapid progress is being made with the building of the new hotel, which is being erected in front of the present one. It is to contain fourteen rooms, all fitted up with the latest and most modern improvements". The third hotel was built in 1925 and over the years septic systems, electric lights and additional bedrooms and bathrooms have been added. Many community meetings have been held at the hotel as Quindanning is one of the oldest settled districts in West Australia.
The Quindanning races have featured in newspapers for over 100 years, however in 1978 it was decided to resurrect the Quindanning Picnic Race Club which had disbanded in 1941. Since then the annual event has been held every Easter Saturday. This year was a bumper year for attendees with all funds raised going to local charities such as the Quindanning Bush Fire Brigade, the Boddington St John Ambulance and the Quindanning Hall. We had a great "day in the dust" watching contestants of all ages and breed (ie: human, dog, horse, donkey) partake in the full day of festivities.
Camping is available at the race track and tickets can be purchased online at https://www.quindanningraces.com.au/. Be sure to put it in the diary for next year!