Toodyay Transforms into 1860s Scene to Honour Bushranger Legend Moondyne Joe
Every year on the first Sunday in May, the quiet town of Toodyay in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt comes alive with 1860s flair, celebrating one of the state’s most colourful historical figures—Moondyne Joe, an infamous bushranger and escape artist.
The Moondyne Festival, now drawing over 12,000 visitors annually, commemorates the legacy of Joseph Bolitho Johns—better known as Moondyne Joe. Sent from England to Western Australia in 1853 after being convicted of food theft, Joe was transported as part of the Swan River Colony. After working on public infrastructure, he earned a conditional pardon for good behaviour and settled in the Toodyay area, then known as Newcastle, where he worked as a stockman.
Joe’s reputation as an escape artist began in the 1860s after he was imprisoned for branding a wild horse. His first breakout involved stealing the magistrate’s horse, but he was soon recaptured and sentenced to Fremantle Prison. Over the following months, he managed to escape three times after being sentenced to 10 years for killing an ox.
One of his most legendary escapes came after being locked in what was believed to be an inescapable cell. The prison governor famously promised forgiveness if Joe ever escaped again. Taking advantage of a work assignment in the yard, Joe managed to chip through a wall and vanish for two years. When eventually caught, the governor rescinded his promise, claiming Joe had escaped from the yard—not the cell.
Joe later completed his sentence and lived across Western Australia until his death in 1900 at age 71. Newspapers of the time began calling him Moondyne Joe, a name inspired by the Aboriginal word for the region he frequently returned to during his escapades.
In 1984, Toodyay launched the Moondyne Festival to boost local tourism by celebrating Joe’s story. From humble beginnings with 600 visitors, the event has grown into a major community-driven celebration. Locals rent historical costumes ahead of the event to enhance the immersive feel of the festivities.
The festival features lively parades with characters like “coppers” and orphans, and includes dramatic re-enactments of Joe’s trials, escapes, and arrests. The whole town joins in, creating a rich atmosphere that captures the spirit of colonial-era Western Australia.
Moondyne Festival committee chair Neville Hoypoy said the event has built a loyal following across the state.
“What makes this festival special is how committed the community is to dressing up and participating,” Mr Hoypoy said. “It brings thousands of people to Toodyay, supporting local businesses and putting the Avon Valley on the map.”
Through the shared effort of residents and organisers, Moondyne Joe’s legacy continues to bring history to life and fuel local pride in Toodyay.
