Page Text: 1985
Beth and Brian Davis, Grandparents of current Toodyay Fairytale Farm owners founded Enchantmentland in 1985.
They purchased an old service station on the Great Eastern Highway in Glen Forrest and created a wonderland of interesting collections including antique dolls, miniature worlds, fairytale diorama’s (as seen here today), vintage farming memorabilia and much more.
The star attraction of displays was their giant Teddy Bears Picnic and people would come from far and wide to purchase miniatures for the miniature displays they were creating.
Their business also had a classroom to teach ceramics, porcelain doll making and undertake doll repairs. Beth is an extremely talented artist whose porcelain dolls won awards Australia wide.
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and after 10 years of operating from the Glen Forrest location, it was decided to move Enchantmentland to it’s new home.
1995
Beth and Brian’s daughter, Janine Stacey had a new vision for Enchantmentland. And so with her husband Martin, the vision began to take shape. First the site was selected. A large paddock with two old trees growing in the middle of it.
This photograph was taken from the bottom on the goats paddock looking up along the firebreak beside the road.
The vision began coming to life as thousands of rocks were laid to create garden beds and pathways.
Construction started on the cottages and statues.
Shrubs and trees were planted and gardens were established using animal manure from the property.
This photograph was taken from near the castle looking up to Hansel and Gretel’s Gingerbread House.
After months of hard work Enchantmentland really began to take shape. Family and friends helped with the enormous amount of work.
The pathways were spread by hand using wheelbarrows and shovels.
This photograph was taken from between the pond and the shed looking down at Jack and Jill’s hill.
The village around Gulliver was built by creating “flat pack” concrete walls and roof panels then joining them together to create hollow buildings.
Gullivers body was traced around the outline of Janine’s teenage son.
You can see in the background of this photo the long spring paddock grass. Janine’s youngest daughter Steph (pictured) was only about 3 years old when work began.
Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is a favourite of many. It and every other sculpture here was built using recycled materials held together with chicken wire and/or hessian to form the shape required. Janine would then mix the concrete by hand using just a wheelbarrow and shovel. Imagine how many wheelbarrow loads it would have taken just for a building as large as the castle, let alone the rest of the park!
Behind the castle you can see the original paddock used for Baa Baa Black Sheep. The new layout includes games and activities in this area now which allows larger groups to enjoy the park at once.
What was achieved in the two years of developing Enchantmentland was incredible.
Janine and Martin with youngest daughter Stephanie at the Enchanted tree in the fairy garden. This would have been just before the park opened to the public in 1997.
Enchantmentland was a popular destination for locals and tourists until the decision was made to close in 2002.
The decision was not made lightly but due to changes in insurance requirements the business was no longer viable.
Pictured here are Janine and Martin’s three daughters, Amanda, Cassandra (holding a lamb) and Stephanie.
Fast forward 16 years and one of these daughters decides Enchantmentland can no longer waste away….
2018
Janine and Martin’s Daughter, Cassandra has been living here with her Husband John and children Hayley, Caitlin, Amy, Jasmine and Ryan for 12 years when they begin planning the reopening of Enchantmentland with the new name Toodyay Fairytale Farm .
Pictured above shows the condition of the pathways and Snow White’s display, looking towards the shed.
After it’s closure in 2002, the statues sat untouched for 16 years. Essential maintenance was performed when needed and livestock were used to keep weeds down. Apart from that it sat neglected which means there was a lot of work to be done.
Most concrete statues and structures were in surprisingly good condition and only needed a coat of paint
2020
After many, many hours of blood, sweat and tears Toodyay Fairytale Farm began to take shape. Cassandra and John had some new ideas for the direction the business would go in, mainly increasing the outdoor activities on offer and more of a focus on animals but with an overall update as well.
The opening of Toodyay Fairytale Farm on February 29th 2020 is just the beginning of the next stage in this historic businesses journey. We have many more exciting additions planned so watch this space!
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