Month: October 2023

Foxes Lair and Narrogin

Foxes Lair is a bushland reserve, on the edge of Narrogin town in the Wheatbelt area. It is well known to wildflower enthusiasts and lovers of bird and wildlife. We visited it as part of our trip to Dryandra Woodland, searching for wildflowers, late September. It was a wonderful addition to our camping trip, as we took our time to take it slow and enjoy the outdoors.

Valley Loop Trail

What to do in Foxes Lair

Foxes Lair is a great place to enjoy nature, go hiking, cycling or picnicing. There are 5 walking trails within the reserve, all quite easy. In addition, there is also a cycle trail and 3 picnic grounds within the reserve. Facilities include shelter and picnic tables but no toilets (you can find public toilets a short drive away in Narrogin).

Boy sitting on a stone with a fox picture

Marri picnic ground

Wildflowers at Foxes Lair

These are the flowers spotted late September along Valley Loop trail.

Yellow orchid with red stripes

Cowslip Orchid Caladenia Flava (above left), Holly-leaved Mirbelia Mirbelia dilatata (above middle), Glischrocaryon aureum Common Popflower (above right).

Blue fan flower
White everlasting

Lechenaultia biloba (above left), Podolepis gracilis Slender Podolepis (above middle), Rhodanthe citrina (above right).

White stalk flowers
pink trigger plant

Stackhousia monogyna Creamy candles (above left), Stylidium ecorne Foot Triggerplant (above middle), Stark White Spider Orchid Caladenia longicauda eminens (above right).

White Banjine Pimelea ciliata (above left), Stypandra glauca Blind Grass (above middle), Stylidium caricifolium (above right).

Narrogin

While you visit Foxes Lair nature reserve, it is worthwhile to drop at nearby Narrogin visitor centre. We were pleasantly surprised with this nice little information centre, run by friendly volunteers. The centre is well stocked with lots of information on the surrounding parks, reserves and other attractions.


Furthermore, Dryandra Country Visitor Centre in Narrogin has an interesting interactive display – diorama of Narrogin back in 1960s. Apparently, it is still work in progress, so next time you visit it, there might be a bigger and more detailed display on offer.

Diorama of Narrogin

Apart from the visitor centre, Narrogin is quite a nice town by itself. It is relatively large, which means you can easily stock up on food and fuel. Also, there are also a number of pretty and interesting parks within the town.

Memorial park in Narrogin

So, next time you are passing by, we recommend you stop by at Narrogin! And, of course, Foxes Lair is a must if you are searching for wildflowers.

Dryandra Woodland

Dryandra Woodland, being only 164km from Perth, is a perfect place for a short getaway. First, it is the diversity of flora and fauna that is so amazing. It is a rather large and significant nature conservation area. Second, the park has a number of walking trails with interpretative signs, providing opportunity to enjoy nature and learn about the place and its history. Third, there is an opportunity to see wild native animals in their environment. The best thing? You can camp at Dryandra Woodland, which means you have more time to explore this wonderful place.

Camping in the woodland

Camping at Dryandra Woodland

Camping in the woods is always lovely, especially in colder months when you can have a campfire. There are 2 bush camp grounds within Dryandra Woodland National Park, managed by Parks and Wildlife Service – Congelin campground and Gnaala Mia campground. They are both similar in terms of the facilities provided – large camping spots, spaced well apart, each with a picnic table and fire ring (with wood provided), well maintained long drop toilets, bbq and kitchen shelter. You cannot book a site, but we didn’t find it was an issue to find a spot, although, the campgrounds are quite popular.

Congelin campground

We stayed at Congelin campground in September 2023 and paid $11 per person per night ($3 per child).

Man standing next to fire at bush camp

We were happy for an opportunity to still have fire on the last day of September.

Camp fire

Gnaala Mia campground

Over the long June weekend in 2024 we visited Dryandra Woodland again. This time we stayed at Gnaala Mia campground. It has two loops with 27 bays suitable for caravans and 8 bays for tents. Unlike Congelin campground, the sites at Gnaala Mia do not have grass.

Gnaala Mia campground at Dryandra Woodland, Western Wheatbelt

Dryandra Woodland flora and fauna

Most importantly, it is the feel of the woodland with its smells, sounds and sights that was very appealing for us. The highlights were cowslip and spider orchids among other wildflowers only steps away from the tent – a pure delight for wildflower enthusiasts. This was late September 2023.

Blue Orchid
spider orchid
Yellow orchid

Blue China Orchid Cyanicula gemmata (above left), Common Dragon Orchid Caladenia barbarossa (above middle), Cowslip orchid Caladenia flava subspecies sylvestris (above right).

Banksia squarrosa Pingle (above left), Conostylis setigera Bristly Cottonhead (above middle), Gastrolobium parviflorum (above right).

Patersonia occidentalis Purple Flag (above top left), Purple Tassels Sowerbaea laxiflora (above bottom left and right).

White fringed lily
Yellow flower with raindrops
Yellow ever lasting flower

Many-flowered Fringe Lily Thysanotus multiflorus (above left), Goodenia trinervis (above top right), Rhodanthe citrina (above bottom right).

There is a great variety of trigger plants at Dryandra Woodland:

Pink trigger plant
White trigger plant small petals touching
Pink orange trigger plant
Pink trigger plant small

Above, from left to right: Stylidium ecorne, Stylidium petiolare Horn Triggerplant, Stylidium uniflorum orange, Stylidium uniflorum.

Black Carnaby’s cockatoos and a variety of parrots were among the many birds we spotted. And of course, the main treat was seeing the nocturnal woodland marsupials. We had a couple of different visitors come to our campfire. They were too busy to stop for a good picture or proper species identification 😊.

Barna Mia nocturnal tour

Barna Mia nocturnal tours are very popular and need to be booked in advance. We missed out on the opportunity when we visited Dryandra first time in 2023, so decided to book weeks ahead for the June long weekend the following year (2024). The tour was very informative and educational, great for adults and kids alike. The animals were cooperative and came out to say hello, except for Mala (Rufous Hare Wallaby). We saw Bilby, Woylie and Boodie – all are endangered native animals.

Boodie
Woylie

Boodie (above left), Woylie (above middle), Woylie and Bilby (above right).

Brushtail Possum also joined the party (he is not endangered but was allowed to be there 😊). It would be good to have a better lighting, but you can only use red light with nocturnal animals to protect their well-being.

Brushtail possum
Woylie

Brushtail Possum (above left), Woylie (above right).

Old Mill Dam

Old Mill Dam is a nice picnic area, close to Dryandra Village in Dryandra Woodland. There are 2 easy walks of various lengths, starting from the Dam to enjoy the woodlands with the opportunity to spot wildlife. Facilities include picnic tables, bbs, toilet. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed.

Old Mill Dam, Dryandra Woodland

Additional info

Dryandra Woodland is roughly a 2 hour drive south east from Perth and 22km north west of Narrogin. It is within Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. The entry to Dryandra Woodland Park is free. Unfortunately, no dogs. The cost of both Congelin and Gnaala Mia campgrounds is $15 per person ($5 per child) per night in 2024.

Dryandra Woodland at night

Driving at night through Dryandra Woodland