Datjoin Rock and Well Reserve, 18km east of Beacon in North East Wheatbelt is a natural attraction, a popular picnic and free camping spot. It is home to some interesting rock formations which are quite picturesque. During the months of spring the reserve is full of beautiful wildflowers. At the time we visited, there were mostly everlastings. Orchids do grow there too, but they finished blooming earlier, and we missed them by a couple of weeks or so (we visited this place end of September). Datjoin Rock is part of Wheatbelt Way self-drive.
Camping is allowed at the Datjoin Rock Reserve, near the well. There are no facilities, so you would need to be self-sufficient and take all rubbish with you. As with most Wheatbelt places, cooler months are the best for camping. During the months of April and September you can have camp fire there.
Location
To get to Datjoin Rock reserve, travel from Beacon for 18km eastward on Burakin/Wialki road. There is a narrow track entrance on the left. This track is suitable for for 2WDs but it is too narrow for caravans. There is another entrance to the actual rock 2km further eastwards on Clark Road, on the left, at the top of the rise. This second area is a narrow 4WD track only. We found the main Datjoin Rock and well reserve to be picturesque enough. So, if you get lost looking for the second entrance to the actual rock, you won’t miss much, as the Rock reserve has everything you need, including camping area.
Mollerin Rock is a free camping and picnic area, 50km north of Koorda in North East Wheatbelt. It’s one of the attractions along Wheatbelt Way self-drive.
Mollerin Rock camp
Facilities are basic and include a long drop toilet with a tap for washing hands, 1 gazebo with a picnic table. There is plenty of space to accommodate various types of vehicles and set ups. The place is easily accessible to 2WD. The campground is at the base of Mollerin Rock, which is quite low in height and easy to walk on and around.
The views are wonderful from the top, especially at sunset. The best thing about Mollerin Rock is campfire at night during cooler months (between April and September) and wildflowers, mostly everlastings, during early spring.
We stayed at Mollerin Rock campground at the end of September. The wildflowers were past their prime time and many finished already but we still enjoyed the campfire and starry nights.
Attractions nearby:
Koorda Rose
Koorda is roughly 50km south of Mollerin Rock.
I planned a trip to Koorda to see the unique to the Wheatbelt region Koorda Rose (Darwinia purpurea). It is a very pretty bright red flowering plant, common in Koorda. It is found in abundance in Koorda Native Flora reserve, 15km north-east of town, on the Mulji Road.
Koorda Native Flora reserve also offers a free picnic and camping ground. The area is relatively big and open and suitable for all kinds of set ups and vehicles. There is a picnic table with shade, campfire ring and toilet. While we didn’t stay there, it looked like a nice camping spot for cooler months.
Koorda Motor and Military Museum
Another place we (our sons, in particular) enjoyed visiting was Koorda Motor and Military Museum. Although it is small and is open by appointment, it does have a few interesting things on display and is worth a visit.
Redcliffe
We love natural attractions and always visit them whenever we have a chance as we travel. Redcliffe was one such attraction. The uniqueness and attractiveness of this place comes from the contrast between the white salt lakes and the red granite outcrops. Redcliffe is located 5km off Koorda, at the end of Rifle Range road.
Moningarin Tank
Roughly half way between Koorda and Mollerin Rock, Moningarin Tank is a picturesque place to visit. Lots of wildflowers are blooming there during the spring.
Baandee Lake is a beautiful salt lake in the Central Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It is 25km east of Kellerberrin on Ski Lake road. This is a popular place for water skiing when there is enough water in the lake. It is also a pleasant free camping area. There are flushing toilets, cold water shower and non-drinking water for washing hands available. In cooler months you can enjoy camp fires in the fire rings provided. We stayed at Baandee Lake in early November. The weather was favourable – not too hot during the day time yet and cooling at night. There was still water in the lake although not enough for water ski activities. With plenty of space for camping along the shore of the lake to choose from, we found a nice spot with gorgeous view which we enjoyed during our 1 night stay there. We were the only ones, although a few cars visited during the day.
Fantastic views and scenery at Baandee Lake
The best thing for us camping at Baandee Lake were the awesome views of the ever changing sky.
So, we witnessed the intensely strong red sunset.
Many satelites (and maybe a comet?) across the sky full of stars but also some clouds.
Aurora passed by leaving a bit of a colour in the sky too. 🙂
Pretty cool sunrise
Some dramatic clouds in the morning just after the sunrise.
and beautiful reflections of the clouds in the lake.
Baandee Lake is in South Doodlakine, Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It is about 3 hour drive east from Perth.
Marshall Rock in Northeastern Wheatbelt is part of the Wheatbelt Way Drive Trail and a popular leisure spot. It is located 280km from Perth and 7km to the nearest town Bencubbin. The rock itself is quite small and easy to climb. You can also drive up to the top (no caravans). From the top you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the surrounding fields, including nearby Lake McDermott.
Marshall Rock campground
Marshall Rock campground is nestled between Marshall Rock and Gardner Hill. There are all the basic facilities there that a traveller would need, which include waterless toilet, non-drinking water, bins, a couple of picnic tables and fire- pits.
The campground is free and easily accessible, suitable for all types of vehicles and set up. And yes, you can bring your fury friend there too. Our neighbour had 12 of them 😊.
Photography and astrophotography at Marshall Rock
Marshall Rock is an easy and short hike, so it became my daily habit during our 3 day stay there. Every time the same rock and surrounding area looked differently. You can always find a new angle to look at the same thing 😊
Marshall Rock is a great place for astrophotography.
Nearby attractions
Lake McDermott
Lake McDermott is a large salt lake, near Marshall Rock. Like many other salt lakes in that area, it is often dry. When it is full, it promises to be spectacular. During our recent visit there, it turned out to be impossible to come closer to it, to take a picture of the beautiful reflections in the water cast by the surrounding bushland. We ended up with boots full of mud which took a while to clean up. The lake, however, has excellent picnic facilities and walks around, and is a nice place to spend time.
Pergandes Sheep Yards
Another attraction nearby is Pergandes Sheep Yards. This is a short trip back in time, to 1910, when Pergandes family was the first to settle in the Mt Marshall district. Today visitors can see remains of an original homestead and sheep yards constructed entirely from nearby rock. Information boards describe life of early settlers and how they contributed to the development of the area. Well worth a visit.
Waddouring Dam
Also part of the Wheatbelt Way drive trail is Waddouring Dam. Built in 1929 to provide water to the nearby town Bencubbin, it is now used for recreation purposes. Waddouring Dam is a great picnic and camping spot.
There are two camping areas there. The camp closer to the water edge has a waterless toilet, non-drinking water and a picnic table. This camping area is small but there is another larger camping area further away from the dam (closer to the entrance). The camping areas are free to use. They also have fire pits. While the water in the dam seems clear enough, swimming is not recommended but you can safely kayak and paddle. We didn’t stay at Waddouring Dam but enjoyed visiting it and talking to those people who camped there.
York and Beverley in Avon subregion within Wheatbelt are charming places to visit by themselves, but if you are looking for wildflowers, they are absolutely amazing. Both Yorkand Beverley visitor centres are very helpful, providing useful information, maps and resources to spot wildflowers, including orchids.
Sun Scented Orchids blooming at Brooking Street Reserve in Beverley
Brooking Street Reserve near Beverley
Brooking Street Reserve in Beverley is a small bushland reserve, walking distance from the main street of the town Beverley. However, it boasts 12 species of native orchids (most of them blooming from July to October). The walking trails are clearly marked, which makes it quite easy to spot the orchids. We feel so lucky to have seen 7 orchid species out of those 12 that grow there, just in one visit.
Pink Fairy Cowslip Hybrid Orchid (above left), Common Donkey Orchid Diuris species (above right).
End of September orchids
Fringed Mantis Orchid was still blooming one month later but none of the other orchids we’ve seen late August. However, we found 2 new different species.
Fringed Mantis Orchid Caladenia falcata (above left), Microtis media Common Mignonette orchid (above right).
Scented sun orchids Thelymitra macrophylla (above left and right).
Drosera
There are not only orchids but a few other interesting wildflowers at Brooking Street Reserve. Pimpernel Sundew (Drosera glanduligera) is a tiny but quite spectacular and amazing carnivorous plant. I nearly missed it, mistaking it for a weed . It was flowering during our both visits to Brooking street reserve.
Wambyn Nature Reserve near York
Wambyn Nature Reserve is located 12km west of York, along Great Southern Highway. It is another great place to visit if you are searching for orchids. The pictures below were taken end of August 2023.
Caladenia longicauda Common White Spider Orchid (above left). This is a large spider orchid. Fringed Mantis Orchid Caladenia falcata (above top right), Sugar Candy Orchid Caladenia hirta (above top right).
Common Donkey Orchid Diuris species (above left), Bridal Rainbow Drosera macrantha (above right).
There are so many more reserves around York and Beverley! We’ll definitely be visiting them over the next few years and adding the updates to this post. Watch this space!
Kwolyin camp, near Bruce Rock in the Wheatbelt region – what a gem! We’ve stayed 3 nights there over the September long weekend and really enjoyed our stay. Facilities are amazing here and include 3 flushing toilets, kitchen with sink and gas stove, bbq, shelter, picnic tables, bins and some fire pits.
The campground is within the nature reserve, so there are plenty of wildflowers in season. At the end of September Waitzia Accuminata were nearly finished but there were still plenty of yellow Glyschrocaryon aureuam and blue Brunonia Australis, as well as blue Goodenia.
There are 3 walk trails of various length around the camp and over the Coarin Rock to enjoy. The best thing about Kwolyin camp is that it is free and you can stay up to 72 hours. Thank you, Shire of Bruce Rock for providing and maintaining so well these amazing facilities for us to enjoy!
Attractions near Kwolyin camp
There are plenty of activities and attractions sites around Kwolyin camp. It all depends how far you are prepared to travel and how much you want to spend in each place.
Kokerbin Rock
Kokerbin Rock is the 3rd largest monolith in Australia. While it is only 122 meters high, it is definitely worth a visit. 2km return hike to the summit is relatively easy. There is also a 2.8km Kokerbin Circuit Trail that circles half of the rock. With these two trails to enjoy, you can easily spend half a day there if you take the time to appreciate all that this place has to offer. Kokerbin Rock is within nature reserve, which means there are wildflowers in season, as well as many birds, butterflies and native animals.
Kokerbin Rock itself is very picturesque with many interesting rock formations, caves and boulders. Some rocks are hollow inside and big enough for you to walk into them, which makes them free standing caves.
The views from the summit are amazing. You can see long stretches of farming fields, more rock formations and towns of the Wheatbelt in the distance.
Facilities at Kokerbin Rock are quite good. It is actually a former campground (which was moved to nearby Kwolyin camp). Newly upgraded, there are toilets, shelter, picnic tables, bbq, rubbish bins and an information display. We enjoyed our lunch of freshly cooked eggs and bacon there.
Kokerbin Rock is 40km north west of Bruce Rock and 9km away from Kwolyin camp. There is no entry fee to the reserve. Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed within the reserve.
Quairading Pink Lake
There are 2 unusual things about this pink lake. First, the road (sealed) goes directly through the lake, so you literally drive through it. Second, one side of the lake gets pink at certain times of the day and year, while the other side always stays blue. When we saw this lake at the end of September, only the edges of one side of the lake were pink. Assumingly, because the water there is shallow and thus warmer. This blogger offers a good explanation of this phenomenon.
Quairading Pink Lake is on Bruce Rock-Quairading Road, 11km east of Quairading.
Shackleton
This little town is known for having the smallest bank in Australia. The bank is within 3 by 4 meter building. It closed the operation in 1997. Shackleton, a small town of just around 100 people is on the Bruce Rock-Quairading Road between towns of Bruce Rock and Quairading. It is 9km from Kwolyin camp. We found it was worth a stop.
Bruce Rock
Bruce Rock is a rock, as well as the name of the town. While the rock is not as impressive and popular as nearby Kokerbin Rock, it is nevertheless a rock. With a lonely tree on top 😊. You can’t climb the rock, as it is a fenced area but you can have a picnic there, as facilities are provided (but no toilets). Bruce rock is a short drive from the town with the same name. It is about 40km east from Kwolyin camp. If you need to fill up fuel or buy food, it might be the place to visit.
Corrigin
We found Corrigin much nicer than Bruce Rock. Corrigin has a Dog Cemetry, 5km from the town, which is an attraction by itself (although, it could be a sad experience for some). Inside the town there are a few nice parks for kids to play or to have a picnic.
There is also Corrigin wildflower drive, which starts opposite the Corrigin Dog Cemetry. It is a 4km long drive trail with a variety of wildflowers blooming from August to November. We found it quite bright and colourful when we visited this place late September.
Petrophile brevifolia (above left), Dasymalla terminalis Native Foxglove (above top right), Glischrocaryon aureum Common Popflower (above bottom right).
Corrigin is 56km south of Kwolyin camp and is 235km east of Perth.
Babakin
Babakin is a very small town in the Wheatbelt region, between Bruce Rock and Corrigin. It is a quiet place with population of just 56 people. The reason it is known is because it is home to WA’s rarest plant – underground orchid Symonanthus bancroftii (also known as Rhizanthella gardneri). While it was not the right season to find this plant (and probably, almost impossible anyway, unless you are an expert), we stopped by to learn more.
Behind the town hall, we encountered a visitor – blue tongue lizard.
If you are into photography…
There are plenty of opportunities to utilise your skills and satisfy your passion as a photographer.
Farm fields in the Wheatbelt region look nice – green or yellow, from low or from high up.
There are various salt lakes, big and small, which could be dry during warmer months. They also look quite picturesque.
Rocks… There is no shortage of them in the Wheatbelt.
Kwolyin camp is located 40km north west of Bruce Rock, along Bruce Rock-Quairading Road. It is also 9km from Kokerbin Rock. Kwolyin camp is in the Central East Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.
There is no charge to stay at Kwolyin camp but you can only stay not more than for hours.
Boyagin nature reserve in the Wheatbelt area is an example of how the natural bushland looked like before the land was cleared for farming. It is a great place to observe wildlife and native wildflowers. Actually, you can drive through the reserve. Although the track gets steep and uneven at some places, so you would need a 4WD for that.
The heart of the reserve is Boyagin Rock, that rises 50 m above the land. There is a 1,1km moderately challenging and steep walk to the top of the rock. In spring and winter it is a nice place to enjoy the wildflowers.
Fringed Mantis Orchid Caladenia falcata (above left), Cowslip Orchid Caladenia Flava (above middle), Patersonia Occidentalis Purple Flag (above right).
Facilites at Boyagin nature reserve
Near the Boyagin Rock carpark there is a picnic area with tables, gas bbq, toilets and an excellent information display. The posters depict rich information about the reserve and its history. You can also learn there how the Rock plays an important role for Noongar people. We didn’t actually climb the rock as we ran out of time driving through the reserve itself.
Additional information:
Byoagin Rock is 175km south east of Perth and 26km north west of Pingelly. Camping and dogs are not allowed at the reserve.
Yornaning Dam, 24km north of Narrogin in the Wheatbelt, turned out to be a nice surprise for us. The dam was originally built to provide water for steam locomotives on the railway line between Perth and Albany and fresh water for Narrogin. Nowadays the dam is used for recreational swimming and as a picnic spot. We stopped at Yornaning Dam on our way home after camping at Dryandra Woodland. Being it close to home, we decided to spend a bit of time at this place.
What’s on offer at Yornaning Dam
First,there are a couple of easy walk and cycling trails around the dam, which are quite picturesque.
If you are into photography, this is a great place to spend some time. Second, the dam also attracts many native birds and animals. Third, the area around Yornaning Dam is actually a reserve, which means you will find great flora and fauna. Late winter and spring is particulaly a good time for viewing wildflowers, including a few types of orchids.
Yornaing Dam has excellent facilities, which include picnic tables, bbq, toilets and children’s playground. The view on the dam is awesome, especially if it is a nice slightly cloudy day or, perhaps, at sunset. While we had our lunch at the dam, we saw a number of people camping there. Apparently, according to the Cuballing shire website, if you are self-sufficient, you can camp there for free, for a maximum of 3 nights. Dogs are welcome on the leash.
To sum up, Yornaning Dam is a great place to visit. We’ll probably be back one day camping there.
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).
Marri picnic ground
Wildflowers at Foxes Lair
These are the flowers spotted late September along Valley Loop trail.
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, 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 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).
We were happy for an opportunity to still have fire on the last day of September.
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.
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 China Orchid Cyanicula gemmata (above left), Common Dragon Orchid Caladenia barbarossa (above middle), Cowslip orchid Caladenia flava subspecies sylvestris (above right).
There is a great variety of trigger plants at Dryandra Woodland:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. It was flowering during our both visits to Brooking street reserve. 
