Lechenaultia Biloba Archives

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.

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

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

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.

Armadale Settlers Common

Armadale Setters Common is located in Bedfordale, Western Australia. It is a large bushland reserve that is known for a variety of wildflowers in spring, boasting 318 plant species. It is also home to diverse fauna.

There are a number of hiking trails in Armadale Settlers Common, offering a range of experiences, from easy walks to picnicking, wildlife observation and photography. We visited this place late August, searching for wildflowers. Surely enough, we found quite a selection of them.

Settlers Common East

This is the smaller part of the reserve, which has great picnic facilities with benches, picnic tables and shelters. Observation Circle has gravel trails, offering bushland hiking experience. Next to it, is paved path for pram and wheelchair access.

There is also the greater Settlers Common on the other side of Carradine Road with longer trails (all gravel). We haven’t covered that place, hence we can’t write much about it. So all the pictures were taken in Settlers Common East.

Lechenaultia Biloba (above left). Blue Squill – Chamaescilla corymbosa (above right).

Common Donkey Orchid – Diuris brumalis (above left). Hakea lissocarapha – Honey Bush (above right).

Kennedia coccinea – Coral Vine (above left). Kennedia prostrata – Running Postman (above right).

Lemon-scented Darwinia (above left). Milkmaids Burchardia congesta (above right).

Morning Iris – Orthrosanthus laxus (above left). Swan River Myrtle – Hypocalymma robustum (above right).

Hairy Jug Flower – Adenanthos barbiger (above left). Red Ink Sundew – Drosera erythrorhiza (above top right). Wilson’s Grevillea – above bottom right.

Location and additional info

In conclusion, there is some practical information. Armadale Settlers Common is about 40 minutes drive from Perth. You can access it from Canns Road or Carradine Road, Bedfordale. There is no entry fee and dogs are allowed in this place.

Stirling Range NP

Bluff Knoll is the third highest mountain peak in Western Australia and is the highest in Stirling Range

Stirling Range NP is one of the best places in Western Australia for hiking, as well as to view wildflowers. Over 1500 species of plants grow there, with some plants not existing anywhere else in the world. Some plants are easy to spot and they are quite abundant. Others are rare and threatened flora and very hard to find, as it is protected. Certain types of wildflowers, like mountain bells, only grow in altitudes higher than 300 meters above sea level.

Bluff Knoll flora

The plants below were all photographed while climbing Bluff Knoll hiking trail.

Gastrolobium bilobum (Heart leaved poison)

East and West of Stirling Range NP

I found these wildflowers in Stirling Range National Park in places, other than Bluff Knoll. We stayed at Stirling Range Retreat, where a lot of orchids, as well as other plants grow.