Dryandra Woodland in the west Wheatbelt turned out to be a magical place. 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. The best thing? You can camp at Dryandra Woodland, which means you have more time to explore this wonderful place.
Camping at Dryandra Woodland
There are 2 bush camp grounds within Dryandra Woodland National Park, managed by Parks and Wildlife Service – Congelin campground and Gnaala Mia campground. We stayed at Congelin campground, which we found was a great value for $11 per person per night. Facilities are very well maintained and include clean drop toilets (with toilet paper and sanitizer), undercover area with bbq, tables and fire-rings (with wood provided!) on most blocks.
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.
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).
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:
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. Unfortunately, we missed on Barna Mia tour (you need to book it well ahead during school holidays!) but 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 😊. With many bush walk trails in the Dryandra Woodland itself, plus many more nature reserves around the area, camping for one night was not enough. But that’s all we had and we really enjoyed the experience. We were happy for an opportunity to still have fire on the last day of September.
Where is Dryandra Woodland
Dryandry 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.
Additional info
The entry to Dryandra Woodland Park is free. Unfortunately, no dogs. The cost of both Congelin and Gnaala Mia campgrounds is $11 per person ($3 per child) per night.
