The Jam Patch is a large bushland reserve in North Lake Grace in the southern Wheatbelt, named for its many Jam Trees (Acacia acuminata). This protected area is a haven for native flora and fauna, lovingly cared for by volunteers from the Lake Grace Land Conservation District Committee.
Picnic and free camping area
Near the entrance, there’s a designated camping area for caravans. It’s simple and free, with no facilities apart from toilets—which, unfortunately, were unusable during our visit in early October 2025 due to lack of maintenance. Further into the reserve, the picnic area offers tables and barbecues. While it’s unclear whether camping is officially permitted there, we did see a few people sleeping in swags.
The camping area itself is modest in size and was fairly busy, but we managed to find a spot. Despite the limited amenities, it’s a peaceful place to spend a night or two, surrounded by bushland and birdsong.
Bush walks and wildflowers at the Jam Patch
The Jam Patch features several walking trails with interpretive signs. Two trails loop around flat granite outcrops, while a third traces the edge of a salt lake. These walks offer quiet immersion in nature and glimpses of wildflowers along the way.
Although we arrived a little late for peak bloom—donkeys and cowslips had already finished flowering—we were still treated to the delicate beauty of lemon-scented sun orchids, little laughing orchids, and granite sun orchid.
Even with fewer flowers, the walks were serene and restorative, offering solitude and a deep sense of connection to the land.
Pelargonium havlasae (top left), Brunonia australis (top right).
