Hi everyone, welcome back to my Midwest wildflower trundle. This is Part 2. If you missed Part 1 last week you can see it here - Wildflower Trundle, Part 1
From Perenjori we drove 138 km north to Mullewa via Morawa, with a stop at Canna Dam, 83km north of Perenjori. Dug by horse drawn ploughs and scoops, the dam was used as a railway dam between 1914 and 1956. There is a 200 metre walk around the dam where you can see orchids in season, as well as carpets of everlastings in spring.
There are information boards with history and orchid identification. I am not a botanist - so I will do my best with identification.
Here are the few we saw - top two on the left are Pink Candy Orchids, then on the right one of the Snail orchids. Bottom row two on the left are varieties of white Spider orchids, and the purple on the right is the Fringe Lilly. Others from around the dam which we didn't see are the Blue Fairy Orchid, the Ant Orchid, Shell orchid, Greenhoods and Donkey orchids.
From here we drove to where there is a bush campsite about 3km away. Here there is plenty of room to set up (although the track in could be boggy when wet), the everlastings were in full bloom, and the flys were very friendly when we sat down to have lunch under the shade of a tree. Bring a fly net - it can also double as a food fly cover!
These are Pink & Grey Galahs
On the way out we stopped on the side of the road so I could photograph some more flowers! Below clockwise from top left you can see - one of the Triggerplant varieties, Cone flowers, Pink Poker (Grevillea petrophiloides), Donkey Orchid, Honey Myrtle and Firebush.
And then onto Mullewa where we set up in the neat, partly shaded and grassed caravan park.
Wajarri aboriginal people have lived in and travelled through this country for thousands of years. Part of the broader Southern Yamatji group, their traditional lands extended east to Mt Magnet and Meekatharra and north to the Gascoyne River. They came to know this area as Mullawah (after the swans found on local pools) or Mooloowa, for the fog that often spills through the valleys and low country here.
In June 1861 John Davis, an early pastoralist from Champion Bay (Geraldton), wrote to the Government about taking up land around “Mullewa Spring” - the first Europeans to settle here. Mullewa became a significant depot for explorations and the eastward movement of pioneers into the Murchison. Gold was discovered in the Murchison area in the 1890s. For more information: Visit Mullewa
Today the population of Mullewa is around 450, 60% of whom live in town. They hold a wildflower festival each year. Check the website for dates.
A good place to start your exploration is at the Visitor Centre, where we picked up a Mullewa town and district map, showing local walk trails, and drive loop trails further afield. Here is part of the view of Mullewa from the Mullewa Scenic Lookout which you can drive to, or walk to via the Rail Heritage Loop from in town.
Monsignor Hawes lived in Mullewa for 22 years. In the 1920s he designed and built The Church of Our Lady of Mt Carmel. Built in Romanesque style typical of Italian or Spanish village churches, the church was built with help from local farmers carting stone from a nearby quarry The church is considered to be one of his finest designs and is classified by the National Trust. Adjacent is Monsignor Hawes Priest House, now a museum. Refer to the Visitor Centre for opening times. You can find out more here - Monsignor Hawes-Mullewa
I suggest a whole day for either loop trail. The 115km Northern Loop includes the old Tenindewa settlement and school with its historic stone causeway across the lake, and The Waterfalls, a natural waterfall 7km from Mullewa once a popular watering hole in the winter months and, today it's a favourite picnic spot. You can free camp at both Tenindewa and The Waterfalls. No facilities. Please take your rubbish away. One the way back to town, visit the pioneer cemetery - a fascinating snap-shot into the past.
Tenindewa
The 145km Southern loop takes in Coalseam Conservation Park - a mix of spring wildflowers, early mining history and stunning cliff-top views. We didn't visit Coalseam this time around, but here are photos from a previous visit. The botanically diverse Park covers 754 hectares. In 1846 Augustus, Frank and Henry Gregory where looking for grazing land and discovered exposed coal seams. A number of shafts were dug but the coal was found to be of poor quality. There are campsites at Coalseam. More information here - Explore Parks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/coalseam-conservation-park
East of Mullewa tourists are drawn to the Pindar-Beringarra Road where you can see Wreath Leschenaultia's spread along the roadside on Tallering Station - a spectacular sight for tourists and locals. This is the start of the Wool Wagon Pathway which runs 1160km north to Exmouth. Unfortunately the hotel at Pindar is now closed.
And a little surprise when we were looking at the Wreath Leschenaultias - a Thorny devil! (Moloch horridus) - a species native to Australia. So called because of the thorny spikes on his body. So cute, but he wasn't too impressed with having his photo taken. The spikes all over their bodies help them get a drink of water in the dry sand country. In the mornings they rub up against dew drops on the spinifex and the moisture runs between the spikes along grooves that run directly into their mouths. Growing up to 15cm in length, they live on a diet of black ants.
While we were in Mullewa I was thrilled to be able to visit Helen Ansell's art studio shop at 3 Jose Street. As well as enjoying her artwork you can have coffee and cake from her shop. I have long admired her art. Her Western Australian wildflower paintings are absolutely gorgeous. I now have one of her prints on my wall at home. She also has greeting cards, rugs, tote bags and other items decorated with her art. More here: Helen Ansell.com
For more visitor information about Mullewa, road conditions, where to see wildflowers and for information about the caravan park - Visit Mullewa.com.au
The Visitor Information Centre is located in the Community Resource Centre - corner of Maitland and Jose Street. Telephone: 08 9961 1500
You might also like:
Part 1 - Midwest Wildflower Trundle - 2024
The Wildflowers are blooming in Western Australia - Kimberley - Part 1 - 2016
Free camp Perth to Kununurra, Western Australia - 2019
I hope you have enjoyed Part 2 of my wildflower trundle. Next time I will be taking you further north to Wooleen Station in the Murchison Rangelands.
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