Camping in the Dryandra Woodland, Western Australian wheatbelt

Wattle at Dryandra

Firstly, I want to say thank you to all my lovely readers who took the time to comment on my last post Finding myself 50 plus plus. I think I struck a cord with many and your thoughful comments really helped my realise that I was not alone. Thank you. 

So today something more bright and cheerful!

In late September-early October we took a wildflower drive out through the eastern wheatbelt and beyond to the Great Western Woodland south of the Kalgoorlie goldfields. 
I brought you some images of spring in the wheatbelt here - Spring in the Western Australian wheatbelt

I promised to bring you more, so today I am backtracking to the start of that trip and our first night in the Dryandra woodland 22 kilometres north-west of Narrogin. As it is only about two hours drive from home we finished packing on Saturday morning, and left home after an early lunch. 

We reached Dryandra about 3pm after stopping along the way a couple of times to take photos of wildflowers - well we were on a wildflower drive after all :) 

Everlastings

We were surprised when we reached Dryandra that the campground was very full, but as it was the first day of the long weekend, and only being a couple of hours from Perth, and a great place to camp in spring, I guess we should have expected it. However we managed to find a good spot to set up, after a bit of maneuvering (manhandling) to get our camper trailer in. We had the kettle onto boil for a cuppa as soon as we had set up our camp.

 Bush camping in the wheatbelt is limited, and Dryandra is one I can recommend for families, retirees, bushwalkers, photographers, or just having a time-out weekend, as we have camped here a few times over the last few years.  The partly shaded Congelin Dam campground, located near the Congelin Railway Dam on the western side of Dryandra, is suitable for caravans, camper trailers, tents and there are group camping areas. The campground has been upgraded since we last visited in 2012. There are two camp kitchens, and long-drop toilets.

An easy 1.6 kilometre walk trail conveniently starts at the Congelin campground and follows the old Pinjarra to Narrogin railway line constructed in 1925. The walk trails are signposted with information boards telling you about the history and ecology of Dryandra including historic sites like the old water tank stand and railway dam.

 Below you can see the dam and the old rail formation. 

Dryandra Woodland is one of the largest remaining woodland areas in the vast Western Australian central wheatbelt.  This 28,000 hectare reserve managed by the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is a valuable conservation area.

With less than 10% of the Wheatbelt’s original native vegetation remaining, nature reserves and rock outcrops provide a valuable habitat for wildlife and flora, as well as being wonderful places to picnic and bushwalk, especially during spring when the wildflowers when the woodlands erupt in a profusion of wildflowers. 

Look out for the dragon orchids (you can see one in the centre here) along the Congelin Siding walk trail. 

Also below you can see, clock wise from top LH corner - Silky Petrophile, White Candles, Hibbertia, sorry I don't know what this one is but I loved the late afternoon light!, the blue Dampiera, Dryandra, Cone Flower, and Poison Bush.

 Another image of the Pink Coneflower - Isopogon crithmifolious - known as coneflowers because of the grey cones which remain on the shrub after flowering.

Pink Coneflower

One plant you will see in profusion is the yellow and gold Poison Bush (Gastrolobium). The Poison Bush is a member of the pea family and contains a toxic substance that when synthesised is called ‘1080’. The poison bush has no effect on native animals, but 1080 is used in baits to control feral animals such as foxes and feral cats.

There are picnic areas spread throughout Dryandra and seven walk trails suitable for all levels of fitness, ranging from one to thirteen kilometres and a 25-kilometre audio drive. The trails feature diverse vegetation including white-barked wandoo, powderbark, brown mallet and rock sheoak woodlands.  The Ochre Trail describes Noongar culture and features an ochre pit used by Aboriginal people for decoration. 

Here is one of the Dryandra species from which the woodland takes its name. There are twelve different dryandra species growing in Dryandra. 

Dryandra

Extensive clearing of bushland throughout the wheatbelt for farming and introduction of exotic plants, disease and predators such as the fox have severely affected native plants and animals. The Western Shield project, “Return to Dryandra” is re-introducing endangered species to the wild through breeding programs and fox-baiting. Dryandra’s woodlands protect 100 bird and 24 mammal species, including thirteen species of native ground-dwelling mammals such as the woylie, tammar wallaby and the numbat. 

 A night tour at the Barna Mia Sanctuary enables visitors to observe threatened species at close range. Please refer to the information boards about bookings and tour times. We are yet to do this tour, but I am told it is a great one to take children to, though you need to sit quietly. It is on my list for next time.

Below here you can see a numbat (you have to be very lucky to see this one), a Western Grey Kangaroo with Joey, a Bobtail lizard and an Echidna. 

Some more of Dryandra's wildflowers - from top LH corner - this blue one might be a Squill I am not sure, Dryandra, a field of tiny yellow flowers, Smokebush, Hakea, Wattle.

Not only wildflowers, I also enjoy taking pictures of textures. You might even find a tee-pee!
 

During the evening you are likely to see possums in the campground, but please do not encourage them by feeding them, or leave anything laying about when you go to bed and zip up your tents. 
 

If you don’t want to camp there are eight former Forest Department cottages at the Lions Dryandra Village which can cater up to twelve people, whilst the group huts can cater for up to 56 people.  Please refer to their website for bookings. 

There is also a new campground, Gnaala Mia, not far from Dryandra, with 30 campsites, completed in June 2015 and signposted along the Williams-York Road. There are sites suitable for caravans, camper trailers and tents, and a campkitchen with hotplates, bench and table.

Gnaala Mia campground

Dryandra is only a few hours from major centres, making it an easy to get to destination for a restful weekend getaway. 

MORE INFORMATION:

Where is it?: Approx two hours south east of Perth via the Albany Highway, and 22 kilometres north-west of Narrogin. Some of the roads are gravel, but were in very good condition when we visited.
Position:  -32.84489 116.88991
Best time to visit: Late winter and spring. Summer not recommended. 
Campgrounds - Congelin Dam campground and Gnaala Mia campground. 
Facilities:  Eco toilet, camp kitchen, picnic tables and fire rings. No power. Please bring all your own supplies, water and firewood, be aware of fire restrictions and take away your rubbish.   
Check Information boards for walk trail distances, estimated walk times and degree of difficulty.  
Campground rates at the time of writing:

Adults $7.50/night; Concession card holders $5.50/night; Children 6-15 years $2.50/night.
Pets : Not permitted due to wildlife conservation and  possible poison baiting

Useful Websites: 

Dryandra Tourism: www.dryandratourism.org.au 
Lions Dryandra Village: www.dryandravillage.org.au 
WA Dept of Parks & Wildlife - DPAW Park Stay - Then "camp finder" tab and search for "Dryandra".

Petrophile

I hope you have enjoyed this little tour of Dryandra. You might also like - 

Dryandra woodland in the early morning light - October 2012

Tour Western Australia - Entering the wheatbelt - Week 18/52

Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.

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