3mbKojonup Reserve protects the largest area of wandoo woodlands in the region. The property is a rare example of the original landscape before the 1960s, when each year a million acres of WA bushland was cleared for broad-acre farming.
When to go
Kojonup is open to the public for day visits. The spring months are ideal for seeing wildflowers and abundant bird activity. Avoid summer as it can be hot and dry, with a high risk of wild fires. Do not visit on days rated as High Fire Danger or above or in adverse weather conditions. Please check weather conditions before visiting. There are no facilities on the reserve.
Preparation
Download and print the visitation guide and map.
Your safety is our concern but your responsibility. Please prepare thoroughly, as the reserve is some distance from medical and emergency services.
In an emergency, call 000. Ensure you have adequate food, water, first aid supplies and appropriate communication equipment.
Help minimise the chance of introducing the root fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi, by ensuring footwear, clothing and other gear is free from soil before entering the property.
Once established, Phytophthora cinnamomi is impossible to eradicate and causes the death of many species.
Also, please consider whether you're confident at finding your way around the bush, as there are no marked walking tracks.
How to get there
Kojonup is about 263km (a 3-hour drive) south-east from Perth and about 184km (a 2-hour drive) north-west from Albany. From the Albany Highway (30), turn onto Cherry Tree Pool Road, and then onto Mission Road.
The reserve sign is a short distance along the left-hand side of Mission Road. Park on the roadside near the gate (zoom in to see on map above).
While on reserve
There's no vehicle access to the reserve, so exploring is done on foot. Don't disturb or remove plants, animals, historical or archaeological items. If you come across nest boxes on trees, do not approach or disturb them. Please note that wildlife surveillance cameras are in use on the reserve.
Before you leave, please check you’ve taken all your rubbish with you.
Use of drones
Please note the use of drones is not permitted on Bush Heritage land without our prior written approval.
What to see
In wildflower season, enjoy Shy Featherflowers, Redcoats and Fringed Lilies in bloom. All year round, wander over heathlands and walk through mallet, sheoak and wandoo woodlands.
If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a Black-gloved Wallaby. Take time to look up into the canopy, where you could see many local bird species, such as Golden and Rufous Whistlers. Try spotting Rufous Treecreepers – a declining species that nests in hollows in mature wandoo trees. On the ground, look carefully around fallen logs, which provide habitat for foraging birds, such as White-browed Babblers.
Human history
Kojonup is an Aboriginal name said to mean ‘place of the stone axe' (kodja) and the stone used to make it (kodj).
Between 1926 and 1996, the O'Halloran family owned the property. They were so intent on protecting its woodlands that when it came time to sell, they spent 10 years finding the appropriate buyer – Bush Heritage.
Thank you
Thanks to all our supporters whose donations fund the day-to-day cost of managing this reserve. We also thank the many dedicated people involved in our work, including volunteers, partners and contractors.