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Darwinia Drive Trail, Dryandra Woodland

Wiilman Noongar Country

Part of Dryandra Woodland network

Views to farmland +4 Gallery
2WD
Trail difficulty
Easy
  • Length 23km
  • Est. time 1-3 hours
  • Circuit / loop
Today

16°C

17°

9°

Part of Dryandra Woodland network

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Dryandra Woodland features the largest area of remnant vegetation in the western Wheatbelt and forms part of an international biodiversity ‘hotspot’ where more than 850 species of plants can be seen. To assist you along the way, take a pocket-sized guide book, Wildflowers of Dryandra Woodland. It is available for purchase from the Barna Mia animal sanctuary or the Dryandra Village Settlement.

The woodland of wandoo, kwongan (the Aboriginal word for heath and shrublands), mallee, sheoak thickets and plantations of brown mallet is home to the numbat, Western Australia’s state fauna emblem.  It is also home to other threatened and remarkable fauna such as the red-tailed phascogale, woylie, western grey kangaroo, tammar wallaby, brushtail possum and echidna as well as a diverse variety of reptiles and insects.

This drive on gravel roads offers the opportunity to enjoy the woodland and to learn about its ecosystems. ​ It is named after a darwinia that grows in only a few locations in the south west, including Dryandra.

To discover walk trails in the area visit the Dryandra Woodland Network page.

Narrogin Parks and Wildlife Office

(08) 9881 9200

Dryandra Country Visitor Centre (Narrogin)

(08) 9881 2064

National Parks

Other Links

Downloads

Statistics - Flora and Fauna

25
Mammal species
100+
Bird species
800+
Plant species

Dryandra Woodland is a valuable nature conservation area featuring the largest remnant of original vegetation in the western Wheatbelt. More than 25 mammals, 100 birds and 50 reptiles call Dryandra home, including Western Australia’s state mammal emblem, the numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus).

Famous for its open eucalypt forests (wandoo and mallet), it shelters over 850 floral species, many of which erupt into flower during the spring. The woodland also encompasses a mix of jarrah, sheoak thickets and kwongan heathlands, plus there are five types of 'poison bush' found here that contain the toxin 1080. Local fauna have co-evolved with these plants and are immune.

The woodland is home to over 100 bird species, including the striking Carnaby's black-cockatoo, the rare bush stone-curlew, and the mound-building malleefowl. More than 50 reptile species, including various skinks, dragons, and monitors, inhabit the woodland floor.

The area is a key stronghold for threatened native species like the numbat, woylie, tammar wallaby, chuditch, quenda, and red-tailed phascogale. Many of Dryandra's most famous animals are active at night. Taking a quiet torch-lit walk from campgrounds can reward you with sightings. For guaranteed sightings of endangered and nocturnal species (including the numbat, woylie, and bilby), you can book a guided, predator-proof spotlight tour at the Barna Mia Animal Sanctuary.

Plant and animal species commonly found in Dryandra Woodland

Tawny Frogmouth

Podargus strigoides

Animalia: Aves

Tachyglossus aculeatus acanthion

Animalia: Mammalia

Dragon Orchid

Caladenia barbarossa

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Common Donkey Orchid

Diuris corymbosa

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Sandplain Poison

Gastrolobium microcarpum

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Bitter Quandong

Santalum murrayanum

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Frilled Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum sargentii

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Wheatbelt Spider Orchid

Caladenia x cala

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Numbat

Myrmecobius fasciatus

Animalia: Mammalia

Conservation status: Endangered

EN

Woylie

Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi

Animalia: Mammalia

Conservation status: Critically Endangered

CR

Numbat

Myrmecobius fasciatus

Animalia: Mammalia

Conservation status: Endangered

EN

Chuditch

Dasyurus geoffroii

Animalia: Mammalia

Conservation status: Vulnerable

VU

Barna Mia Nocturnal Wildlife Experience

Take a guided nocturnal tour in a tranquil sanctuary that has become home for some of Western Australia’s native animals facing extinction. 

Barna Mia is an animal sanctuary with a difference. Nestled in the heart of Dryandra Woodland National Park, south-east of Perth, Barna Mia is a place to discover threatened native marsupials in a natural setting, and experience the wonders of the woodland. Once the sun has set the action begins. A tour guide takes visitors on a delightful journey through the sanctuary. With the guide's special torches, you can see threatened native animals such as bilby, woylie, mala, quenda and boodie.

https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/site/barna-mia-nocturnal-wildlife-experience

Viewing Notes

Apr-Sep
See the Milky Way
Apr-Sep
Find the Emu In The Sky

Dryandra Woodland offers a peaceful Wheatbelt setting for visitors who want to pair a day on the trails with an evening under the stars. Nearby Narrogin is an official Astrotourism WA town, recognised as a welcoming place for stargazing and astrophotography.

Away from the brighter lights of larger towns, clear nights around Dryandra can reveal a brilliant canopy of stars. After exploring the woodland by day, stay a little longer to enjoy the quiet of the bush after dark, when the night sky and nocturnal wildlife become part of the experience.

Dryandra is also home to Barna Mia, a guided nocturnal wildlife experience where visitors can learn about some of Western Australia’s threatened native animals in a tranquil woodland sanctuary. It makes the area a memorable place to connect with both the stars above and the wildlife of the woodland after sunset.

For the best stargazing experience, plan your visit close to a new moon, choose a clear night and give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. Please keep artificial light to a minimum, use a red-light torch where possible, stay on marked tracks and follow all park and campground guidelines.

Gallery:

Additional resources for this trail

Be trail ready

Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Time / Duration

1.5 hours

Length

23km loop

Trail Access

By road to Dryandra via Wandering. 170km (2 hours) south east of Perth.

Trail Start

Dryandra Village, 170km (2 hours) south east of Perth

Get directions

Trail End

When to go

March to December

What’s the weather like?

What To Pack

Facilities

There are campgrounds at Congelin Dam and Gnaala Mia. There is cottage accommodation at Lions Dryandra Village. Picnic facilities are available at Dryandra village and the Old Mill Dam. Barna Mia is an animal sanctuary offering nocturnal tours.

  • Camping
  • Car Park
  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet
  • Shaded Area
  • Sheltered Area
More tips for being Trail Ready

Today Jul 11, 1:36pm

16°C

Feels like 15°C

Max 17°

Min 9°

Precipitation: 0%

Visibility: 10km

Wind: 3.52km/h S

8-day forecast

Sat

17°

9°

Sun

17°

8°

Mon

18°

9°

Tue

18°

9°

Wed

20°

9°

Thu

22°

12°

Fri

22°

12°

Sat

16°

10°

Weather data provided by:

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1 trail goers have rated this trail as 5 out of 5!

We love to hear from people who've been on our Western Australian trails, so it would be most appreciated it if you wanted to leave a review.

Sarah Meredith

Reviewed 21 Apr 2022, 9:43am

A really lovely drive through the forest! Easily managed in a sedan, lots of places to stop and take a look. If you time it right, you will reach the end hill in time for the sunset, which sets you up nicely for the night time hike in the same area (Wandoo Night Walk).

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