WheatbeltWayDriveTrail

15/08/2020 ….. Danberrin Hill to Perth (Road Trip 2020)

Road Trip, Western Australian Orchids

Unlike our other mornings, we wake to sounds of other people. The church group are up and busy, so we have breakfast then decide to climb the rock before breaking camp.

Danberrin Rock Reserve

Pink candy orchid

(Caladenia hirta susbp. rosea)

Glistening spider orchid

(Caladenia incensum)

Time to head back down to the campers. We pack up saying our goodbyes to the church group, before heading off to Site 22 on the Wheatbelt Way Drive Trail. Trayning Gnamma Holes are 18km north of Trayning and are listed as the largest in the district. Orchids were found alongside the track from the carpark to the gnamma holes.

Trayning Gnamma Holes

Common spider orchid

(Caladenia varians)

Blue beard, Blue fairy orchid

(Pheladenia deformis)

We then move south to Site 23 – Trayning Well a large rocked lined tank. It was situated right on the edge of the road so no opportunity to look for orchids. Then we head west to Yelbeni Town Site where the large, open shed museum is Site 24, the final stop on the Wheatbelt Way Drive Trail.

The completion of the Wheatbelt Way Drive Trail is reached as we drive back through Wyalkatchem and Dowerin, completing the loop. It was a great drive trail where we got to explore natural features and re-visit the history of the areas visited. We part ways with Richard as we head into Toodyay, to visit the Christmas Shop, whilst Richard heads to his home.

Today was more history than orchids but was a great end to the Trail. We will be spending a few days in Perth visiting relatives. Plan to head off again on the 18/8.

14/08/2020 ….. Weira Reserve to Danberrin Hill (Road Trip 2020)

Billyacatting Hill NR, Nature Reserves, Other Reserves, Road Trip, Weira Reserve, Western Australian Orchids

Another leisurely morning, where we have breakfast and pack up the campers, before heading off exploring the reserve, with Deb this time. We check out the breakaway as we did yesterday, then make our way back to the campsite for the walk trail to the gnamma hole.

Weira Reserve

Hairy-stemmed snail orchid

(Pterostylis setulosa)

Glistening spider orchid

(Caladenia incensum)

Caladenia dimidia X Caladenia incensum

Dainty blue orchid

(Cyanicula amplexans)

Chameleon spider orchid

(Caladenia dimidia)

Green-veined shell orchid

(Pterostylis scabra)

We arrived at the gnamma hole , however it was a weed infested area so we quickly trekked back to the campers to move on. No photos taken. The next stop on the Wheatbelt Way Drive Trail was Site 19, a place called Wattoning Historical Site. Here we first took time to have lunch before finding a place to check for orchids. Nothing discovered so we move on.

  • Gravesite
  • Well
  • Gnamma holes

We then backtracked, stopping to take photos of Cleomine, a wind driven tribute to a local racehorse, then an old grain silo relocated to Mukinbudin, before arriving at Site 20 – Mangowine Homestead. This historical location was once an inn where travellers to the goldfields rested up. It was an interesting stop but alas still no orchids.

  • Cleomine
  • Grain silo
  • Mangowine Homestead

We then decided to visit site 21, Billyacatting Hill, before reaching Nungarin, as we plan to camp south of the town. We did not wish to backtrack North tomorrow.

Billyacatting Nature Reserve

Ant orchid, Clown orchid, Man orchid, Jack-in-the-Box

(Caladenia roei)

Yellow granite donkey orchid

(Diuris hazeliae)

Jug orchid, Recurved shell orchid, Antelope orchid, Bull orchid

(Pterostylis recurva)

Mallee banded greenhood

(Pterostylis arbuscula)

Drooping spider orchid

(Caladenia radialis)

Green-veined shell orchid

(Pterostylis scabra)

Pink candy orchid

(Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea)

Blue beard

(Pheladenia deformis)

Hairy-stemmed snail orchid

(Pterostylis setulosa)

Rufous greenhood complex orchid

(Pterostylis sp.)

Leaving Billyacatting Rock we backtrack to the Nungarin North Road and head south. Bypassing Nungarin, we find our planned location, Danberrin Hill. The campground was already occupied by a group of people, however as it was getting late we decided to pull up and setcamp. Over the next hour or so more people turn up and we are completely surrounded by a church group who set up a big campfire. We are serenaded with gospel singing, however we provide late night entertainment for them as well. An interesting night to finish off a great day exploring. 12 species located, plus 1 possible hybrid and an emerging rufous type greenhood.

  • Sunset at Danberrin Hill

13/08/2020 ….. Elachbutting Rock to Weira Reserve (Road Trip 2020)

Nature Reserves, Other Reserves, Road Trip, Sandford Rocks NR, Weira Reserve, Western Australian Orchids, Westonia Common

We awake to a beautiful sunny day, have a leisurely breakfast and finally break camp around 10am. Before leaving Elachbutting Rock we check out the stone lined well.

  • Beautiful morning
  • Rock lined well
  • Looking down the well

Heading south we pass Yanneymooning Nature Reserve, not stopping this time, then turned east onto Morrison Road, which takes us through Chiddarcooping Nature Reserve. Further south we finally reach Sandford Rocks Nature Reserve which is Site 16 on the Wheatbelt Way Drive Trail. We stop at the north eastern section of the reserve and have a look around finding some orchids before moving down to the actual visitors area of the park. It is a great walk around the rock where we find a good selection of orchids.

Sandford Rocks Nature Reserve

Hairy-stemmed snail orchids

(Pterostylis setulosa)

Sugar orchid

(Ericksonella saccharata)

Jug orchid, Recurved shell orchid, Bull orchid, Antelope orchid

(Pterostylis recurva)

Frog greenhood

(Pterostylis sargentii)

Ironcaps spider orchid, Mystery spider orchid

Yellow granite donkey orchid

(Diuris hazeliae)

Blue beard, Blue fairy orchid

(Pheladenia deformis)

Glistening spider orchid

(Caladenia incensum)

Dainty blue orchid

(Cyanicula amplexans)

Little laughing leek orchid

(Prasophyllum gracile)

Ant orchid, Clown orchid, Man orchid, Jack-in-the-Box

(Caladenia roei)

After exploring for around 2hrs we make our way south to Westonia where we have lunch, hamburger and chips, at the local shop. We then move onto Site 17 Boodalin Soak which is located in the Westonia Common a 5600ha patch of salmon gum, morrell and gimlet woodlands. We first stop on the drive in from Stoneman Road, then park up at the well, before we venture on foot to explore the granite rocks.

  • Site 17
  • Stone lined well on the York to Kalgoorlie trail

Boodalin Soak

Glistening spider orchid

(Caladenia incensum)

Hairy-stemmed snail orchid

(Pterostylis setulosa)

Pink candy orchid

(Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea)

Blue beard

(Pheladenia deformis)

Ant orchid

(Caladenia roei)

Yellow granite donkey orchid

(Diuris hazeliae)

Dainty blue orchid

(Cyanicula amplexans)

Cowslip orchid

(Caladenia flava subsp. flava)

Midget greenhood

(Pterostylis mutica)

It’s now 3-30 ish so we make tracks for the next site on the trail. We hope to stay here the night as it is listed as a campsite in the trail guide. We arrive at site 18 Weira Reserve and find a level area to set up the campers. Whilst Deb plays with the campfire , Richard and I climb up the limestone breakaway to go for a quick exploration.

Weira Reserve

Chameleon spider orchid

(Caladenia dimidia)

Blue beard

(Pheladenia deformis)

Hairy-stemmed snail orchid

(Pterostylis setulosa)

Light is fading fast so we make our way back to Deb at the campfire with a plan to take her exploring tomorrow. Great day today as we found 15 orchid species over 3 locations.

  • Campsite

12/08/2020 ….. Billiburning Rock to Elachbutting Rock (Road Trip 2020)

Billiburning Reserve, Datjoin Well and Rock, Other Reserves, Road Trip, Western Australian Orchids

We wake to a wintery morning with grey clouds and the threat of rain. We quickly have breakfast then start to pack up camp. Unfortunately the rain arrives and we rush to pack up in the pouring rain. Not ideal but we will set up again tonight so it will dry out then.

We head back south to Beacon, then head east to the next stop. Site 12 of the Wheatbelt Way Drive Trail is Datjoin Rock and Well Reserve.

Datjoin (Dahjoing) Well

Blue beard, Blue fairy orchid

(Pheladenia deformis)

Pink candy orchid

(Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea)

Drooping spider orchid

(Caladenia radialis)

Chameleon spider orchid

(Caladenia dimidia)

(Caladenia radialis x incensum)

Dark-tipped spider orchid

(Caladenia x exoleta)

Ant orchid, Clown orchid, man orchid, Jack-in-the-box

(Caladenia roei)

Yellow granite donkey orchid

(Diuris hazeliae)

Leaving after a good 2 hours of searching we head to the next site along the Wheatbelt Way Drive Trail. Site 13 is the Bonnie Rock townsite. Behind the hall is a wonderful new toilet and shower facility. We decide to have a nice hot shower and prepare lunch. Refreshed we then move onto Site 14 Beringbooding Rock. We go for a walk onto the rock which was excellent , however no orchids were found. The largest rock water catchment tank in Australia is located here. Deb and I had camped here on a previous trip, however as it is only early we move on, with plans to camp at the next location.

  • Site 13
  • Site 14
  • Largest Rock Catchment Tank in Australia
  • Gnamma hole

We arrive at Site 15 Elachbutting Rock just after 2pm and visit the Wave Rock, Monty’s Pass and Kings Cave, before driving around to the south eastern side, where we find a place to camp. I go for a clamber over the nearby rock after camp is set. It is too steep to climb up far, so end up skirting along the base for a bit then making my way back to camp.

  • Wave Rock
  • Monty’s Pass
  • King Cave
  • Campsite
  • Steep rock side

Elachbutting Rock

Hairy-stemmed snail orchid

(Pterostylis setulosa)

Ant orchid, Clown orchid, Jack-in-the-box, Man orchid

Finished the day around another campfire, grateful that the wet weather did not follow us from our morning showers. Seven species and some hybrids found today so was an OK day.

11/08/2020 ….. Koorda to Billiburning Rock(Road Trip 2020)

Billiburning Reserve, Koorda Native Flora Reserve, Road Trip, Western Australian Orchids

After a wonderful sleep and hearty breakfast at the Koorda Hotel it is time to head off to Site 7 of the Wheatbelt Way Drive Trail. Koorda Native Flora Reserve has 3 walk trails. We tackle the Yellow Walk Trail. The other 2 will have to wait a return visit.

Koorda Native Flora Reserve

Hairy-stemmed snail orchid

(Pterostylis setulosa)

Next stop was Site 8 – Gabbin Townsite where we completed the Town walk trail. Very interesting history. We then moved onto Bencubbin to fuel up, then headed to Beacon, bypassing Sites 9 (Marshall Rock) and 10 (Pergande Sheep Yards) as we had all visited them on a previous Road Trip. Interesting little installation with a Honey theme discovered on Ingleton road in Tampu. (Refer Featured Image)

  • Buncubbin Hotel
  • Ingleton Road – Tampu

Billiburning Rock

Site 11 of the Wheatbelt Way Drive Trail. We arrived around 1pm and made the decision to stay here for the night. After setting up camp and having a bite to eat for lunch, we set off on a wander around and onto the rock to see what we could see.

Dainty blue orchid

(Cyanicula amplexans)

Blue beard, Blue fairy orchid

(Pheladenia deformis)

Little laughing leek orchid

(Prasophyllum gracile)

Hairy-stemmed snail orchid

(Pterostylis setulosa)

Pink candy orchid

(Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea)

Glistening spider orchid

(Caladenia incensum)

Ant orchid, Clown orchid, Man orchid, Jack-in-the Box

(Caladenia roei)

“Rufous greenhood complex” orchid

(Pterostylis sp.)

Well this location proved to be an awesome spot for orchids given the previous poor showings so far this trip. 8 species in total today so we settled in for a fun night around the campfire to celebrate.

  • Our camp
  • Hollow log flame
  • Samsung phone fun filters
  • Samsung phone fun filters

10/08/2020 ….. Dowerin to Koorda (Road Trip 2020)

Korrelocking NR, Nature Reserves, Road Trip, Western Australian Orchids

Now the planned Road Trip starts. We are going to be following the “Wheatbelt Way Drive Trail” and Dowerin is the home of Site 1. Tin Dog Creek is visited and we venture along one of the walk trails. Amazingly we do not find a single orchid, which is disappointing.

We then move onto Site 3 – Naaning Well. We park up and walk into the remains of the well. Again no orchids to be found.

Driving past Namelcatchem Nature Reserve, we notice a walk trail into the bush, so stop to check this out. It happens to be a trail to the Namelcatchem Well. Still no orchids. We then move onto Site 2 – Minnivale and visit the bakery again plus check out the free overnight camping area.

We called into the Wyalkatchem Visitors Centre for directions to Site 5 Wyalkatchem Well and local knowledge of orchid sightings. This paid off with our finds near the railway line.

  • Tin Dog Creek Walk Trail
  • Rusty the Tin dog – Dowerin
  • Naaning well relics
  • Namelcatchem Well
  • Namelcatchem Well
  • Minnivale bakery
  • Wyalkatchem Well

Korrelocking Nature Reserve

Site 4 of the Wheatbelt Way Drive Trail

Blue beard, Blue fairy orchid.

(Pheladenia deformis)

Wyalkatchem Railway Verge

Stark white spider orchid

(Caladenia longicauda subsp. eminens)

Chameleon spider orchid

(Caladenia dimidia)

Cowcowing Cemetery & Lakes

Site 6 of the Wheatbelt Way Drive Trail. We checked out the cemetery then as we were leaving a massive hood of snail orchids catches our eye.

Hairy-stemmed snail orchid

(Pterostylis setulosa)

We are planning on camping at Site 7 so I decide we have time to detour to Newcarlbeon Rock via 2 other stops. The first stop at Badgerin rock we missed, then our next stop at Moningarin seemed to be a sports ground, so we headed straight for Newcarlbeon Rock. The weather was coming in again (Very windy with possible showers) so we quickly checked out the campground and decided we would head back into Koorda for an unplanned hotel overnight stay.

  • Newcarlbeon rock
  • Koorda Hotel

A warm night, great meal and of course great company was enjoyed.

Only 4 species found today.

Lets see what tomorrow will bring. Better weather and more orchids we hope!!