Farrar Reserve

Noongar Boodja 

There are signs of the long habitation of this country by Noongar people, including scar trees with shield cutouts and a kodj tree (which have notches cut into the trunk with a kodj, a type of axe, so men could climb in search of bush foods like possums). The Kodj Gallery, in Kojonup’s Kodja Place Visitor Centre, has a kodj and a photo of a kodj tree on display.

Just a few km away from Farrar Reserve is the award-winning Kodja Place.  This interactive visitor centre tells the stories of the deep heritage of the Noongar people, and also the strength of will and self-reliance of the early pastoral families that opened up the land around this track that connected the water holes.

History of the Reserve 

Farrar Dam, in the centre of the reserve, was built in 1918 to provide water for the steam-powered railway, the main means of transport at the beginning of the 20th century.

When steam-powered train travel declined, the dam became an important recreation and swimming spot, before a swimming pool was built in Kojonup in 1970.

The train line between Boyup Brook and Kojonup remained operational until flooding in 1982 damaged the railway.

Farrar Dam came to be treasured by the local community for its botanical riches, and a place to view wildflowers.

The original railway line was restored for a tourism railway, but this has closed recently. It is possible to walk the 6km from Kojonup out to Farrar Reserve on the trail next to the former railway line.

Soils and diversity of life

One of the reasons south-western Australia has such immense diversity in plant species is because of the intricate mosaic of different soil types.

This diversity is obvious even in a small reserve like Farrar, where different collections of plants will be evident on different soil types.

Here at Farrar there are sheoak groves, open woodland, low scrub, granite outcrops and winter wet areas. 

Plantlife

The Kojonup Regional Herbarium has identified hundreds of plant species in Farrar Reserve. There is an illustrated list of wildflower and orchids below.

Birdlife

The Farrar Dam provides important habitat for a number of waterbirds, especially for Kojonup which has less lakes and wetlands than some neighbouring areas. 

The woodland areas surrounding the dam are also home to a large number of birds. 

Long-necked turtle & other fauna

The Farrar railway dam also provides important habitat for the Western long-necked turtle.

This turtle is now largely lost from other waterways in the region because of increasing salinity.

Turtles not tortoises

Because of being seen out of the water, they are often mistaken for tortoises, but they are in fact freshwater turtles. Australian freshwater turtles have webbed feet with long, sharp claws. They are semi-aquatic – feeding in the water but can spend many hours a day out of the water.

Some small marsupials have been discovered at Farrar Reserve, including the red-tailed phascogale. Larger marsupials like kangaroos and wallabies also make their home in the reserve.

Walks

It is possible to walk to Farrar Reserve along the scenic 12 km Farrar Walk Trail from the Visitor Centre along the old railway track to Farrar Siding.

At the Reserve, a walk trail takes you through the woodland. There is also a drive track to the dam. Click on the image to enlarge.

Birdlife

At the railway dam, the waterbirds likely to be present include: 

Other woodland species you might see include birds of prey:

Other smaller birds you might see include: 

Download an illustrated list of all bird species found at Farrar Reserve:

Wildflowers and Orchids

On the gravel areas, look out for the beautiful bright-blue Lechenaultia (as well as the red variety), the white candle flowers of the Stackhousia, and four species of brightly coloured Gastrolobium – the native ‘poison pea plants’.

Orchids will be found amongst the sheoak groves. Look out for the Hare, Pink Fairy, Greenhood and Mantis Orchids

The full list of wildflower and orchid species at Farrar Reserve:

Giving back and getting involved

To support the conservation work at Farrar Reserve, find out more from the Shire of Kojonup Landcare Officer. 

Nearby

There are many other sites to visit nearby including:

Myrtle Benn Reserve

Many vegetation types, wildflowers and orchids to find here - with signposted walk trails to guide you.

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More Info

Directions

To get to the Farrar Reserve, drive west from the Kojonup Visitor Centre for 8 km along the Blackwood Rd to the junction of Farrar Rd.

Or walk along the scenic 12 km Farrar Walk Trail from the Visitor Centre along the old railway track to Farrar siding.    

Closest towns

Kojonup is just 8km away, by bitumen road. Via the walk trail Kojonup is 12km.

When to go

Djilba and Kambarang – from July to the end of November – is the best time to see the most flowers and orchids, and birds.

Where to eat and stay

See the suggestions from our friends at Great Southern Treasures:

Visitor Information

The award-winning Kodja Place is an interactive visitor centre, right at the bottom of the hill, where the creek runs through Apex Park.

After just an hour here, you’ll have a new appreciation of the deep heritage of the Noongar people, and also the strength of will and self-reliance of the early pastoral families that opened up the land around this track that connected the water holes.