Lions Dryandra Woodland Village:
Take a walk around and explore our beautiful village:
Explore around the oval-paddock in front of the cottages; and/or just look from your veranda and relax with beer, wine or a “cuppa tea”.
The “Old Mill Dam” is just 500m SW across the oval-paddock.
DePaW walks can start and finish from the village.
Brings your bikes to explore, spotlights and torches to go out for a night walk looking for Woylies, Quendas, Possums, Owls, Chuditchs, and take a moment to listen for the night frogs at the dams or the noisy Curlews running amok in the village. We even have a tennis court so bring your tennis rachets.
The nights are dark so great for star gazing and telescopes are welcome.
Binoculars if you have them are a great advantage when out walking as you will see many of the 107 birds varieties.
The kids (upto 70kg) can have fun at the new kids playground with a “flying fox” while the parents supervise having a bbq or picnic.
Lots to do (1 day is never enough) so please book for a few days and bring your friends.
Try joining into our facebook page; and share your pics. https://www.facebook.com/lions.dryandra.woodlands.village
Speak to the caretakers….g’day from “Les and Julie” and you will be able to decide what is best to do in the time available during your stay at the village, note: brochures (maps) at office and info brochures in each cottage; A new Story about Numbats: BBC Two – Australia: Earth’s Magical Kingdom, Series 1, Land, Numbats
The Parks and Wildlife Department of Government Western Australia is also a good source of information about what to see and do whilst in the Dryandra Woodland.
Link: Dryandra Woodland National Park (dbca.wa.gov.au)
Self Drive Tours
23 kilometre Darwinia drive trail – includes five pull-over bays where information is provided on the complexity and interdependence of natural systems at Dryandra. Using specific examples of relationships this drive will take you into the heart of the woodlands. Pack a picnic lunch or take a short walk to search for orchids near the granite outcrop at stop five. – See more at: Darwinia Drive Trail, Dryandra Woodland – Trails WA
Take a Guided Nocturnal Tour
Take a guided nocturnal tour in a tranquil sanctuary that has become home for some of Western Australia’s native animals facing extinction. Experience an unforgettable journey through Barna Mia in picturesque Dryandra Woodland. Barna Mia are run by DePaW (ph 98819200): Please note: Phone and book a few nights with us, pencil it in, then ring DePaW with a date (Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Saturday), and their same night booking; then ring us back to confirm your same dates at Dryandra Village. You must pre book Barna Mia through DePaW.
History:
1918 Forestry Dept tried to control cutting of Mallet Forest wood and sustainable forest near the ol’ Mill Dam historical site.
Oct 1923 First Mallet Trees were planted as part of a planed forest for future special harvesting.
1925 First forestry cottage built at Lol Gray, as a fire lookout, was later relocated to village and is now the caretakers cottage.
1934 Dryandra State Forest 51 is set aside as forest reserve.
1935ish = Forest Dept moved several Fire Hill Top Cottages to Dryandra Village and 10 cottages by 1948. A semi-self contained community, with 6 milking cows, pigs, fruit trees:
More Mallet Trees planted for the German Leather Tanning Industry;
Mallet Trees also used for Axe Handles;
1958 Tree nursery relocated to Dryandra from Kalgoorlie.
1965 Sowing of Mallet suspended and land revalued.
1971 Approval for the continued use of Dryandra for combined purpose of Flora Conservation, Wildlife Protection, Timber Production and Recreation.
1972 ish: Forest Dept = CALM = DePaW moved to Narrogin;
Oct 1972: Lions took over the lease of the Village and rebuild it over many decades.
Lions Clubs refurbished each cottage; then set up a combined Lions Management team;
Upgraded power to 240v; Playground, BBQ’s and facilities; and Repurposed 3 RAAF bases into the Currawong Complex for School groups.
2010: New water supply dam about 800 North of Village.
2020: New Playground with “Flying Fox” feature.
Feb 2022: Dryandra now declared a Australian National Park
Oct 2022: Lions’ Celebrated 50 Years of Lions Dryandra Woodland Village.
2022: New Gas Instant Hotwater Systems and new inline Water Filters to improve standards.
2023: 5* Cottage Bush Glamping in Australia’s Newest National Park.
11 Nov 2023 Come and Celebrate a 100 years of Mallet Plantations at Dryandra Village with a plaque ceremony. Ph Narrogin DBCA for info 98819200.
Nov 2023. New 100,000 litre Water Tank with more 120 micron filters to ensure better quality water from our own rainwater Dam; and good gravity fed pressure to the Village. Power Upgrades to secure each Cottage with its own 240V power lines and fuses; Repainting each Cottage started; New LED light upgrades; New bbqs at each Cottage and ongoing upgrades planned.
Useful Downloads for Hobbyists:
TRAILS WILDFLOWERS AND WILDLIFE
http://www.dryandratourism.org.au/trails-wildlife-and-wildflowers.html
https://www.foxeslair.org/foxypress/tutanning-nature-reserve