History and heritage
The Military Barracks, the Heritage Harness Display, St Mary's Church, the Old School, the Railway Station and the Old Post Office are among the fifty-two significant sites mapped out on the walk through Kojonup's history and heritage.
Visit Brigadier AW Potts, a WWII Kokoda hero celebrated with a life-size sculpture standing on a granite boulder in Apex Park. Then head 19 km out along the Blackwood Road to Muradup, where you'll find one of the oldest World War memorials in Australia, built in 1916.
The highlight
Kodja Place embraces the 'One Story, Many Voices' history of Kojonup and can be found in the Visitors' Centre. Architecturally designed, it is a rammed earth building in the shape of a 'Kodj', or stone axe, and celebrates town and farm life with interactive attractions.
Sit on the school bus, drive the farm ute and walk the boards of a typical shearing shed; you can even check the rain gauge and the farm budget. The Kodja Place Gallery and Story Place houses artefacts, Noongar and farming stories, exhibits, photographs and short videos. Outside is a grassed courtyard with shading trees, bush pockets of native plants, a stage and a traditional Mia Mia beside the Heritage Rose Maze Garden.
The Rose Maze is an iconic feature of Kojonup, with 2000 Australian-bred rose bushes. The maze weaves the stories of three Kojonup women: Indigenous Yoondi, European-Australian Elizabeth and Italian migrant Maria, told through printed words, mosaics, a journal and poignant letters home.
As you walk the maze you'll encounter a rich tapestry of roses, pergolas, seating and pathways as their stories are revealed. The maze is at its best in November, though there are always some roses flowering from October to June, with over 100 varieties across 1400 plantings.
Flora and fauna reserves
The Farrar Nature Reserve, just outside Kojonup, is a 1000 acre reserve supporting a wide variation of flora and fauna thanks to its diversity of soils. It's also home to the Railway Dam, sunk by horse and cart in the early 1900s to supply fresh water for the steam engines that ran from Boyup Brook to Kojonup until 1982. Today, long neck tortoises and numerous species of frogs live alongside kangaroos, wallabies and reptiles.
If you're more of a bird lover, visit the Myrtle Benn Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, developed by local school children in the late 1960s, with walking trails through magnificent woodlands and flourishing native birdlife.
The Annual Wildflower Festival
Spend an idyllic getaway exploring the countryside and bushwalking during wildflower season. The Annual Wildflower Festival showcases a stunning display of over 400 named wildflower species within the Kojonup Shire, including a spectacular showing of local orchids.
Kojonup Spring, the freshwater source that first drew people here.
Around town
Enjoy a cold beer at the Commercial Hotel, Western Australia's oldest continually licensed hotel, or the magnificent Royal Hotel, built in 1887 and directly opposite Cornwall House. Grab freshly baked pies, pastries or bread from the famous Kojonup Bakery, or settle in at the Black Cockatoo Cafe, open 7 days, or Country Kitchen for country-style home cooking.
Our full dining guide
Gallery Aura shows fine Australian painting, sculpture, ceramics and textiles beside hand-picked European antiques. Woodenavacloo, next to the bakery, specialises in locally handmade toys and trinkets; across the road the Crafts and Gifts Shop is the quintessential country store. Don't miss Renew on Jones Road, Nightingales Nursery and Nest at the southern end of town, and the gift shop at the Kojonup Visitors' Centre with Noongar arts, crafts and books.
Within the Great Southern region surrounding Kojonup you'll find several world-class wineries. The gourmet produce of the Frankland River region is a forty-five minute drive away: Alkoomi Wines and Olive Oil, Blackwood Crest, Ferngrove Vineyards Estate, Frankland Estate and Jingilli Olive Oil. Ring ahead to make sure the cellar door is open.
Top vineyards near KojonupJoin the people of Kojonup for a chicken and champagne picnic at the Wandecla Races, held every February at the Wandecla Polo and Polocrosse Club, one of the oldest clubs of its kind in WA. Or challenge your friends at the combined Kojonup Golf Course and Tennis Club, swim laps in the Olympic pool through summer, and water-ski at Lake Towerinning, an ancient meteor crater filled with fresh, clear water.
Further afield
Bluff Knoll and the range country are a genuine day trip from our front door.
Read the day-trip guide
Every stop on the Albany Highway, leg by leg, with Kojonup at the halfway mark.
Plan the road trip
Shows, festivals and events across the town and the wider region, all year round.
See what's onBook your night in Kojonup
Contactless check-in from 2pm, free onsite parking and a comfortable bed halfway along the Albany Highway. Book direct for the best rates.
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