People really do come here from all over the world for the wildflowers. When I first heard that I thought really? Are they that special? But they are. We have a constant stream of travellers in the visitor centre from August until November from everywhere, and I mean everywhere.” -Geire Kami
We are so lucky. It’s funny how many local people haven’t been to Foxes Lair. I am always really shocked when someone tells me they’ve never been there. It’s like living in Egypt but never going to the pyramids. From where we sit in the scheme of things, we see how many people come to the region specifically to go to the reserve. Everyday someone will come in looking for directions.
The wonderful thing about Foxes Lair is how the community have claimed it. There are social media groups with people of all ages posting the most amazing photos, and leaving detailed instructions of where to find something like a special orchid they have come across. Doug Sawkins, Rick Playle, Dr. Alan Kerigan and Lyn Alcock are all incredible photographers. Their work is world class, and I believe they do an amazing job inspiring people to get out there and have a closer look at the stunning endemic plants and animals in our backyard.
Of course, people love to walk in Western Australia. We’ve got a lot of space. It’s a pretty good hobby to have. There are five great hikes in Foxes Lair, so you don’t need to pick through the underbrush looking for orchids. You might see a little flag on a twig and that will alert you to something special close by.
Doug has done an amazing job redesigning the walks. My favourite place has to be the arboretum. There are more than 60 species of eucalypts, all kinds of gorgeous trees, and tonnes of birds. It was planted out first in the 1950s by the agricultural department of the time, so people could visit and easily see for themselves how the different trees grow here. I know Doug has been popping more saplings in and it is pretty wonderful to see how they take off.
Male Western Rosella by Rick Playle
This is a special spot because it attracts lots of nectar and pollen eating animals over the summer months, and this symbiosis is essential to biodiversity. But I mostly love the view from the giant boulders and they are a great spot for a picnic. I often find my boulder inhabited by someone else with the same idea.
If you haven’t been to Foxes Lair in a while, you really must go. It’s right here in the middle of Narrogin in the Dyrandra region. You don’t have to go far. Although some people do. People really do come here from all over the world for the wildflowers. When I first heard that I thought really? Are they that special? But they are. We have a constant stream of travellers in the visitor centre from August to November from everywhere, and I mean everywhere.
Foxes Lair is a bushland reserve in the town of Narrogin, Western Australia, that has walks, picnic areas, and a wide array of wildflowers and birds. It is located on the Williams-Kondinin Road, across the road from the caravan park.
You can find out more information on the Foxes Lair website or Dryandra Tourism website.