This 127 hectare reserve was originally surveyed as a townsite adjoining the Wedin railway siding. Apart from an old dam for steam locomotives and a few small gravel pits the reserve is in pristine condition and supports a wonderful variety of wildflowers. in late August to mid September depending on the season one can see a wonderfully diverse display of spider orchids on open wandoo woodland on either side of Wedin North Road where it meets Line Road. The reserve is a good stopping point for people doing a day trip from Narrogin to Harrismith Nature Reserve. |
The reserve is 52 km east of Narrogin. Drive on Yilliminning Road, turn right on to Line Road (gravel) past the old Toolibin townsite and park next to the old dam at the Wedin North Road Intersection.
Most of the reserve is on either side of Wedin North Road. There is a small section adjoining Wedin Road on the south side of the railway line, which adjoins a large area of salmon gum - wandoo bush on private property. Ruins in the bush are remains of the abandoned Jensen farmhouse (visiting not permitted).
The reserve has very smooth landscape, which is typical of the area. From a ridge at the highest point at the north-west corner, the land slopes smoothly down to open forest flats adjoining Line Road. Vegetation changes due to slight and usually unnoticeable changes in slope or soil type form a mosaic with many different types of wildflowers. Blue lines show old drains to the dam. They can be handy in finding your bearings in the bush.
The reserve has very smooth landscape, which is typical of the area. From a ridge at the highest point at the north-west corner, the land slopes smoothly down to open forest flats adjoining Line Road. Vegetation changes due to slight and usually unnoticeable changes in slope or soil type form a mosaic with many different types of wildflowers. Blue lines show old drains to the dam. They can be handy in finding your bearings in the bush.
Numbers shown in Map 3 show spots of interest.
Spot 1 is mainly an open Wandoo sand over clay flat, which is the best orchid country. Look for Caladenia hirta subsp rosea / Pink Candy Orchid Caladenia polychroma / Josephs Spider type orchids, Caladenia falcata / Fringed mantis orchid. Caladenia flava / cowslip orchid, greenhood orchids, sun orchids and a leek orchid.
Spot 1 is mainly an open Wandoo sand over clay flat, which is the best orchid country. Look for Caladenia hirta subsp rosea / Pink Candy Orchid Caladenia polychroma / Josephs Spider type orchids, Caladenia falcata / Fringed mantis orchid. Caladenia flava / cowslip orchid, greenhood orchids, sun orchids and a leek orchid.
Spot 2 on the western corner has a beautiful mosaic of sand over gravel kwongan shrubland interspersed with patches of lovely spindly Eucalyptus albida. To visit this spot you can park in an old gravel pit on the eastern side.
If you follow the second drain from the west, you will come to spot 3 where the slope changes from the valley to the ridge. This is scenic country, which is dotted with flowering shrubs in spring.
Spot 4 is a fire access track at the top of the reserve with a wide range of kwongan shrubs which change and alternate with mallee scrub as you drive along the track. I found purple enamel orchids near the eastern end.
Spot 5 is Red Morrell - mallee open forest with few understorey shrubs growing on dolerite clay loam soil, which adjoins ironstone gravel with scattered gravel pits.
To view a google Photos album of Wedin wildflowers click this link