Greetings fellow Foxies,
The name Yilliminning comes from an aboriginal word for nearby (now saline) pools.
The rock is a favoured destination for those who love to climb to the top for a great view, have a picnic and look for some of its many orchids. To get there from Narrogin head east on Herald Street/Yilliminning Road for about 15kms, turn left on to Birdwhistle Road then right into the reserve.
The picnic area has an information panel, bin and picnic table. If you must light a fire when it is permitted please take your own wood (or even better a portable BBQ), as firewood collection removes food and hiding places for native birds and animals. The rock itself used to be covered by sheets of exfoliated rock that harboured multitudes of rock dragon lizards and lichens, but these have been stolen or crushed by 4WD vehicles. Don’t drive on the rock. Allow at least 2-3 hours.
However there is more to Yilliminning than the rock. Adjacent to the north is kwongan sandplain/ gravel country that has a wonderful array of wildflowers, and you can do a 17km loop through scenic country to visit historic Yilliminning town site and Marramucking Well.
The name Yilliminning comes from an aboriginal word for nearby (now saline) pools.
The rock is a favoured destination for those who love to climb to the top for a great view, have a picnic and look for some of its many orchids. To get there from Narrogin head east on Herald Street/Yilliminning Road for about 15kms, turn left on to Birdwhistle Road then right into the reserve.
The picnic area has an information panel, bin and picnic table. If you must light a fire when it is permitted please take your own wood (or even better a portable BBQ), as firewood collection removes food and hiding places for native birds and animals. The rock itself used to be covered by sheets of exfoliated rock that harboured multitudes of rock dragon lizards and lichens, but these have been stolen or crushed by 4WD vehicles. Don’t drive on the rock. Allow at least 2-3 hours.
However there is more to Yilliminning than the rock. Adjacent to the north is kwongan sandplain/ gravel country that has a wonderful array of wildflowers, and you can do a 17km loop through scenic country to visit historic Yilliminning town site and Marramucking Well.
The rock itself is a granite inselberg (bedrock outcrop), rising to approximately 50 m, with commanding views of farm land and remnant vegetation. I love the small oases of mosses, lichens and other plants including the August/September flowering lemon scented orchid in water gaining areas and gnarled Kunzea pulchella with its stunning red flowers in late spring that thrives in cracks in the rock.
 |  Lemon scented sun orchid (August) |  view to west from side of the rock |  Kunzea pulchella (November) |
The open sheoak woodland has great spider orchids in September, particularly Chapmans spider orchid Caladenia chapmanii that varies in colour from blood red to mainly yellow or white, Green spider orchid Caladenia falcata and similar but uncommon Smooth-lipped spider orchid Caladenia integra. Magnificent plants!
 Chapmans spider orchid red form |  Chapmans spider orchid yellowish form |  Smooth lipped spider orchid |  Green spider orchid |
As you drive away from the rock, note the magnificent salmon gum trees and turn right (north) up Birdwhistle road to return via the scenic drive.
Vegetation changes to low scrub on gravel/yellow sandplain that looks like a native garden. This is true kwongan country (scrubby vegetation without timber bearing trees) where a large range of plants have changed the soil by controlling access to soil phosphorus. Despite being prickly and less showy, close examination reveals remarkable leaf shapes and flowers. Definitely visit this late Sept/Oct to see the pink and yellow feather flowers (Verticordias) on yellow sand and profusely flowering proteaceae on gravels. Click hyperlink for Kwongan information.
Vegetation changes to low scrub on gravel/yellow sandplain that looks like a native garden. This is true kwongan country (scrubby vegetation without timber bearing trees) where a large range of plants have changed the soil by controlling access to soil phosphorus. Despite being prickly and less showy, close examination reveals remarkable leaf shapes and flowers. Definitely visit this late Sept/Oct to see the pink and yellow feather flowers (Verticordias) on yellow sand and profusely flowering proteaceae on gravels. Click hyperlink for Kwongan information.
 Melaleuca pungens sandy gravel |  Calactesia sp. tinsel lily sandy gravel |  Verticordia acerosa yellow sand |  Calytrix lechenaultii on sandy gravel |
The country then becomes very hilly with large dryandra scrub and gravel pits on red-brown stony gravels that have formed on dolerite rather than the sandy gravels from granites.
At the crossroads turn left on to Cannell Road for 2.6km, left onto Boundain North Road and then right up Taylor Road and stop after the railway crossing near the ruins of the old Yilliminning townsite. Although only a hall, a school, a railway station and railway worker cottages it was an important social centre and transport centre for surrounding farmers. The plaque and ever present pepper/ fruit trees marking the school, and a ruined building are all that remains.
At the crossroads turn left on to Cannell Road for 2.6km, left onto Boundain North Road and then right up Taylor Road and stop after the railway crossing near the ruins of the old Yilliminning townsite. Although only a hall, a school, a railway station and railway worker cottages it was an important social centre and transport centre for surrounding farmers. The plaque and ever present pepper/ fruit trees marking the school, and a ruined building are all that remains.
Yilliminning ruin
Return to Boundain North Road, turn right and after 4.5km turn right on to Marramucking Road. You will soon see a sign and picnic table on the right. This is the historic Marramucking Well that is described in this Foxypress edition.
Return to Boundain North Road and turn right and after 3.5 km of pleasant farmland you will reach Yilliminning Road. Turn right to return to Narrogin.
Return to Boundain North Road and turn right and after 3.5 km of pleasant farmland you will reach Yilliminning Road. Turn right to return to Narrogin.
Marramucking well
