Proprietors: David and Cherry Jackson
Kojonup
-Established 1837-
Other places of interest to
visitors are the Kojonup Spring
and Picnic Area also in Rotary
Park. Many dignitaries of the
past, including the first
governor of the Swan River
Colony, Sir James Stirling,
have slept by their camp-fire
near the spring. Elverd's
Cottage near the military
barracks was built in the 1850
and is decorated with tools and
implements from the early
years.
In 1999 the Kojonup Noongar
community and the Shire of
Kojonup committed themselves
to the joint management of the
area generally known as the
Kojonup "Spring" and the
preservation of the spiritual,
cultural and historical
significance of the "Spring" and
surrounding land. Visitors are
welcome to picnic at this
unique historical site. Follow
signs from Albany Highway .
Kojonup Springs
Historic Cottage
-Built 1850-
Around the corner from the
Barracks (in Soldier Road) is
Elverd’s Cottage which was
built in 1854. The plaque
outside explains that 'The
original building was two
rooms which were 14 ft by 13
ft built of stone, roofed with
strong bound timber and well
thatched.'The property was
acquired by the Elverd Family
in the 1880s and donated to
the Historical Society. It now
houses some interesting
pieces of local memorabilia.
There are no regular times of
opening and people wanting
to inspect the cottage should
contact (08) 9831 1066
Name origin: Aboriginal -
meaning 'the place of the
kodja'. 'Kodja' is the word for
stones which were used to
make axes. Visitors can enjoy
billy tea and damper made on
a fire at a traditional
Aboriginal camp-site,
complete with lean-to.
Elvards Cottage
Jan
Wandecla Picnic Races
Oct/Nov
Wandecla Polocrosse Weekend and Kojonup Show
Sept/Oct
Wildflower Festival and Cycling Classic
Attractions around Kojonup
Located amidst a thriving sheep farming and mixed agricultural district,
Kojonup was first surveyed in 1837 as a military outpost for the
protection of travellers and the mail. Settlement soon followed although
early pastoralists had to overcome a great many problems before the
area prospered. The worst of these being poison plants which
threatened the livestock.
These days the main industries in Kojonup are the Kojonup Abattoirs,
light industrial engineering, Priors Bus and Coach Builders, sheep and
cattle stud farms and a cattle selling complex.
The military barracks, built in 1845 for the soldiers stationed in the area,
still stands and has been converted into a museum. It is on the edge of
Rotary Park, off Spring Street, and is open for inspection on Sunday
afternoons.
Kojonup region is known for its wild flowers, over 60 varieties of orchids
are to be found along with leschenaultia and wattles. The Kojonup Flora
Sanctuary is especially worth visiting in spring and Kojonup hosts the
annual Country Wildflower Festival in September.
