Quick and interesting facts about this Wheatbelt town.
For those who are planning a trip to Kojonup in West Australia, you might surprise yourself with all the warmth there is on offer, both from the weather and the people. Not only does Kojonup have some of the country’s best local museums, but it also has among the most varied people in Australia, The Land Down Under.
Kojonup’s facilities and accommodations are as varied as its people. The town is as fascinating as it gets, so you can expect it to take you to fun places you’ve never seen before. Kojonup is among the most peaceful and historic attractions this side of the Great Southern Region and is home to the Noongar people who live from Geraldton to Esperance.
6 fantastic facts about Kojonup
There are so many things to do there: museums visits, family-friendly mazes, and flower sanctuaries. There’s a ton of fun facts about Kojonup that you might be interested to know as you plan your visit to this piece of gem:
1. Kojonup started as a freshwater spring.
To many people, Kojonup now is a rural town that is made up of wheat farms as far as the eye can see. But did you know that it all started with a freshwater spring?
As the colonists started moving away from Sydney, Europeans started surveying several areas, especially Western Australia. Alfred Hillman was the first European in the locale, arriving in 1837. The Noongar people were gracious enough to lead him to a freshwater spring, an important physical and spiritual gesture. The area then became an important staging post on the road to Albany.
2. There used to be a Military Barracks in Kojonup.
Kojonup is one of the smaller farming towns now, but it’s more important to the history of West Australia than meets the eye. In 1837, the new Australian Government started to use it as a crossroads towards different locales.
The government set up a military outpost first as protection for travelers and mail deliveries. At the time, mail was the only way to connect to the outside world, so it was especially crucial.
By 1845, Kojonup had become big enough to support a military barracks near the freshwater spring the locals pointed. You can find the original barracks built on its original site – in the Kojonup Pioneer Museum.
3. Kojonup is a compound word.
The word ‘Kojonup’ is a unique word from the Noongar; Kojonup comes from two Noongar words – “kodj” and “up” (pronounced oop). The kodj is an authentic Nyoongar stone axe, which was a part of their tradition since the beginning of time. A kodj is an axe, which represents the history of the natives.
“Up”, in Noongar language, is the word for “a place of water.” As we mentioned, the locale is famous for its original freshwater spring that helped the immigrants establish local civilisation.
Kojonup literally translates to “an axe on a place of water.” Even today, there are still granite outcrops in several areas around town. These were likely sources of axe blades for the original settlers, which helped foster the Aboriginals who lived on the land.
4. Sport is a large part of Kojonup life.
For those visiting Kojonup, at first glance, you’ll get the impression that you’re in a super quiet town. Any person will mistakenly believe that there’s nothing to do here, and that’s ok. But contrary to expectations, the town is quite sporty.
There are many sports facilities in the locale that people can enjoy – both young and old. For starters, there’s an 18-hole golf course in the area for you to enjoy a few rounds. There’s also a nearby skate park for those who are into more extreme sports.
If you want to play in the water, there’s a 50-metre outdoor swimming pool; If you want to be a little more athletic, the Kojonup Town Oval is close, where you can play some footy or netball.
If you’re staying at nearby accommodation such as Cornwall House, for example, these are all easy to access, many on foot within a few minutes, but of course you can bring your family by car with no fuss whatsoever.
5. Kojonup’s Rose Maze is made up of Australian roses
In the middle of the canola fields in Kojonup, there is a secret that lurks for the curious-of-mind. The Australian Rose Maze is one of a kind and something you won’t find in any other place.
When in season from October, you will smell the heady scent of roses drifting through the maze and your heart alike. All the roses here are Australian-bred and have amazingly Australian names to them. These include the likes of Kwinana, Australia Felix, Squatter’s Dream, and Sunny South. The Australian Rose Maze is a great rose garden and a superb maze. It will challenge the way you think about spaces whilst enjoying the scent of roses.
As you progress, you’ll learn about the three most important women of Kojonup. These three women are Yoondi, a local Nyoogar woman; Elizabeth, an early settler; and Maria, an Italian settler. They are instrumental insights into the lives of women at the time.
6. Kojonup is built on wool.
If you visit Kojonup, you’ll notice the Centenary of Federation Wool Wagon just around the Visitor Centre. This commemorates the instrumental role wool had in putting the town on the map. If you see sheep anywhere in the region, you’ll see them at Kojonup!
During its early years, Kojonup was also founded on the production of canola oil as its primary product as well as sandalwood and kangaroo hunting.
Its wool industry boomed in the mid-19th century until the start of the 20th century. By 1905, the shire had as many as 10,500 sheep. By 1989, they have shorn as many as one million sheep.
Plan ahead and book your Kojonup accommodation today
If you find yourself in Kojonup, you will see how a small, Wheatbelt town can be so entertaining and informative in amongst the moments of pure relaxation – and naturally you’ll want to stay at one of the best family accommodations in the area.
Cornwall House Accommodation exudes a friendly vibe, warm and hospitable staff, and a beautifully cosy atmosphere. We are near all the attractions in Kojonup, so you can find many things to do in a small amount of time. Talk to us today and talk with us about your Great Southern Region itinerary.
