Pioneer Museum

The museum was originally the first hospital for Wongan Hills and the surrounding area. In 1927 at the local Roads Board Meeting the issue of the need for a hospital was raised. Before this time people in the area were taken to Goomalling, 25 miles away. A rate payers meeting also addressed the problem of no local hospital. Dr Stenning had commenced practicing in Wongan Hills in 1929 and he assisted the townsfolk in raising and acquiring the funds for the hospital to be built.

In 1931 the hospital was opened. It had been built so that if the hospital did not continue it could be turned into a boarding house. Alterations and additions were made in the late 1930’s. In the 1950’s the doctors consulting room and waiting room were located within the hospital building.

In 1965 a new hospital was constructed. The original hospital had operated for thirty three years. The old hospital was used for nurse’s quarters. At times the flat within the building was rented out. In 1971 the Wongan Hills and Districts Museum and Historical Society took over the building. In 1972 the Wongan Pioneer Museum was officially opened.

Mt O’Brien Wheatbelt Lookout

In 1986 Mt O’Brien was officially renamed from Mt Dick and opened to the public by Mrs Hennessy (nee Cath O’Brien).

In July 1999 the Hon. Wilson Tuckey announced funding for the Mt. O’Brien Wheatbelt Lookout had been approved after an application for funding had been submitted by the Wongan Hills Tourism Group and shire of Wongan-Ballidu. Mt O’Brien Centenary of Federation “Wheatbelt Lookout” was officially opened on 27th October 2001, jointly by Hon. Wilson Tuckey M.P., Federal Member for O’Connor and the Wongan –Ballidu Shire President Mr Duncan Holme J.P., with 150 people attending.

At this event the Holme family donated to the Wongan -Ballidu Shire, 1 hectare adjoining the previous land excised, which now includes the mobile phone area and the Wheatbelt Lookout.

Mt O’Brien is the second highest point in the Wongan Hills (424 metres). Mt O’Brien has BBQ facilities, lighting, seating and tables.

Wongan Hills Nature Reserve

Also known as the Mount Matilda Walk Trail.

418 hectare reserve approx 12kms from Wongan Hills on the Waddington/Wongan Road.

The landscape of the hills is a complex of ridges dissected by steep gullies with the rugged ground unsuitable for farming and grazing. It remains an island of natural vegetation surrounded by cleared farmland. The highest point of the reserve is Mt Matilda at 434 metres above sea level.

The significance of the Wongan Hills is that it is not only floristically rich, but it also contains an assembly of plants that does not occur anywhere else in the wheatbelt.

The flora of the Wongan Hills is extremely diverse with more than 250 species of flowering plants, an exceptionally high number of species for this area. Of greater importance is that 16 of these species are unique to the Wongan Hills.

There are five species gazetted rare flora in the Wongan Hills Nature Reserve and numerous species of priority flora.

Roger’s Nature Reserve

341 hectare reserve is the second largest nature reserve in the Wongan Hills area 8kms west of Wongan Hills on the Waddington/Wongan Road. A spectacular display of many and various wildflowers. Visit the Wongan Hills Visitor Centre for up to date information on what is flowering and where to find them.

Flora: Eucalyptus sp., Grevillea sp., Isopogon sp., Pertophile sp., Conospermum sp., Verticordia sp., Stylidium sp., Daviesia sp. Orchids and many more.

Reynoldson Reserve

Reynoldson Reserve 16kms north of Wongan Hills is a truly outstanding reserve in November when the Verticordia abound with several different varities. The 1 hour walk trail resembles a massive garden of colours, shapes and sizes with scarcely room to tread. We recommend you keep to the bitumen and drive to Kondut which is approx 29 km’s to the reserve.

Flora: Verticordia chrysantha, Verticordia eriocephala, Verticordia monadelpha, Verticordia picta, Verticordia pritzelii, Verticordia venusta, Verticordia wonganensis, Grevillea sp., Xylomelum angustifolium, Persoonia sp. and more.

Dingo Rock

Enjoy a picnic at this Fauna and Flora Reserve on the Manmanning Road 25kms east of Wongan Hills. During the late winter and spring the reserve develops a picturesque covering of wildflowers. This large granite outcrop has a ‘Gnamma’ hole on the rock face. This was a water collection site. Picnic area with tables/seating and parking bays.

Elphin Nature Reserve

This 198 hectare reserve is 2kms west of Wongan Hills on the Waddington/Wongan Road. A spectacular display of many and various wildflowers. Visit the Wongan Hills Visitor Centre for up to date information on what is flowering and where to find them.

Flora: Eucalyptus sp., Grevillea sp., Isopogon sp., Pertophile sp., Conospermum sp., Verticordia sp., Stylidium sp., Daviesia sp. Orchids and many more.