Northern Suburbs Branch, 24 September 2025

The North West Stock Route was formally established in 1889. A strip of land 40 chains wide, starting from Dongara and roughly following the route suggested by Walter Padbury in 1855 after he selected leases at Boongarra and the Junction (Neergabby), was set aside as a ‘Stock Route and Commonage for travellers and stock’. It ended in a 5,000-acre reserve at Sorrento and North Beach and included Star Swamp.

So, our all-day excursion for 28 members and visitors from the WA Wildflower Society began at Star Swamp with a short introduction, followed by a walk to a dedicated information board. Along the way, we passed the swamp, which would have been the source of water for the stock.

As we drove past Craigie Bushland and Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Cemetery, we could see the eastern side of the Quindalup dune system, which formed a natural western boundary of the stock route all the way to Lake Yanchep.

We had a brief stop overlooking Lake Joondalup, which was another Stopping Place for Travellers and Stock.

At Two Rocks “East”, we examined the remnant bushland growing on Cottesloe soil behind Countryside Park. This bushland, once part of the stock route, was close to Padbury’s Boongarra selection. However, it appeared from the lack of a thick understory that numerous fires had modified it.

Among the vegetation to catch our eye were two species of low-lying Hibbertia (Hibbertia striata and H. huegellii) growing side by side and numerous very large WA Christmas Trees.

A highlight of the excursion was our next stop at Western Premium Seeds’ processing facility. The owner, Quintan Husten, explained the processes involved, from acquiring the proper licences and permissions to the retailing of the processed seed, before demonstrating some of the equipment used to extract the seeds.

After lunching at the Gravity Discovery Centre, we proceeded to the Gingin Stock Route Nature Reserve along Chitna Road. This time, we examined the vegetation growing on Bassendean soil. The large Holly-leaved Banksias (B. ilicifolia) were noticeable among the many plants, which were different to our previous stop. After some searching, we also found a patch of Macarthuria australis.

Our next stop was at the Old North Road Stock Route Drive Trail picnic area beside Gingin Brook, close to where it joins the Moore River, hence the drovers’ name, The Junction, for this area. It was an important stopping point on the stock route because both the stock and the stockmen could get a drink. The building on the other side of the brook was formerly the Junction Hotel, built in 1874.

Don Poynton provided us with the results from the aquatic fauna surveys conducted upstream in 2023. Seven species of native fish, two species of crustaceans, Carter’s Freshwater Mussels and 52 Long-necked Turtles were recorded, indicating a healthy stream.

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Unfortunately, despite precautions, most people ended up with multiple ticks—otherwise, another successful and enjoyable excursion.

Don Poynton and Jolanda Keeble