The Kodja Place Precinct: Visitor & Interpretive Centre

The Kodja Place tells the inside story of Australian country life in ways that will move and delight you. Voices, photographs, art and objects from Kojonup’s Noongar-Aboriginal and settler cultures are woven together in imaginative and richly-layered interpretations:

  • Trace the stories of Yoondi, Elizabeth and Maria along the enchanting pathways of the Australian Rose Maze to discover 100 years of Noongar, English and Italian experiences;
  • A self guided tour through the history of Kojonup's Indigenous and farming culture;
  • Bush animal tracks in the Kodj Gallery lead you on a journey from traditional Noongar life to modern farming;
  • Heart-felt and heart-warming, the personal stories in the Storyplace convey struggles for freedom and acceptance, hardships and achievements, and the joys and the everyday ways of contemporary country life; and
  • Enjoy yarns, billy-tea and damper in Yoondi’s Mia Mia with a Noongar Elder.

Bring the family for hours of fun, or enjoy a travel break at the Black Cockatoo café located next door to the Visitors Centre.

 

Three women, three cultures, three stories

The rose-hedged pathways of this enchanting garden are entwined with the life stories of Yoondi, Elizabeth and Maria:

‘Blankets don’t keep out the rain like yonger skins.’ Yoondi

‘I just hope the Coolgardie Safe can keep the jelly set in this heat.’ Elizabeth

‘Giovanni says our countries are at war. How can that be?’ Maria

Woven into the Maze’s rich tapestry of roses, pergolas, seating and pathways are the voices of these symbolic Noongar-Indigenous, English and Italian women – their moving stories revealed in printed words and mosaics, a journal, and poignant letters home.

Enjoy fragrances of blooms in golden-apricot, velvety-red, lemon yellow, and rich crimson. Rose lovers will find 100 varieties of Australian-bred roses across 1400 plantings, including Lorraine Lee, Milkmaid, Restless, Pacific Triumph, Carabella, Iced Parfait, Countrywoman, Howard Florey, Onkaparinga and Flinders.

The Australian Rose Maze is at its best in November, however, there are always some roses flowering from October to June – and there are mosaics, the Three Women’s Stories and over 20 pergolas and other symbolic structures to enjoy all year round!

Enrich your experience: Picnic in the Australian Rose Maze and trace the Three Women’s storylines across The Kodja Place site. Browse a copy of the ‘Kojonup Australian Rose Maze’ book in the Storyplace library.

Please click on the link to view The Kodja Place Master Pan and The Kodja Place Strategic Plan.

Rose Maze Book – Order Form

         

To order a copy of the Rose Maze Book, please complete the Rose Maze Book Order Form (PDF version) and email it to council@kojonup.wa.gov.au. Alternatively, you can call in at The Kodja Place and purchase a copy.