The drive to Albany has some lovely country towns to stop and discover. Kojonup lays a little over half way down Albany Highway, and is a great place to park up. While the main street has bakeries and shops to browse, the “Kodja Place” is excellent for tourists too. Here you’ll find an information center, the Black Cockatoo Café, local museum, public toilets and even a maze!
I regularly drive to Albany. Seen as a 4-5hr drive from Perth, it’s a little quieter than Margs, but absolutely worth a road trip. Though there are a few iffy servos along the way, I always make a stop at the excellent Williams Woolshed, and The Kodja Place, plus Mount Barker too. In Kojonup, I’ll stop at the Black Cockatoo Café for an excellent cup of Karvan coffee.
The café has a kids toy/book corner that will entertain little ones, while you take a break. Customers are also welcome to use their clean loos.
There’s plenty of dine in or take away food and drink options, and the outside eating area is lovely too.
Next to the café you’ll find the rose maze, donations for entry are welcomed. This tells the story of three women from Kojonup from the last century – Yoondi (Noongar), Elizabeth (English settler) and Maria (Italian migrant).
The maze is a fun way to stretch your legs after hours in the car. At the center of the beautiful maze is a grassed area, perfect for a picnic or game of hide and seek.
In the rose maze, kids can climb the sheep yards and sit on the arty stone and log seats too.
While the roses are at their best in November, there are beautiful blooms most of the year (other than in winter).
The gallery/museum (entry fee applies), and gift shop are also well worth a look. Near to the Kodja Place you’ll also find more public toilets, plenty of parking and a playground. Kojonup is well worth taking an hour out of your trip to explore. It’s great place to stop with kids.
Find The Kodja Place and Black Cockatoo Café at 143 Albany Hwy, Kojonup.
Get more info on their website.
Find places to visit in Albany and Denmark
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Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life” has enjoyed an exciting name change in 2021, as “The Chef’s Ex-wife” embarks on new adventures with Simply PERTHfect. Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA, as well as brunching, tapas or something a little fancy in equal measures. With her son “Little Chef” in tow, Amanda always has plenty of family friendly eating options to recommend too! Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
