Tutanning Reserve & Percy Marshall Research Centre

Tutanning is an important natural remnant of original fauna and flora in Pingelly, Wheatbelt region. The reserve is 2381 hectares in size and encompasses the Dutarning Range. It is nestled among agriculture land, making it a vital fauna refuge. Come experience the great Australian Bush and make the most of your stay at the Percy Marshall Research Centre situated only 90 minutes from Perth. Experience the divide, where the Hotham meets the Avon!!

Short stays are available at the Percy Marshall Research Centre. This was built in 1963 and officially opened in 1964 as the first biological research station and living quarters at Tutanning. The Centre offers dormitory style accommodation (exclusive use of 1 room per family). Two rooms with single bunks only. 6 beds in one room, and 4 in the other. It is still used by field staff for research purpose whilst allowing public to also hire the centre for accommodation.

Visitor information at the Centre provides a colourful outline of its historical significance, community presence, research, biodiversity, and ecological values.

To book your nights stay at the Percy Marshall Research Centre please send us a request through our enquiry page - Tutanning Accomodation Booking Form

WHAT TO DO

Bushwalking, bird watching, wildflower rambles, trail driving and spotlighting or just unwinding are just some of the activities you can enjoy.  With over 80 species of birds and 750 species of wildflowers, there is a lot of sight seeing to experience at Tutanning. BBQ’s are available at Tutanning to soak up the peace and tranquillity whilst enjoying dinner under the best night sky you could ever see.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The recommended best time to visit Tutanning is in the Djeran, Makuru, Djilba and Kambarang seasons (April- November) to appreciate the local wildflowers and bird life.

WHAT TO BRING

Guests who are staying at the Percy Marshall Research Centre are required to bring along the following to make their stay more comfortable.

  • Pillows are provided, although you may wish to bring your own.
  • Sleeping bags/Doonas and bed sheets.
  • Towels, Toiletries and Toilet Rolls.
  • Torches and Headlamps
  • Drinking Water and Food Supplies,

Percy Marshall Research Centre has a functioning kitchen, solar power and firewood available during the winter period.

For day visitors please ensure you are wearing the correct footwear for the trail walking and have all necessary items on hand in case of an emergency. These items may include:

  • Communication Device/ Radio
  • First Aid Kit
  • Drinking Water
  • Wet weather gear (if applicable)

Please remember to take only Photographs and leave only footprints. We ask that you discard of all rubbish appropriately and respectfully.

HOW TO GET THERE

Tutanning is less than a two-hour drive from Perth. If travelling from Perth, travel towards Brookton on Brookton Highway, then South towards Pingelly via the Great Southern Highway. After arriving in Pingelly head towards Wickepin on the Pingelly-Wickepin Road for 22km before turning left on Marshall Road towards Tutanning Nature Reserve. Follow Marshall Road for 3.5km to the Cattle grid and turn right. Follow the paddock around and you will see the Percy Marshall Research Centre on the left.

WALK TRAIL

The Class 3 walk trail takes approximately 2 hours to complete the 6km moderate walk trail with clear directional signage. You may encounter minor natural hazards such as short, steep sections, steps, shallow water crossings and unstable or slippery surfaces. A good level of fitness is recommended.

The walk commences at the Percy Marshall Research Centre and loops back to the starting point. There are six guiding reflective trail markers and interpretation signs along the way. You may see a Gnamma hole, Malleefowl nest, and a host of wildflowers.

FLORA

An important vegetation type, known in South-Western Australia as Kwongan Shrublands, occurs in small patches throughout the reserve. Knowngan vegetaion communities comprise half of Tutanning’s flora species, which is roughly 750 species in total. Jarrah, Wandoo, Powderbank Wandoo and Brown Mallet are also found within the reserve including early projects to revegetate. Between 1903 and 1906, botanist Guy Shorteridge collected over 400 species of plants for the British Museum.

FAUNA

There are many animals in and around the Tutanning Reserve. A basic list below shows some of the common and not so common animals you may be likely to come across during your stay or trail.

It is recommended you bring along field guides to make the most of your identification experience.

Birds
  • Whistling Kite
  • Malleefowl
  • Brown Goshawk
  • Splendid Fair-Wren
  • Western Spinebill
  • Rufous Whistler
  • Golden Whistler
  • Baudin’s Cockatoo
  • Wedge-Tailed Eagle
Mammals
  • Chuditch
  • Numbat
  • Tammar Wallaby
  • Yellow Antechinus (Mardo)
  • White Striped Mastiff Bat
  • Western Grey Kangaroo
  • Western Pygmy Possum
 Frogs
  • Bleating Froglet
  • Banjo Frog
  • Humming Frog
Reptiles
  • Thorny Devil
  • Bungarra
  • Bobtail
  • Marbled Gecko
  • Velvet Gecko

MANAGEMENT

The ongoing vegetation research, monitoring and fire management ensure habitats are supported for the endangered Woylie, Tammar Wallabies, Numbats, Possums and Red-tailed Phascogales.

Western Shield is an ongoing conservation program and has been instrumental in helping our threatened fauna to survive the impacts of introduced species by controlling the feral fox and cat populations. Both District and Science staff undertake regular trapping and control activities, to record existing fauna populations.

NEARBY NATURE RESERVES

Boyagin Rock

Boyagin Nature Reserve in an important remnant of natural bushland on the western edge of the Central Wheatbelt. It is widely recognised as one of the few areas of original fauna and flora left in the Wheatbelt, a shining example of pre-clearing.

The “Boyagin Rock” is an imposing outcrop which has been cracked and pitted by weathering. There are shire-managed picnic facilities and an interpretation shelter. The rock is home to the unusual Resurrection Plant (also known as “Pincushions”), a tough little plant which dries and “dies” out in summer only to be ‘resurrected’ by the first rains of winter.

Dryandra Woodland

Dryandra Woodland is home to the Numbat, Western Australia’s and Pingelly’s mammal emblem, and a valuable nature conservation area featuring the largest remnant of original vegetation in the western Wheatbelt. Home to more than 25 mammals, 100 birds and 50 reptile species, wildlife encounters are certain.

Opportunities abound to “discover Dryandra”, including walk trails, picnic sites and BBQ’s, audio, and drive trails, as well as Cottage accommodation at the Historical Lions Village, or Congelin Campground. Barna Mia Native Animal Sanctuary’s guided spotlighting walks enables visitors to observe rare native mammals feeding such as Bilby, Woylie, Boodie, Marl, Quenda and Mala, preceded by a presentation and opportunity to select souvenirs from the gift-shop.