A Brief Discussion About The Australian Rose Maze

Located within the famous Kodja Place in Kojonup, the Australian Rose Maze is a tribute to the Australian women of the 20th century. It is an exquisite harmony of enduring symbols depicting femininity that challenge us for rethinking the daily experience of the female society who existed during the time period expanding from 1900 up to 2000. It is also one of the top attractions in Kojonup. 

Rose, which is an essential motif of tenderness and grace, proliferates here in abundance. In fact, the maze proudly exhibits over 1400 plants and 100 varieties. The wonderful flowers by their fragrance and beauty conjure up past history associated with this place and disseminate their unique floral exquisiteness. In the hearts of the native people here, they evoke varying emotions - Bleak House of solitude, Mary McKillop of trust, Restless of conflict, Carabella of exultation.

Throughout centuries, the Australian maze has signified the questing nature of mankind for whatever is elementary to femininity and yet unseen - the womb, the ultimate source of every creation. With its stories, pergolas, roses and pathways, it was designed to be a seat for community celebration. As the labyrinth continues to change with its growing plants, it depicts how the lives of Australian women got altered throughout the 20th century.

Associated with the major attraction spot of the Australian maze are the tales of three women - Elizabeth, Maria and Yoondi. Elizabeth was an English setter whose story can be found on the wandoo strainer posts in the form of journal entries. Fable of the Italian immigrant Maria may be read on seats of the maze. The journey of Yoondi, a Noongar, has been told in mosaics and words in the pathways.

When visitors take part in the Kojonup wildflower tours organised to explore the maze, they get to see the structures existing as a part of the Kodja place that were built by volunteers & local artists. These picturesque structures add dimension or elevation on one level in addition to providing boundaries or support for the plants. The roses thriving in the place are hedged with African boxwood or Myrsine africana, which were first planted in the year 2001.

The entire project of the rose maze was actually the inspiration of a native gardener and artist named Penny Young. It was him who designed the entire place with the help of 150 volunteers The development was also supported by the Shire of Kojonup, and the state & Commonwealth agencies, which ultimately brought the project the fruition.

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