_{In tribute to 20th Century Australian women, all the rose varieties in the maze were bred in Australia between the years 1900 to 2000. Entry to the maze is free. Photos: top & bottom left by Wendy Thorn; others by Lehua Chiswell.}

Australian Rose Maze & Three Women’s Stories

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.

These glimpses from the last century celebrate the lives of women, including Noongar women, whose experiences are so often missed in official histories. Drawing on experiences from the Kojonup area, the stories also echo the challenges and change faced by countless other Australian country women.

Discover pergolas as art and history! The pergola designs, and even the rose names, subtly link to the eras in the Maze’s 20th Century timeline.

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.

Read more here

Australian Rose Maze brochure