It is a complex of 17 distinct blocks managed by the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and spread over approximately 50 kilometres (31 miles) separated by areas of agricultural land.

[5] The Dryandra Woodland is found within the south-western province of the Yilgarn craton, "an ancient plateau composed mainly of granite, with intrusions of dolerite and capped with laterite.

Stands of jarrah (E. marginata) and marri (Corymbia calophylla) provide additional top cover, and the understorey contains rock sheoak (Allocasuarina huegeliana) and extensive areas of Banksia ser.

[7] For certain animals, movement between blocks is necessary on a daily, seasonal or intermittent basis, to provide access to food, shelter, breeding sites and partners.

[citation needed] Threatened fauna receive extra protection within the Barna Mia animal sanctuary, which is open to visitors by appointment for nocturnal tours on alternate evenings.

[1] The woodland's position on the transition zone between the wheatbelt and the jarrah forest determines amphibian populations, with several species existing at the eastern or western limits of their range.

[3] After measures aimed at excluding feral cats, the population of numbats in the Dryandra Woodland had increased to 35 by November 2020, after recording just 10 in 2019 and 5 in 2018.

[citation needed] In the early 1900s a significant industry established within the forest and surrounding region harvesting bark from brown mallet trees (Eucalyptus astringens),[18] a species of eucalypt which grows on and near laterite soils in parts of the southern wheatbelt.

[1] In 1960, Arthur Hunter, a local farmer, started manufacturing tool handles from naturally fallen and low-grade felled wandoo and mallet.

[1] In 1995, following requests from local Aboriginal people, the Department of Environment and Conservation was considering the feasibility of permitting some cultural activities including hunting and camping within the woodland, to pass on skills to younger members of that community.

[1] Accommodation is available at the Congelin and Gnaala Mia campgrounds and at the Lions Dryandra Village, which uses restored cottages from the 1920s Forests Department settlement.

[21] Adjacent to the cottages is the Currawong Complex, which has several Nissen huts acquired from an Air Force base and now used to accommodate up to 60 people in groups.

[23] On arrival at one of the five or six stop points, an approximate five-minute broadcast through the car's FM radio provides a narrative commentary explaining interesting aspects of the surrounding area.

[25] Native mammalian herbivores have evolved with a high level of genetic tolerance to the toxin, which is deadly to introduced species including foxes.

Baiting programs including the highly successful Western Shield project use sodium fluoroacetate to help control foxes without harming native fauna.

[7] In addition, various 30 minute to five-hour bushwalks can be made along signposted trails through the woodlands, ranging in length from 1 to 12.5 kilometres (0.62 to 7.77 mi).