Western Australia boasts more than 12,000 species of wildflowers with sixty-percent of them found nowhere else on earth.
The State’s spectacular wildflower season commences in the north of the state mid-year and rolls through to the south coast until November.
There’s plenty of places to enjoy nature’s spring carnival and here’s some of the best.
Kings Park
Perched high above Perth city with its sweeping views along the Swan River, Kings Park is a favourite spot for tourists and locals alike.
The parkland has various bush walking tracks, recreational areas and picnic spots, with guided wildflower walks throughout the four square-kilometre park available daily by a local ranger.
Also a Botanic Garden, Kings Park showcases over 3,000 varieties of the State’s unique flora, including many rare and threatened species.
Swan Valley
Just a short 30-minute drive north east of Perth, is Swan Valley. Best known for its wineries, restaurants and popular cellar doors, the valley also has walking trails at Whiteman Park where prickly bark banksia, hibberias and grass trees are common.
At Noble Falls Walk Trail, you’ll find orchids, hakeas, grevilleas, isopogons, petrophiles, trigger plants and verticordias.
The Wheat Belt
A three to four our drive north of Perth will find you in Western Australia’s wheat belt, where the Shire of Merredin is home to over 980 species of wildflowers.
July to October is best viewing time, with the season dependent on seasonal rainfall. Species of acacia and eucalypt make up the majority but also included is some 47 species of orchids and numerous species of hakea, grevillea, verticordia and other varieties of heath land plants.
This area is also home to another famous WA site – Wave Rock.
RELATED STORIES…
- Australia’s great road trip
- Domestic Australian airlines baggage rules explained
- Botanical tours around the world
Perth Hills
Forty minutes east of the city past Midland, the scenic hills that surround Perth are a nature lover’s playground. A wide-range of bushwalking tracks can be explored such as Eagles’ View Walk in John Forrest National Park.
Wandoo Heights Wildflower Trail offer an abundance of wildflowers to enjoy including anigozanthus, kangaroo paw, conostylis, cat’s paws, helichrysum, everlastings, drosera, sundews, and various orchids.
A self-guided map is available at the entrance and the track is well sign posted with markers along the trail pointing out wildflowers and other native vegetation.
Rottnest Island
One of Western Australia’s popular playgrounds is Rottnest Island. This small island is a scenic 30-minute ferry ride West of Fremantle (one-hour from Perth city) and is famed for its adorable Quokkas – the tiny marsupial can only be found on Rottnest Island and is a protected species. Type ‘quokka selfies’ into Google for some of the cutest photos you’ll find on the net.
Whilst you’ll find approximately 1,500 native species of wildflower, keen horticulturalists seek out the rare and beautiful Blue Rottnest Daisy, that is native to the island.
Coalseam Conservation Park
A small reserve north of Mingenew, about 100-kilometres east of Geraldton, Coalseam Conservation Park puts on a stunning display of colour during wildflower season. A wide range of annuals and perennials are on display with everlastings, banksias, hakeas and grevilleas most prominent.
Also home to a diverse range of wildlife, keep a keen eye out for kangaroos, emus, echidnas, eagles and cockatoos.
How to get there
Flights: Perth is serviced by all major airlines, with multiple flights daily Australia-wide.
Car Hire: Car hire can be found at domestic and international airports, plus select locations throughout the city by all major car hire companies.
Hotels: Perth city is home to 245 hotels across all star ratings. Perth city hotels are centrally located, with public transport to Kings Park and surrounding areas.
While you’re there…
Western Australia is home to a stunning coastline of white sandy beaches. Don’t miss Cottesloe Beach, where sand meets green grass, for a great family picnic spot surrounded by restaurants and entertainment venues. Come for the beach, but stay for the sunset over the ocean for a truly spectacular show by Mother Nature.
