Experience Wildflower Season in Perth

Wildflower season in Western Australia feels like the whole landscape flips a switch. The landscape transitions from rocky red dirt to a bed of colourful wildflowers. This is an annual spectacle that takes place between August and October every year, it is best enjoyed slowly, with time to stop, walk, photograph, and breathe.

If you take the time to drive around, looping up the coast from Perth to Kalbarri and back through inland to York you can experience everything from the spectacular wildflowers through to historical architecture. You will get to tour with locals and wander through country towns soaking in more than just the floral spectacle, but some of the best that the Perth region has to offer.

Image: Wildflowers in Western Australia – Tourism Western Australia

Perth to The Pinnacles: limestone wonders and a sunrise glow

Heading north from Perth along the coast you should head up to the Nambung National Park where you can encounter the other-worldly Pinnacles, thousands of limestone formations that cross the desert. These formations have been moulded by the weather over tens of thousands of years with some reaching up to three and a half meters in height.

If you are near The Pinnacles in the early morning, try to catch the sunrise over the limestone. It creates a luminous glow on the yellow limestone adding to the already spectacular sight.

If you are visiting, remember that even though there are tracks for vehicles through The Pinnacles, you cannot take your motorhome on unsealed roads. It is best that you leave your motorhome in the safety of the carpark and enjoy these magnificent structures on foot.

Nambung Station: Stargaze amongst the sheep

One of the most unique overnight stays that you can add to your itinerary is at the operational Nambung Station. This 5,000-acre working sheep and cattle farm has both powered and un-powered sites available, but what sets this stay apart is the amazing stargazing that is available at night while you are far from the glow of the city lights.

Image: Wildflowers in Western Australia – Tourism Western Australia

Dongara – Port Dennison: Local touring with wildflowers

One of the best ways to experience the amazing wildflowers is to take a guided tour. The Wildflower Tour is about connecting people with nature; you will get to learn about the amazing flowers on display as well as get to see some orchid hotspots known only to the locals.

Part of the tour is also a stop in at Depot Hill, this is a conservation area that is designed to help protect these amazing blooms, and forms part of the Coalstream Conservation Park.

Kalbarri Wilderness Cruise: Flora and fauna from the water

During this trip it is important to set aside time to see the impact that this annual transformation has on the landscape, and sometimes the best way to do this is by stepping off land. Head down to the beachfront on Memorial Drive in Kalbarri to take one of Kalbarri’s Wilderness Scenic Cruises, where you can see the local flora and fauna in abundance from a whole new angle.

Image: Wildflowers in Western Australia – Tourism Western Australia

The Bigurda Trail: Stretch your legs on windling clifftops

This 8km trail, named after the local indigenous word for a small kangaroo, explores the winding clifftops between Eagle Gorge and Natural Bridge. You will be able to admire the views from the clifftops to the Indian Ocean and breathe in the refreshing sea breeze. While you walk keep an eye out for whales, kangaroos and of course the native wildflowers that are the focus of your journey.

Wildflower Country: Kalbarri to Penjori with local wildflowers on show

As you begin to drive inland away from the coast the journey becomes the attraction, Wildflower country runs from Moora to Dallwallina, with the towns along the route offering you history, annual wildflower shows and even artistic appreciation of the wildflowers that make the area special.

If you are travelling in September, try to stop in at the town of Mullewa for their annual Wildflower Show, and throughout the year you can stop in at the Helen Ansell Studio Art Gallery and Café in Jose Street to see local artist Helen Ansell’s magnificent work featuring wildflowers (and maybe even find something to take home as a memento of your journey).

Image: Wildflowers in Western Australia – Tourism Western Australia

Dalwallinu and the Wheatbelt Blooms: lookouts, history, and sunset granite

In the wheatbelt, wildflowers feel wilder and more open. Begin with the climb to John Forest Lookout, where the effort pays off with wide panoramic views over farmlands. Then slow down with a picnic at Camel Soak, a historic waterhole tied to early 1900s construction work connected to the Rabbit-Proof Fence. End the day at Petrudor Rocks, a massive granite outcrop that’s fantastic for a sunset dinner. When wildflower season hits, the colours around the area make the whole setting feel extra alive.

Wongan Hills and Toodyay: walks  and wildflowers

Wongan Hills is one of the best wildflower experiences in the region, with over 250 flowering species across the native vegetation that remains in the northern wheatbelt. A simple activity for the whole family is the Wongan Wildflower Walk that uses the firebreaks to loop you through a 1km track, just follow the WWW signs to follow the clockwise trail.

Then head toward Toodyay to stock up on local treats from the Toodyay Bakery (with their award-winning pies) before heading just out of town to the Wongamine Reserve to enjoy a picnic lunch before walking off your lunch using one of the many walking tracks located in this wildflower conservation site.

Image: Wildflowers in Western Australia – Tourism Western Australia

Windward Ballooning: a view from above

If you are looking to see the wildflowers from another point of view, head to Northam, a destination known for its diverse collection of tourist and heritage attractions. Amongst these is the iconic experience of seeing the area via a hot air balloon. Windward Ballooning offer balloon flights with breakfast, a perfect way to start any day!

York: Heritage Buildings and Bushland Gardens

After you have come back down to earth you can head into the Heritage Precinct of York and enjoy the collection of historic buildings that are scattered throughout Western Australia’s oldest inland town. If you have not had your fill of wildflowers for the day head to the York Bushland Gardens, a habitat for many rare and native flora with a focus on wheatbelt and southwest species.

Image: Wildflowers in Western Australia – Tourism Western Australia

Sunset at Mt Brown Lookout

One of the best ways to end any day in this region is to enjoy a meal at the Mount Brown Lookout. Just a short distance out of the town of York, this lookout is 342 meters above sea level and is a wonderful place to enjoy an evening meal in your motorhome, so why not take the short drive up to the lookout and watch the sun go down.

Breakfast at Flour Mill Café

If you are in need of a local spot for an amazing breakfast, we recommend The Flour Mill Café in Broome Street, with a menu that includes breakfast favourites it is a great stop to fuel yourself up before heading back to Perth. If the weather allows, why not enjoy your breakfast in the courtyard and admire the view of the old flour mill.

Image: Wildflowers in Western Australia – Tourism Western Australia

Tips to Enjoy Your Wildflower Journey

The most important thing to remember for this trip is it is illegal to pick wildflowers! Fines apply, so look but do not touch. Fines apply for picking wildflowers in WA, so take as many photographs as you like and fill up your camera roll and leave the flowers in the wild.

It is also important to stick to recognised paths. Wildflowers like these are fragile and are easily trampled by inconsiderate visitors straying off the recognised paths.

Also, throughout this journey you will see wildflowers from the road that are located on private property, as tempting as it may be never enter private property, stick to public reserves. Especially as wildflower season is also canola-season and the last thing that local farmers need are unwelcome visitors trampling their crops.

Finally, enjoy your trip. Over 60% of the over 12,000 wildflower species that are found in WA are unique to this area. So, take your time to admire this unique experience that can be found nowhere else on earth. Again, remember to fill up your camera roll and leave the wildflowers for the next visitor.

Image: Wildflowers in Western Australia – Tourism Western Australia

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