Western Australia is home to one of the largest wildflower collections on Earth. Sprinkled from Stirling Range National Park in the south to the Bungle Bungles in the north, the state is packed with striking hotspots where you’ll experience spectacular carpets of colour.
The wildflower season has begun and will continue until early October, adorning red dirt and verdant green with dustings of colour and abundance. Over 60% of the more than 12,000 wildflower species found in WA are unique to the area, so take this as your sign to get out and explore.
We’ve been there, done that, and nailed down the guide of where you’ll want to be going. Here are some of the best places to see wildflowers in Western Australia. All you have to do is pack the car, fill the tank, and hit the road!
Cape Range National Park, Exmouth
Cape Range National Park is where the rugged limestone range and arid coastal plain meets the sparkling pristine waters of Ningaloo Marine Park. The park covers over 50,000 hectares of land and is located in the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area.
Here, the park’s combination of tropical and desert regions results in a technicolour richness of vivid red Sturt’s desert pea, purple mulla mullas, and other widespread species such as the Cape Rage grevillea and kurrajong.
If you’re down for a little exercise, the hiking trails at Mandu Mandu Gorge, Charles Knife Canyon, and Yardie Creek are all well worth a gander for excellent wildflower viewing opportunities. While you’re at it, keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos, emus, echidnas, birds, and black-flanked rock wallabies, all of which call the park their home.
Coalseam Conservation Park
Sandwiched halfway between Mullewa and Mingenew on Coalseam Road, Coalseam Conservation Park is easily one of the best wildflower viewing spots in the Mid West — particularly between August and October. It’s famous for effervescent carpets of yellow, cream, and pink pom-pom everlastings that cover its red soil, rocky outcrops, and rugged cliff terrain.
Coalseam is not only rich in natural beauty, but history as it was the location of WA’s first mined coal deposit. Still visible among the exposed bands of coal seams, siltstone, claystone, and sandstone are 250 million years of ecological history. The park is also home to a collection of walking trails and lookouts, dotted with information detailing the native flora and fauna.
Lesueur National Park, Jurien Bay
With more than 900 species of flora, Lesueur National Park is a must for wildflower enthusiasts. It’s thought to be home to at least 10% of WA’s flora, so during wildflower season, much of the global biodiversity hotspot is enveloped with colour. Make sure you follow the 18.5 kilometre Lesueur Scenic Drive to the top of Mount Lesueur for panoramic views across the park and Green Head coastline.
Porongurup National Park
While famous for its granite peaks, Porongurup National Park is also rich in wildflowers, particularly in the spring when orchids and other native species are in bloom.
Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles)
Known and adored for its striking beehive-shaped rock formations, the Kimberley’s Purnululu National Park is also home to a range of wildflowers that bloom in the cooler months, adding a brush of colour to the dramatic landscape.
Mullewa
About 100 kilometres east of Geraldton, Mullewa is known for its mesmerising carpets of everlastings and as one of the few places in the world where the wreath flower grows. The floral richness of the region is due to the town straddling both geological and climatic transition zones, which creates diversity across varying soil types and rainfall and temperature zones.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth
Comprising 400 hectares of grassed parkland, botanical gardens, and native bushland, Kings Park is one of the world’s largest inner-city parks. There’s much to explore, with more than 3,000 species of flora unique to WA and stunning Swan River skyline views. The best time to visit is in September during the annual Everlasting Kings Park Festival when the landscape comes alive with vibrant wildflower displays.
Birgurda Trail
South of Kalbarri, the eight kilometre Birgurda Trial traces the breathtaking coastal cliff stretch between Eagle Gorge and Natural Bridge. The moderately easy trail atop the multi-coloured layers of sandstone and limestone hugs the Indian Ocean, and features steep chasms, rocky inlets, and mesmerising rock formations. Here, you’ll spot bursts of colour as wildflowers bloom and if you might even witness the migrating whales.
Kalbarri National Park
Home to the exquisite Kalbarri National Park and dramatic Coastal Cliffs, the laid back beach town of Kalbarri is a great place to visit for a little wildflower eye candy.
Traversing an impressive 186,000 hectares, Kalbarri National Park resides at the lower reaches of the Murchison River — WA’s second longest river. You’ll find a myriad of wildflowers blooming among the national park’s gorges and cliffs. While you’re there, make sure to visit the Instagram-famous Nature’s Window and Z Bend Lookout.
Shark Bay
Nestled about 800 kilometres from Perth, Shark Bay is a World Heritage Site in the Gascoyne region. The area spans approximately 23,000 square metres and is located on the most western point of Australia.
Shark Bay daisies are endemic to the region and can be found along Stella Rowley Drive and in Francois Peron National Park. Other wildflowers of the area include the Tamala rose, dune wattle, and even everlastings around Hamelin Pool.
Fitzgerald River National Park
Set between Bremer Bay and Hopetoun on the south coast of WA, Fitzgerald River National Park is one of the most biodiverse regions in Australia. The park is home to nearly 20% of WA’s plant species and is particularly renowned for its rare and endemic species.
Depot Hill
Located a snappy five minutes from Mingenew, Depot Hill is an orchid hotspot abundant in life and history. You’ll also find an abundance of cowslips and other popular species.
If you’re partial to a walk, take the bush track to discover the Army Rifle Range which was used as an army training area during World War II. You’ll even find a remaining bunker if you follow the walking trail through the reserve. Word on the street is that the other bunkers were dismantled and the stone was used for the construction of septic systems in the township.
Stirling Range National Park
Set in the Great Southern region, just a stone’s throw from Albany, Stirling Range National Park features more than 1,500 plant species, many of which are endemic. It’s also a fabulous place for wildflowers, surrounded by rugged mountains and breathtaking scenery.
Petrudor Rocks
If you’re looking for a picturesque picnic spot surrounded by wildflowers and native fauna, Petrudor Rocks is the perfect place. In season, the enormous granite outcrop dotted with water holes is peppered with pink and white everlastings. Donkey orchids, spider orchids, blue fairy orchids, and leek orchids can also be found at the top of the rocks and around the perimeter.
John Forrest Lookout
Australian explorer Sir John Forrest established his survey at the top of this hill which was later named in his honour during an expedition in 1897. If you ask us, the steep 750 metre climb to the John Forrest Lookout is well worth the leg work for the 360-degree panoramic views at the top.
You’ll be rewarded with expansive sights of surrounding farmland and station country, as well as dreamy fields of gold, pink, and white everlastings as far as the eye can see. The lookout is located about 45 minutes east of Perenjori, along Perenjori-Rothsay Road, and toilets and picnic facilities can be found at the base of the hill.
Chittering Valley
For somewhere a little closer to Perth, Chittering is a less crowded but equally spectacular wildflower destination. The area is synonymous with rolling hills, vineyards, and a variety of wildflowers during the spring months.
Camel Soak
Camel Soak, also known as “The Rock Hole,” is a man-made waterhole nestled within a granite outcrop, 47 kilometres east of Perenjori. As the name suggests, the location was once used as a water source for men and their camels during the building of the 1,827 kilometre Rabbit Proof Fence in the early 1900s.
Kangaroos and emus are regular visitors of the beautiful pools along with an abundance of birdlife, so don’t forget your binoculars! The rock formations are also home to an array of orchids, which can be found at the base of the rock. The tranquil scenery also cements the destination as a popular picnic spot, so plan ahead and bring a tasty spread.
Wave Rock, Hyden
Set in Hyden, Wave Rock and the area surrounding it is rich in wildflowers, with the season peaking from August to September. Here, you’ll experience a combination of unique rock formations and dazzling flowers.
Badgingarra National Park
Badgingarra National Park is located along the Coral Coast near the famed Jurien Bay holiday destination. While the park is less frequented than others, it sports beautiful wildflower displays, especially that of the kangaroo paw and banksia species.
Tips for visiting the wildflowers
- Remember to follow the “Leave No Trace” principles when visiting the wildflowers.
- It’s illegal to pick the wildflowers, and fines apply.
- Stick to the paths to avoid trampling the wildflowers.
- Take nothing but photos.
- Make use of the local Visitors Centres by calling ahead or dropping in. They are a wealth of knowledge and will be able to give you all the up-to-date information.
- Plan in advance as accommodation can be limited during the busy wildflower period.
- Leave it to the experts and join a wildflower tour to take the leg work out of planning your trip.
With so much incredible wildflower diversity across WA, there’s no shortage of places near and far to lap up the spectacular natural beauty. Pack your backpacks and throw on your sneakers, because the perfect time to explore is now.
