WESTERN AUSTRALIA is home to the largest collection of wildflowers on Earth – over 12,000 species – 60% of which can’t be found anywhere else on the planet.
The flowers bloom for six months of the year, with the season making its appearance in June at the northern part of the state, before sweeping down to finish with a flurry on the south coast in November.
With over 100 national parks, many of which are renowned for their displays of wildflowers, visitors are spoiled for choice when visiting Western Australia.
Here are five of the best wildflower hotspots to snap those Insta-worthy pictures.
Pilbara Region (July – September)
Venture up to the state’s northwest region to catch vibrant floral shades contrasting against the dusty red earth and golden Spinifex grass.
The Pilbara Trail at Karijini National Park boasts of wildflowers of all colours, sizes and shapes, like the unmistakable Sturt’s desert pea, fluffy mulla mulla, the tall majestic Ashburton pea or any number of the 65 species of acacia (wattle) that can be seen throughout the region.
Gascoyne-Murchison, Golden Outback (July – September)
The spring wildflower season turns the landscape of this outback region into a blanket of vibrant colours.
In the north, iconic species such as the scarlet red Sturt’s desert pea and the royal purple mulla mulla set the undergrowth ablaze with carpets blooming at the roadside.
Now is the time to pack up and picnic among a blanket of pink, yellow and white everlastings.
Many of these species only last a month or so once they bloom, so there’s no better time than now to hit the road.
Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Site (July – September)
This World Heritage Site is regarded as one of the last great ocean paradises, and runs from Carnarvon in the south to Exmouth in the north.
Coalseam Conservation Park near Carnarvon is usually flooded with everlastings from late July to September, with everlasting carpets intertwining with purple Dampier’s pea, thriving in the red Pindan dirt.
In the Cape Range National Park near Exmouth, some 630 species of flowering plants bloom from August.
Wildflower Country of the Mid-West (August – September)
Some of the state’s most vibrant wildflowers can be found among the inland farming towns of Badgingarra, Eneabba, Coorow, Three Springs, Carnamah, Mingenew and Mullewa.
Collectively known as Wildflower Country, the area boasts of carpets of everlastings, and individual species such as purple tassels and a huge variety of orchids, during late winter and spring.
One of the best spots for photos is the 2.4km Mullewa Bushland Trail loop. Head north from Mullewa to see rare and exquisite wreath leschenaultia, which will be in full bloom from mid-September.
Around the Chapman River Park inland from Geraldton, expect to see a wide range of orchids.
Margaret River region (August – November)
Margaret River is rated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as one of the world’s most important areas for biodiversity and conservation.
Here, visitors can find over 2,500 species of wildflowers that carpet the region in vivid colours ranging from the brightest of true blue, lime green, yellow, red, pink, orange, white and mauve, just to name a few.
There are also 150 species of orchid, many of which are rare and endangered, such as the splendid spider orchid and giant donkey orchid.
The best time to marvel over these magnificent works of (natural) art is from September to November.
For more, visit the Tourism Western Australia website or Facebook page.
