It’s that time of year again. Spring is in the air and Western Australia is alive with a spectacular display of wildflowers. The season for flower lovers has hit, and Perth and surrounding areas are covered with more than 12,000 species for your eyes and nose to soak up.
WA’s beauty can be associated with many things. Paradise beaches, plentiful sunshine hours, pockets of untouched wilderness to explore and some of the world’s greatest botanical wonders. The wildflower season begins in the state’s north early June. And as the weather warms up and the sun-filled days invite us to drift outside, it sweeps down through Perth to the south coast and lasts until the end of spring. An extended 4-month period of absolute bliss. It’s one of WA’s hottest tourist attractions. Not just on a national level either, but a worldwide magnetism that brings visitors from around the globe.
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Araluen Botanic Park
This place is simply magical and a must for all flower enthusiasts – especially extreme lovers of tulips like myself! The tulip season blooms until September 25th and the best place to get lost in their beauty is at Araluen Botanic Park (ABP). Don’t believe me?
Image: Perth Munchkin
Check out this stunning picture taken by Perth Munchkin on her last adventure there! ABP is renowned for its 59 hectares of breathtakingly beautiful gardens. It’s not just all tulips either, but a diverse range of exotic plants that will keep you wanting to explore for hours.
Add it to Your Calendar: ABP celebrates its annual Springtime Festival 19th August – 25th September when everything is in its full bloom. This is the best time to witness more than 125,000 tulips carpeting the park grounds in vivid bursts of colour. See more details about how to get there and things to do at Araluen here.
The Swan Valley
Famous for being a hotspot of wineries, restaurants and breweries, The Swan Valley is rich with wildflower species throughout the season. And it’s only a 30 min drive out of Perth city. What better way to indulge in some of the country’s tastiest wines and food, complete with a backdrop of brilliantly coloured flowers and the lush greens of the valley.
Whether you prefer to sit back with a glass of vino in one hand gazing over the blooms, or venture on some of the valley’s extensive walking trails, there’s something to enjoy for everyone.
To Do: Noble Falls Walk Trail which is home to orchids, trigger plants, verticordias, hakeas, grevilleas and petrophiles.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
In the heart of Perth lies one of WA’s ultimate settings for wildflowers – Kings Park. Perched high above Perth city overlooking the Swan River with magnificent views, Kings Park is home to the biggest display of wildflowers in the state.
Throughout the season, these beautiful parklands boast 1,7000+ native species of wildflowers and 3,000+ varieties of flora unique to WA. See more about Kings Park here.
To Do: Walk on the wild (flower) side! Bring the family and take a walk along the treetops along the Lotterywest Federation Walkway or experience the Botanic Garden Discovery Walk. Kings Park is full of free activities including guided walks, wildflower festivals and entertainment including live music.
Avon Valley
If colourful countryside drives, rolling hills and winding streams make you excited, then Avon Valley is a must in spring. Stretching from Beverly through to New Norcia and Victoria Plains, the area covers Chittering, Goomalling, Northam, Toodyay and York too – all of which provide the perfect backdrop for wildflower getaways.
Head there for a day trip from Perth or a weekend adventure, and satisfy your thirst for rich history, local attractions and the picturesque display of wildflowers.
To Do: Road trip along Traverse Talbot West Road in York which takes you through the attractive woodlands and flower displays. While you’re in York, it’s worth checking out the haunted old York hospital for a ghostly abode!
The Wheat Belt
250km east of Perth, The Wheat Belt joins in for the wildflower season with 980 species of colourful goodness. You can extend the wildflower season a little longer here, as they’re on display from July to October lapping up the rainfall. Orchids thrive in the area, as well as multiple species of acacias, eucalyptus and heathland plants. Throughout WA’s golden outback, you can experience the wildflowers in all their beauty on various walking trails and drives.
To Do: Add Wave Rock Trail to your itinerary for an lively showcase of wildflowers. The Everlastings trail will impress too, as well as the Granite Loop.
Kalbarri National Park
Explore along the Coral Coast for wildflowers that bloom all year round and head to Kalbarri National Park. Between June and October is when the magic truly amplifies. The dry sand plains transform into a colourful extravaganza during this time and native wildflowers bursting with character. Keep your eyes peeled for the Kalbarri Spider Orchid and delve deep in to the gorges and coastal cliff tops for native flora.
To Do: Take a weekend (or a week) off from the daily bustle and camp at the National Park for the supreme experience.
Rottnest Island
Head over to Rotto on the ferry, soak up and the sun and be a part of one of WA’s popular playgrounds. The island is home to the Blue Rottnest Daisy and 1,500 additional native species of pretty wildflowers. You’ll also find adorable Quokkas roaming around and attractive peacocks amidst the action. Not to mention, plenty of water sports, relaxing and exploring to achieve.
To Do: Trek along the 50km Wadjemup Bidi Trail for a scenic tour of the island’s wildflowers. The walk is split into five sections, each boasting their own display of blooms and culturally inspired landmarks along the way.
Serpentine National Park
Packed full of prettiness, adventure and relaxation, Serpentine National Park is the place to be this spring. Here, the bushland comes alive with wildflowers including red and green kangaroo paws including masses of brightly coloured orchids and blue lace flowers. Variety is at its peak and there are multiple walking trails to explore.
To Do: Drive, walk or wind through the Darling Range and head to Serpentine Dam for a swim. Along the way, you’ll bear witness to lush forests and array of stunning flora.
Author Bio
This article is written by Emma Sayce, the owner and senior florist at A Touch of Class Florist – a Perth based boutique online flower shop with a difference, sourcing only the freshest flower arrangements daily with delivery 6 days a week. You can catch A Touch of Class on Facebook and Instagram too.
8 Comments
Gorgeous spots
Thanks Julie, it’s a gorgeous time of the year.
I can’t wait to check all these spots out 🙂
It’s the most colourful time of the year.
The wheatbelt has to be my favourite but maybe that is because it is my home!
It must be beautiful at the moment. I love WA in September.
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