Looking for your next floral paradise to elevate your Instagram game during your next adventure? The wildflower season in Western Australia is calling! From inner-city parks to forest and bushland, and across coastal and outback plains, carpets of radiant wildflowers create a feast for the senses. With over 12,000 species of wildflowers in bloom—more than half of which are found nowhere else on Earth—Western Australia boasts the largest collection of wildflowers in the world.
Stretching from June to November, this natural phenomenon sweeps across the state, beginning in the north and flowing down to the stunning southern coastline. These wildflowers can be experienced through a variety of incredible self-drive adventures, staying at an outback station, exploring with a tour operator, or attending otherworldly events. Wondering where to start? Here are five must-visit destinations to witness the magical wonders of Western Australia.
1. Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Look no further than one of Perth’s most popular inner-city parks! Recently named the top attraction in Australia by the 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, the Kings Park and Botanic Garden, known as Kaarta Koomba to the local Noongar people, is a floral haven that boasts natural bushland and diverse gardens.
Perth’s Kings Park is home to more than 3,000 wildflower species, with many bursting into colour during the month of September. Free guided walks of Kings Park and Botanic Garden are offered by Kings Park Volunteer Guides twice daily throughout the year and during the wildflower season.
2. Cape to Cape Track
Just a 3-hour drive south from Perth, the Margaret River region is a space where wildflowers mingle with world-class vines. Running along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge on Western Australia’s southwest coast, the Cape to Cape Track offers an unforgettable floral panorama for nature lovers. From Wattle, Hardenbergia, Chroizema, to Verticordia, this magnificent walking trail offers a breathtaking walk with some of the most stunning wildflowers.
Explore its diverse offerings on a tour with Luxury and Margaret River Discovery Tours, or indulge in specialized wildflower exploration with Luxury Outback Tours, AAT Kings, Aussie Redback Tours and Casey Australia Tours.
3. Kalbarri National Park
From July to October, witness hundreds of varieties of West Australian flora transform the outback into a sea of colours when its 800 native species, including River Gums, Banksias, Grevilleas, and Starflowers, bloom. Whether it’s near or far, Kalbarri National Park is a feast for your senses.
Catch the magnificent view 100 metres above ground from the Kalbarri Skywalk, which perches over the rim of the Murchison River Gorge. Closer to the coast, Kalbarri Adventure Tours operates wildflower walking tours to Kalbarri National Park across the months of winter and spring.
4. Stirling Range National Park
In WA’s South West region lies the magnificent Stirling Range National Park, also known as Koi Kyeunu-ruff to the Noongar people. The range stretches across 65km of untamed wilderness, and is home to more than 1000 species of wildflowers – many of which can’t be found anywhere else on the planet.
Some of the highlights include elegant mountain bells, magenta Queen of Sheba orchids, and the distinctive Stirling Range banksia. The Stirling Range National Park is a mecca for sightseers, flora lovers, bushwalkers, trekkers and rock climbers.
5. Cape Le Grand National Park
Just half an hour’s drive east from Esperance in WA’s Golden Outback region brings you to one of Australia’s most pristine coastal wilderness areas, Cape Le Grand National Park, home to the white sands of Lucky Bay.
In spring, Cape Le Grand National Park bursts into colour as wildflowers bloom, including groves of Banksia, Qualup Belle, Sepulcralis and a range of wild orchids. This park’s wild coastal scenery, rugged granite peaks, and sweeping heathlands offer a visual treat for nature enthusiasts.
Plan Your Wildflower Trip
Now that you’ve explored the hotspots for wildflower-watching, it’s time to unleash your inner wanderer on a free, self-guided adventure. Wildflowers begin to blossom in June across the North West, Coral Coast, and Golden Outback, with peak viewing from September to November in Perth and the South West. Make the most of your trip with the nature’s calendar:
- South West: September – November
- Coral Coast: June – October
- North West: June – September
- Perth: September – November
- Golden Outback: June – November
To elevate your wildflower venture, plan a visit to the EverNow Festival. This celebration of Kambarang, symbolizing the “Season of Birth” or “Wildflower Season” for the Noongar people, is set to take place from 3rd to 7th October 2024. The week-long event not only showcases the diverse flora in Western Australia, but also highlights the variety of landscapes and cultures. This year, EverNow features three significant outdoor experiences, all free of charge:
Song Circle
- Location: Burswood Park
- Date: 3rd Oct to 6th Oct
- Time: 5:30pm – 9pm
Surround yourself with a symphony of music, dance and light as singers and instrumentalists present in the Noongar language. This enchanting performance invites you to be inspired by and dwell in the joyful celebration of the rich native culture and heritage.
From The Light Flow: Bena Koorliny
- Location: Burswood Park
- Date: 3rd Oct to 6th Oct
- Time: 7pm – 10pm
Celebrate the biodiversity of the Derbari Yerrigan/Swan River through a dazzling display of light, fire and live performances by Groupe F, international sky theatre masters recognized for their extraordinary productions of sky theatre and explosive light shows.
Boorna Waanginv: The Trees Speak
- Location: Kings Park
- Date: 4th Oct to 7th Oct
- Time: 7pm – 10.30pm
Explore the majestic park as it transforms into a canvas of high-tech projections, animation, sound, and song. This immersive experience brings to life the stories of regrowth and renewal during the Kambarang season.
For more information on EverNow 2024, please visit: https://www.evernow.com.au/
