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Wildflowers in the South West

Wildflowers in the South West

Australia’s South West’s wildflowers are ecologically significant, with over 8000 species of wildflowers blooming in the region between August and November, 80 per cent of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Meanwhile, there are 300 species of delicate orchids that also grow in the South West, with many species endemic to the region.

Come and witness the explosion of colour set against the stunning natural scenery of the South West in Spring (August to November in the southern hemisphere), when the dazzling displays are at their best.

The South West Biodiversity Hotspot

Australia’s South West makes up part of Australia’s only biodiversity hotspot – and one of just 34 biodiversity hotspots around the world. Almost 80 percent of the plant species in the South West Australia bio diverse province are found nowhere else on earth. The diverse range of wildflowers, forests and native animals found in Australia’s South West all contribute to the rare and unique nature of the region.

A biodiversity hotspot acknowledges some of the richest and most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal life on Earth. To qualify as a hotspot, a region must contain at least 1,500 species of endemic vascular plants, and it must have lost at least 70 percent of its original habitat. The South West of Australia meets these two criteria. Separated from the rest of the continent by desert, the plants and animals in the hotspot have evolved in isolation for millions of years.

Please do not pick the wildflowers. The potential impact of this can be quite devastating to populations of some species that require the setting of seed for regeneration. Please help conserve our unique and wonderful wildflowers for future generations.

2284 of the 5710 native plant species in the south-west are susceptible to a soil borne plant disease known colloquially as dieback. Visitors are can prevent the spread of dieback by following some simple precautions.

  • Clean your shoes between sites
  • Avoid exploring for wildflowers for up to two days after heavy rain
  • Avoid wet soil and muddy areas by sticking to roads and tracks while on foot and in vehicles 
  • Observe signs, do not venture into closed tracks and generally promote good, hygienic practices to reduce the risk of spreading dieback
 

While dieback affects many wildflowers directly, it also impacts on vegetation that other native flowers and animals were reliant on, so it could devastate entire ecosystems into the future. Please help us prevent the spread of dieback.

Wildflower spotting

Visit between August and November to see the South West on show for wildflower season. Here’s some of our favourite places to look.

Porongurup National Park

Home to Granite Skywalk and Castle Rock, the park is renowned for its unique flora and prolific bird life.

Understory Art & Nature Trail

Discover artworks scattered like treasure in the forests of Northcliffe.

Cape to Cape Track

Multi-day walk trail 123 kilometres along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, between Yallingup and Augusta.

Wellington National Park

Two hours from Perth explore the many scenic spots to bush walk, MTB, picnic, swim, canoe, fish and camp.

Bibbulmun Track

One of the world’s great long distance walk trails, stretching 1000 kilometres from Perth to Albany.

Fitzgerald River National Park

A botanical wonderland with wildflowers, walking trails and whale watching.

Bunbury Geographe

At the end of Ocean Drive, between Usher (South Bunbury) and Dalyellup, you’ll find the Tuart Walk. Though it’s just 1.27km in length, there’s a lot you can spot along the way. Look up to marvel at the canopies of the towering Tuart trees, then avert your gaze to the sides of the bitumanised track to try spy False Baronia, Buttercup Bush, and Blue Squill.

Just a 5-minute drive away (or 20-minutes from the heart of Bunbury) is the bloom-covered Pultenaea Loop, an easy, dog-friendly 2.3km walk through the scrubland of Manea Park. Brightening up the brush, you’ll find a spattering of violet-coloured Blue Hovea and red Kangaroo Paws. There are also upwards of 30 species of native orchids growing in the park, from the more common Donkey and Cow Slip to the unique Snail orchid, named for its uncanny resemblance to the common garden snail.

Flower fans chasing a more immersive experience should make a beeline for the hills and valleys of Ferguson Valley. There, in the Crooked Brook Forest, you can spend half the day on the wildflower hunt along the 10km ‘Marri’ trail. Keep your eye out for the likes of Pink Myrtle, Blue Leschenaultia, and Yellow Candles.

Margaret River Region

The Boranup Forest in the Leeuwin-Naturalise National Park is beautiful anytime, but it’s exceptional come wildflower season. When you’re not busy looking up at the stick-straight Karri trees, keep an eye on the ground, and you’ll be rewarded with the dense, flowering Yellow Cone Bush, jasmine-like Old Man’s Beard, and the odd stick-bug-esque Forest Mantis Orchid.

Nearer to the coast, pink clusters of Coastal Pimelea and purple Fairy Fan Flowers start to appear. They’re prevalent on the 250km Cape to Cape Track, which winds its way along the capes, caves, and headlands of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, from Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste. Spend a few hours attempting just a short section, or join a multi-day guided tour along the track for more insight into the region and its flora. 

Southern Forests and Valleys

The town of Nannup is renowned for its annual floral displays. Each August, it plays host to the Nannup Flower and Garden Festival, coinciding with the start of wildflower season. After checking out the colourful tulips, head just out of town to Kondil Park, where you’ll find the aptly named ‘Wildflower Wander’. It’s a 3.1km looped trail that winds through the natural bushland of Jarrah, Marri, Sheoak, and Balga. Keep your focus on the underbrush to see an array of native orchids.

While there are blooms in the 246-ha Northcliffe Forest Park year round, the most varied display is saved for late in the year. From late September to December, electric blue Lobelias and delicate Fan Flowers line the waterways, while Spider, Helmet, and Midge Orchids sprout from the damp forest floor. Wander the park on foot to scout them out slowly, or take a mountain bike through the tracks for a higher-octane adventure.

The wildflower season in Warren National Park has a slightly later kick-off, with spots of colour appearing on the forest floor from October. Follow the 12km looped Heartbreak Trail, either by road or foot, as it meanders its way through the forest following the course of the Warren River. Marvel at the 300-year-old Marri trees, and look out for the likes of Snail, Kird, and Karri Spider Orchids, along the way.

Great Southern

Both the Stirling Range and Porongorup National Parks fall within the South West biodiversity hotspot – one of only two recognised biodiversity hotspots in Australia and 36 worldwide. 

The Stirling Range National Park is home to WA’s only significant mountain range and, as such, has some very unique flora on display. Of the 1,500 plus species of native plants in the park, more than 120 of them are unique to the Stirling Range. But, no native is more unique than the endemic Darwinia Collina – AKA, the Mountain Bell. Growing up to 1.2m in height, the endangered plant produces downward facing, bright yellow to lime-green flowers.

35-minutes away, in Porongurup National Park, sunshine-yellow Acacias and violet Hovea dominate the Marri, Karri, and Jarrah, undergrowth. Follow the 4.7km-long return trail to the summit of Castle Rock (home of the Granite Skywalk), and you’ll find Scarlet Flame Peas, Candlestick Banksias, and Native Wisteria lining the path too.

Closer to the coast, the wildflowers on display change yet again. Head towards ‘The Gap’ and the ‘Natural Bridge’ in Torndirrup National Park to see the pink, shrubby Pimilea Rosea and star-shaped Sticky Tailflower. Or, follow the limestone cliffs at Point D’Entrecasteaux and Windy Harbour for the chance at spotting a Blue Fairy or Broad-lipped Spider Orchid.

Inspiration

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Welcome to Australia’s South West!

Here you can easily enjoy natural beaches beautiful vineyards, forests, caves and more, all in a single day. More than 23,000km make up the south west corner of Western Australia, with 1000 of those kilometres consisting of awe-inspiring coastline just waiting to be explored.

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