Did you know that Western Australia is home to the largest collection of wildflowers in the world? With over 12,000 species, you’re certainly spoiled for choice, and considering that more than 60 per cent are endemic to WA, there is simply nowhere else in the world that you can access such fantastic flora.
And the best time of year to take in this spectacle of colour is just around the corner. From June in the north of the state until November in the south, Western Australia’s wildflowers are on full show. And although WA’s fabled state forests, national parks and reserves may be home to a bundle of blooms, you don’t have to venture far from the city to witness the wonder of these wildflowers.
Here are our picks for the best spots to see Western Australia’s wildflowers.
Stirling Range National Park
Just near Albany on WA’s southern tip, Stirling Range National Park is famous for its astounding assortment of wildflowers, many of which can be found nowhere else in the world. In fact, Stirling Range National Park has more species of wildflowers than the entire British Isles.
Here, you can scale one of Australia’s highest peaks, Bluff Knoll, and be greeted by a scintillating panorama of the park and surrounding plains. If you’re one for bushwalking, you’ll have the opportunity to see unique birdlife, Mountain Bells, Banksias and Bush Orchids.
Kings Park
In the heart of the city lies Kings Park and Botanic Garden, an exceptional expanse of bushland and tranquil parklands that showcase a phenomenal collection of Western Australian flora. Beautifully cultivated gardens that are perfect for picnics, as well as the popular Kings Park Kiosk, Botanical Café, Fraser’s Restaurant and Aspects of Kings Park – home to a fine collection of arts, craft and design – make the park the most popular visitor destination in WA. It’s also home to 319 species of native plants and around 80 bird species, so you won’t be short of some extraordinary eye candy.
Oh, and the Annual Kings Park Festival in September is the best time to see the flowers in full bloom.
Karijini National Park
If you want to see one of Western Australia’s most spectacular natural wonders, then you must visit Karijini National Park. The park is home to seasonal wildflowers, such as Yellow-Flowering Cassias and Wattles, in the cooler months, as well as Northern Bluebells and Purple Mulla-Mullas. Once the rains have fallen, you can expect a colourful carpet of fragrant flowers. It’s also notable for its wondrous water features – including gorges, waterfalls and swimming holes, as well as the natural architectural curiosities that are the termite mounds scattered throughout the grounds. The best times to visit the park are late autumn, winter and early spring.
Kalbarri National Park
Spring is the ideal time to visit Kalbarri National Park, as this is when the grounds are bursting with brilliant blooms and breathtaking wildflowers. Over 1100 species of wildflowers can be found here, such as the famous Kalbarri Catspaw, the Kalbarri Spider Orchid, the Murchison Hammer Orchid and the Small-Petalled Beyeria, which was once thought to be extinct, but was rediscovered in 1994. Take a moderately easy walk and you’ll be met by spectacular gorges carved through red sandstone over 400 million years in the making and rugged cliffs that rise 100 metres above the ocean.
AAT Kings is offering fantastic deals to Western Australia deals, with a range of affordable holiday packages to suit you. Oh, and did we mention you can get free return flights as part of some of their deals? What better way to experience the best of WA?
