Discover the wonderful wildflowers of Australia’s Golden Outback
The other week we tackled some of the Coral Coast’s stunning wildflower road trips… But that’s just the beginning of our wildflower obsession!
Australia’s Golden Outback stretches across mind-boggling expanses, reaching into some of the furthest corners of our state – from boundless red dirt to pristine blue ocean, vast, otherworldly salt flats and, of course, the windswept golden pastures from which the region gets its name.
In fact, the Golden Outback region covers a huge 54% of WA – and from July to November, it becomes the most diverse wildflower region in the world, home to over 12,000 varieties of spectacular blooms.
From quick weekend getaways to embarking on an off-the-beaten-track adventure, we’re ready to hit the road and soak up the spring splendour on a wildflower road trip!
2-Day Granite Wildflower Trail
If you only have a couple of days to explore, you can still experience some breathtaking blooms! This two day trail will take you from Perth to Merredin, via the wildflower-filled towns of Quairading and Narembeen, where you’ll find beds of everlastings, orchids and tranquil Eucalypt woodlands. Your next stop will be Bruce Rock, where you can hope to spot vibrant pink isopogons, cobalt-hued and star shaped tinsel flowers, gastrolobium, spider orchids, fluffy verticordia, triggerplants and more. Just outside of Merredin, Totadgin Conservation Park is a haven for wildflowers – as well as home to the Tatadgin Rock, a granite wave-like formation much like its famous twin in Hyden!
4 Day Wheatbelt Way Wildflower Trail
Looping over a rather satisfying 999 kilometres, this four-day itinerary covers some truly unique landmarks. En route to your first stop in Dowerin, stop in at Toodyay, where you can explore the rolling hills of Pelham Reserve – which are carpeted with colourful everlastings in spring. (Before you get to Toodyay, pass through Oak Park Reserve to spot orchids amongst granite outcrops.) From Dowerin to Minnivale, you’ll find floral displays along the Tin Dog Creek Walk Trail, also a haven for birdwatchers. Just east of Dowerin, Namelcatchem Nature Reserve is carpeted with yellow, pink and white everlastings, but you can also hope to find orchids, hakea, grevillea and verticordia dotted throughout the reserve. Further east, Koorda’s roads are lined with their floral emblem, the Koorda Rose, alongside more fluffy, pink verticordia, and vibrantly blue Dampiera.
8 Day Esperance Wildflower Trail
This epic eight day adventure will take you through some of the state’s most varied landscapes as you venture through the Wheatbelt and down to Esperance. Kick things off at the imposing granite form of Boyagin Rock – make sure to keep an eye out for numbats and Tamar wallabies while trying to spot pink petticoats, orchids and pincushions. Yilliminning Rock is a favourite for orchid-lovers, while nearby nature reserve Foxes Lair is home to 300-plus wildflower species.
As you continue east, 4WDs can explore the rolling, wildflower-filled landscapes of Frank Hann National Park and Peak Charles National Park – the latter of which boasts more than 30 species of orchids! From here, you’ll continue on to Esperance, but make sure to stop in at Ravensthorpe en route, especially during the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show (September 9-21, 2024).
After saying hello to the iconic Lucky Bay roos, Fitzgerald River National Park will be your next stop. The UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve is a world-class destination for wildflower enthusiasts, home to an impressive 1,800 spectacular plant species – from banksia and hakeas to coneflowers, starflowers, silvery smokebushes and countless orchids.
A great way to break up this epic road trip adventure by staying at one of the idyllic Heyscape tiny houses in Esperance – wake up immersed in nature ready to explore this pristine location.
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3 Day Pathways to Wave Rock Wildflower Trail
Over just three days, this trail covers 895 kilometres, and over 12,000 species of wildflowers! Hit the road and head east towards York, surrounded by nature reserves blooming with donkey orchids, everlastings, dampiera, climbing fringed lily and pygmy sundews. Continue on to Australia’s third-largest monolith, Kokerbin Rock, and its picturesque trails with views of orchids dotted amongst tea trees. After visiting the iconic 110 metre long land-locked Wave Rock, turn back towards Perth – your journey from Kulin will be along the Tin Horse Highway, dotted with quirky tin horse sculptures, before arriving at Corrigin. The town is famous for both its Dog Cemetery and its wildflowers trails. Your final stop before heading back to Perth will be at Beverley, with winter orchids, grevilleas and bottlebrushes blooming.
And remember:
Wildflowers are heavily dependent on weather conditions and rainfall and can vary seasonally. Before heading out we highly recommend you contact the relevant Visitor Centres on your journey. And finally, it’s important to keep memories only as photos on your phone! Picking of wildflowers is illegal and can attract a $2,000 fine.
Head to the Australia’s Golden Outback website or check out this year’s Wildflower Guide for even more breathtaking wildflower itineraries.
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