Western Australian wildflowers make for a spectacular display each year as they begin to bloom across the state. With over 12,000 species of WA wildflowers, this makes the state home to one of the largest collections in the world! Incredibly, an estimated 60% are not found anywhere else on earth!
It’s no wonder that wildflower enthusiasts from near and far come to explore the remarkably diverse wildflowers of WA each year.
I’ve explored the wildflower regions in Western Australia for the last 3 years in a row. This experience has gone into my ultimate local’s guide on where to see the wildflowers in Western Australia, plus insider tips for a successful wildflower viewing adventure.
Western Australia Wildflower Season
Due to the sheer size of WA, wildflower season lasts up to six months as it spreads across the State.
Western Australia wildflowers season begins in the northwest in June, spreading down to the Coral Coast and Golden Outback wheatbelt region from August.
Peak wildflower season in Perth is usually September, followed by the South West of WA and Esperance peaking in October and November.
WA wildflower season dates will vary each year depending on the amount of rainfall earlier in the year. In general, more rain earlier in the year means a bumper season for wildflowers come August.
As an example, here are some recent wildflower season WA timings (based on the wildflower bloom in Coalseam Conservation Park):
- 2021: one of the best seasons in recent years
- 2022: another good season, but the wildflowers were slightly delayed timing-wise compared to 2021. Coalseam Conservation Park was in full bloom in mid-August 2021 versus early September 2022
- 2023: wasn’t as much of a bumper season for the wildflowers, due to early rains. Peak season was pushed to mid September
26 August 2024 update: It’s a bumper season this year, with locals in the mid-west calling it one of the best seasons in the last decade!
The everlastings are have reached peak bloom in Mullewa and Morowa as at 26th August 2024, thanks to earlier rains in the season. They are currently looking their best now, and as the weather warms up they will begin to wilt. I think the next two weeks will still look good – but keep up-to-date on the local visitor centre Facebook pages for live updates (see links below).
Also, this is just for the everlastings – other flowers such as the unique wreath flower still haven’t reached full bloom. Which leads me to my next point…
I spoke to local tour guide, Elyce, from New Leaf Connect who gave some sage advice about timing your visit:
“Those who visit during the season will still see flowers. The beauty with mother nature is that she puts on a show with different flowers reaching their peak at different times so that there is always something to see.”
Wildflowers WA Season Summary:
- WA Wildflower season dates will vary each year. Generally, mid-August to mid-September is peak season and full bloom for the popular mid-west region near Perth (Coalseam Conservation Park, Mullewa, Mingenew etc).
- To stay up to date with the projected WA wildflower’s best time or full bloom forecast, you should follow the local visitor centres on Facebook. They post weekly to fortnightly updates in the lead-up to wildflower season. Check out the Mullewa Visitor Centre, Mingenew Visitor Centre and Morowa Visitor Centre.
Where to See Wildflowers in WA
The wildflowers of Western Australia are spread out across the State.
Broken down below are the main WA wildflower locations, which include the best wildflower trips from Perth. Included are types of wildflowers in Western Australia you might see in each location.
Exmouth
Exmouth is home to the stunning Cape Range National Park, where you will see a plethora of native flora and wildlife.
Some of the wildflowers in the area include the vivid red Sturt’s desert pea, acacia wattle and my personal favourite, the fluffy purple mulla mulla. Other wildflowers endemic to the area includes the Cape Range grevillea, the Yardie Creek morning glory and Cape Range kurrajong.
Several hikes in Cape Range offer wildflower spotting opportunities.
Head to Yardie Creek and take the two-kilometre Yardie Gorge trail along the gorge edge. Keep an eye out for wildflowers along the trail, as well as the resident rock wallabies!
For more wildflower trails, check out the Mandu Mandu Gorge (three-kilometre loop walking trail) and Shothole Canyon (4WD accessible only).
🌸 Best Time for Exmouth Wildflowers: June – September
To help you plan your Exmouth adventures, check out my other guides:
- Ultimate Perth to Exmouth Road Trip
- 25 Incredible Things to Do in Exmouth
- Best Whale Shark Tours in Exmouth (plus Essential Swim Tips)
Kalbarri
The best spot to see wildflowers in Kalbarri is Kalbarri National Park.
Head to the Kalbarri National Park coastal cliffs (free entry) and hike part or all of the Bigurda Trail. Common wildflowers to see along here include the Murchison Rose and bright pink Parakeelya.
A variety of native wattles are seen around Eagle Gorge, and you’ll find acacias lining the road into Pot Alley (also one of the best sunset spots in Kalbarri!).
Head to the inland gorges of Kalbarri National Park on the other side of town for more wildflower hotspots and remarkable viewpoints. National Park entry fees apply for this part of the park (currently $17 per vehicle).
We took a guided tour with Guy from D’Guy Charters. Guy has a knack for spotting native orchids we might never have seen ourselves as he guided us through the Z Bend Lookout Trail. Besides native orchids like the snail orchid, we saw vivid pink poker and a range of acacia.
We were a bit early visiting in mid-August, but come September the park will be covered with vibrant, fluffy pink bushes of verticordia monadelpha according to Guy. Guy is a wealth of information about local history and facts about the park that I hadn’t heard before.
I highly recommend his services if you’re looking for an informative and fun guide on his half-day wildflower tour that runs seasonally.
🌸 Best Time for Kalbarri Wildflowers: August – October
If you’re interested in exploring Kalbarri, make sure to read my other guides:
- 35 Ideas for the Best Things to Do in Kalbarri
- Kalbarri National Park: Complete Explorers Guide
- Kalbarri Skywalk: Your Guide for an Unforgettable Adventure
- An Epic Perth to Kalbarri Road Trip Itinerary
- Pink Lake WA: Guide to Visiting Hutt Lagoon
Jurien Bay
Lesueur National Park, found 20 minutes from the small coastal town of Jurien Bay, is a significant biodiversity hotspot. It’s thought to be home to 10% of Western Australia’s known flora alone!
Take the scenic drive through the unsealed track in park, reaching the top lookout for panoramic views across the bushy landscapes below. Take the 4km return walk trail for front row seats the range of wildflowers in bloom.
On display you’ll find banksias galore, guinea flower Hibbertia, hakeas and magenta starflowers calytrix.
🌸 Best Time for Jurien Bay Wildflowers: August – October
Mullewa, Mingenew & Coalseam Conservation Park
The mid-west wildflower town of Mingenew and Mullewa fringe one of the best wildflower spots in Western Australia – the bountiful Coalseam Conservation Park. Part of the Wildflower Country collective, I’d recommend visiting all three areas as all have a diverse range of wildflowers.
Make sure to check out my guide for a wildflower self-drive tour, with a suggested itinerary and where to stay when visiting Mullewa, Mingenew and Coalseam.
🌸 Best Time for Wildflowers: August – October
Mullewa Wildflowers
A great spot close to town is the Lovers Lane Scenic Walk, opposite Mullewa Caravan Park. On display were donkey orchids and spider orchids, and lots of pink and yellow pom pom everlastings.
You can also follow two self-drive trails starting from Mullewa. A map is available to download here or drop into the Visitor Centre.
The Northern Loop takes you through Tenindewa, which passes through the historic old settlement and school. You’ll find lots of white everlastings growing here.
The Southern Circuit will take you down to Coalseam Conservation Park, before looping back up to Pindar to see the large patch of unique wreath flowers that grow on the side of the road.
Mingenew Wildflowers
The best spots to see wildflowers near Mingenew are Mingenew Hill and Depot Hill.
Mingenew Hill is located in the town. A scenic lookout at the top of the hill provides panoramic views across the surrounding farmlands, including golden canola crops. You’ll find lots of yellow pom poms at the top of the hill, and purple fringe lilies on the driveway to the top carpark.
Depot Hill is a 15-minute west out of Mingenew town. It is a gentle walk through the reserve until you reach an old World War II Army Rifle Range stone bunker. We saw pink everlastings, lots of wattles, an abundance of cowslip orchids and other native orchids when visiting in August 2022.
Coalseam Wildflowers
Coalseam Conservation Park is one of the best spots in WA to see carpets of everlastings.
Take the 3km Plateau Loop trail hike to see fields of yellow pom poms scattered with white and pink everlastings. Camping is available within the park, with advanced bookings required through DPAW.
For more information on things to do in Coalseam, check out my Mid-West Wildflower Road Trip guide.
Morowa
Another quaint country town located a 40 minute drive from Mingenew.
Head to the Widimia walk trail on the outskirts of town to find white pom poms, pink everlastings and a variety of orchids. Other spots near Morowa include the Yalgoo-Morowa Road, just before Kadji Road and Johnson Road, east of Morowa.
Bilya Rock is another spot outside of town with a variety of orchids, fringe lilies and flowering shrubs. Bilya Rock is located on West Gutha Road, accessed from Mullewa-Morowa Road and well sign-posted.
🌸 Best Time for Morowa Wildflowers: August – October
Canna
Canna Reserve is found halfway between Morowa and Mullewa. You’ll find a good variety of everlastings here, as well as cowslip orchids, meat-eating sundews and special golden grevilia.
Canna has two camping options. Canna Hall has toilets and a hot shower for a $15 donation. Self-contained campers can head to the old canna campsite and camp among the carpets of wildflowers.
Several walk trails in Canna include the Canna Dam walk, and Canna Church walk.
🌸 Best Time for Canna Wildflowers: August – October
Perenjori
You’ll find Perenjori 30-minutes south of Morowa. Perenjori is a great place to stop for lunch or to stretch the legs.
For wildflowers, head to Orchid Ridge (Wanarra Road) to spot some wreath flowers. Other wildflower hotspots near Perenjori include the John Forrest Lookout, Mongers Lake Lookout and Camel Soak.
Check out the information centre in the middle of town which has a great map and bloom tracker.
Grab lunch and a coffee from the cafe in the centre of town. Don’t forget to check out the adorable community garden next door!
🌸 Best Time for Perenjori Wildflowers: August – October
For a unique station stay experience, you’ll find the eclectic Mellenbye Station just an hour out from Perenjori.
2024 Update: Unfortunately Mellebye Station is no longer operating – check out the nearby Melangata Station instead which offers a range of accommodation from glamping tents, unpowered camp sites and rooms in the historic homestead.
Wongan Hills
Wongan Hills is a delight for orchid lovers! Located 2 hours northeast of Perth, Wongan Hills is one of the wildflower hotspots closer to Perth.
The area is extremely diverse, home to more than 1400 species of flowering plants of which 24 species are unique to Wongan Hills!
Two wildflower walks near town are Christmas Rock and Gathercole Reserve. At Christmas Rock, we saw donkey orchids, clown orchids, lots of spider orchids, lemon-scented sun orchids and blue fairy orchids.
In town, you can also find a beautiful display of planted everlastings near the Visitors Centre at Lucinda’s Everlastings. They also sell everlasting seeds here for you to plant at home!
Mt O’Brien has a great lookout with panoramic views of rolling farmland and golden canola, situated just 10 minutes out of town.
🌸 Best Time for Wongan Hill Wildflowers: August – October
Toodyay
Head to Toodyay for an easy wildflower trip from Perth (a great day trip!).
A 1 hour 15-minute drive from Perth, Toodyay offers a range of nature reserves highlighting the region’s diverse flora and fauna.
Visit Pelham Reserve nestled above Toodyay town. If you time it right, there are carpets of pink everlastings to be found. There are 6 km of various walking tracks and signposted points explaining areas of historical interest.
Wongamine Nature Reserve is a great display of diverse flora and botany due to the convergence of the Darling Range and Wheatbelt landscapes. There are two sections to the reserve – one side is managed by the DBCA, and the more easterly side is managed by the local shire.
In August we saw lots of yellow acacias, cat paws and startling blue Leschenaultia Bilboa. Walking access is through the many fire breaks throughout the reserve on the gravelly path.
🌸 Best Time for Toodyay Wildflowers: August – October
York
York is another country town near Toodyay located in the Avon Valley Region. Whilst the golden yellow canola fields draw a lot of visitors to York, wildflowers are also abundant in the region.
Mt Brown Reserve offers a scenic lookout over the historic town below, with a plethora of wildflowers scattered across the large reserve.
Pink everlastings, native daisies, wattles and several native orchids are found in the reserve. The Mt Brown lookout is also a popular sunset spot.
Wambyn Nature Reserve is prolific with Eucalyptus Wandoo and acacia wattles. Wander through the open woodlands and keep an eye out for a variety of native orchid species, including pink fairy orchids, spider orchids and purple enamel orchids.
When exploring the historic York town, don’t miss a visit to the York Bushland Garden located on Grey St. Run entirely by passionate volunteers, the effort and care put into rehabilitating this old brickmaking clay pit is evident as you wander through the garden.
Download a plant identification guide for the York Bushland Garden here.
Everlastings can be seen in the York Bushland Garden, the information Bay along Great Southern Hwy and usually at York Olive Oil Co.
🌸 Best Time for York Wildflowers: August – October
Perth
You’ll find everlastings in Perth among the Kings Park wildflowers display during the month of September.
The annual Everlasting Kings Park Festival celebrates the diversity and beauty of Western Australia wildflowers. This wildflower festival runs for two weeks during September.
The stunning field of pink everlastings is a major drawcard for visitors, but check out the full program of workshops, tours, art displays, guided walks and other free activities during the festival.
Perth wildflower season usually peaks in September and continues into October and early November. While they aren’t a native wildlflower, the annual tulip festival at Araluen Botanic Park in September is a mesmerising display of over 170,000 tulips and a kaleidoscope of over 40,000 colours.
Other places to see other kinds of wildflowers in Perth:
- Wireless Hill, Melville
- Ellis Brook Valley, Perth Hills
- John Forrest National Park, Perth Hills
- Lesmurdie Falls, Perth Hills
🌸 Best Time for Perth Wildflowers: September – November
Margaret River Region
Margaret River is home to over 2,500 species of wildflowers, including a spectacular array of native orchids.
Wildflower hotspots in the Margaret River Region include the epic 125 km Cape to Cape hiking trail and beautiful Boranup Forest.
One of the best sections of the Cape to Cape for wildflowers is the “access for more” trail from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Sugarloaf Rock.
When hiking the trail in September 2022, we had to stop every few minutes to take photos of an abundance of native orchids!
Numerous walking trails are available in the region. An easy, scenic option is the Meelup Beach to Castle Rock trail with an array of wildflowers and a chance of quenda spotting in the bush.
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse also has several other walking trails along the coast with wildflowers and breaching whales on show around September.
A visit to Mammoth Cave will also take you through a bush trail after surfacing from the cave, where a variety of native orchids await.
Near Busselton, Ambergate Reserve offers a 4-km bush loop trail where pops of colour and more orchids lie await on the trail.
🌸 Best Time for Margaret River Wildflowers: September – November
Other Margaret River Guides:
- The Ultimate 3 Day Margaret River Itinerary
- 35 Best Things to Do in Margaret River
- Quinninup Falls: Margaret River Waterfall
- The Aquarium, Yallingup: Complete Visitors Guide
- Injidup Natural Spa: Essential Tips For Your Visit
- Best of South West WA: One Week Road Trip Itinerary
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Albany & Surrounds
Stirling Range National Park is home to over 1500 species of plants, with the infamous Bluff Knoll home to an estimated 40 species of orchids.
Stay at Stirling Range Caravan Park to explore the wildflowers scattered about the walk trails in the park. The nearby Mt Trio Bush Camp also offers guided walks for a small fee during wildflower season.
Read up here about conquering the famous Bluff Knoll hike!
Torndirrup National Park is one of the best places to explore near Albany and is most spectacular in the wildflower season. Besides the spectacular coastal scenery, you’ll find pops of colour from the coastal shrub.
The 12-kilometre Bald Head walking trail is a great option to see these further or stop in at The Gap and Natural Bridge. More details and ideas for things to do in the park in my guide Torndirrup National Park guide here.
🌸 Best Time for Wildflowers: September – November
Wildflowers Western Australia Tips
- Picking wildflowers is illegal, fines of up to $2,000 apply
- Stick to paths and designate trails where possible. Please do not sit in the wildflowers or trample through them – get creative with angles when taking photos to give the illusion of depth.
- The local visitor centres are a wealth of information and local knowledge. I recommend dropping in at each town to find the latest information on what’s blooming.
- The Western Australia Visitor Centre has released the WA Wildflower Tracker app to help connect you to recent sightings.
- Services, accommodation, and dining options may be limited in some smaller towns. Wildflower season can be the busiest time of the year for some of these places, so please be patient if service is slow.
- Don’t underestimate the driving time between places. From Perth to Coalseam Conversation Park is 5 hours one-way, for example. Try to spend at least a few nights enjoying the unique country towns or camping in designated areas in the region.
Wreath Flowers WA
The famed WA wreath flowers draw wildflower enthusiasts from across the country in pursuit of seeing this peculiar species.
Leschenaultia macrantha, or wreath leschenaultia, is endemic to inland areas of mid-west Western Australia. The name comes from the resemblance to a wreath, with bright pink, red and purple flowers commonly seen. The wreath flowers grow out of gravelly red dirt, most often just on the side of the road.
In the mid-west, it isn’t unusual to stumble across one or two wreath flowers in places, but the best place to see wreath flowers en masse is near Mullewa.
Other places to see wreath flowers include Orchid Ridge (Wanarra Road) near Perenjori and Three Springs (Bateman Road near Boundary Road) to spot some wreath flowers.
Wreath Flowers Mullewa
A hotspot of wreath flowers is found 30 km east of Mullewa, near Pindar.
As you pass the old Pindar pub building, turn left onto the unsealed Pindar-Berringarra Road (2WD suitable). Drive 8-10 km down the road until you see a sign pointing to the slipway on the left for parking.
You’ll then walk on a trail through a small patch of bush on the left back onto the main road where you will find long stretches of wreath flowers lining both sides of the road.
Wildflower Tours WA
Whilst most of these WA wildflower hotspots can be visited on a self-drive tour, it can be a lot easier jumping on an organised wildflower tour. Lots of wildflower tours leave from Perth and take anywhere from 3-10 days.
Guided walking tours can be organised for a self-drive location if you want the help and local knowledge of a guide.
Having a guide can be a big benefit as it tends to be a bit of a skill spotting the hidden native orchids that tend to hide away under rocks, bushes and fallen tree branches.
Having taken a guided walking tour with Elyce from New Leaf Connect in Mingenew and Guy from D’Guy Charters in Kalbarri, I thoroughly recommend both of these companies.
I learnt so much about the local area, the history of the region and the wildflowers themselves than I normally would on a self-guided tour.
Guided Walking Wildflower Tours
New Leaf Connect offers a full-day wildflower tour departing from Dongara. Elyce and her team will take you to the best wildflower spots in Coalseam, and other spots like Canna, Mullewa and Pindar.
We had the most delightful picnic lunch in Coalseam on our half-day tour – what a backdrop!
D’Guy Charters offers a range of tours and charter services within Kalbarri. They offer guided tours within Kalbarri National Park, as well as a longer 5-day tour departing from Perth.
As mentioned above, having Guy as our tour guide for our Z Bend Hike in Kalbarri NP was invaluable. Guy was a wealth of friendly local knowledge as well as a guru in spotting wildflowers we would have never looked for on our own!
WA Wildflowers Self Drive Itineraries
The regional tourism organisations of Western Australia have several WA wildflower trail itineraries detailed on their sites. And of course, you can read up on own my Coalseam and surrounds wildflower self-drive itinerary
Final Thoughts – West Australian Wildflowers
Chasing the wildflower season in Western Australia can be a thrilling adventure, but you do need to make sure you plan ahead to give you the best chance of spotting wildflowers.
However, the beauty of wildflowers are that there are so many different varities to be found, all with slightly differing blooming patterns. Especially if following my guide, you’ll be sure to still catch Mother Nature putting on a blooming beautiful show.
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below, and happy adventuring!
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