Wild(flower) adventures: four trip ideas to do this spring
If you’re itching to hit the road with your bestie and escape into nature’s embrace, now is the perfect time. As the seasons shift over the next few months, from August to November, our West Aussie landscape provides a breathtaking backdrop full of vibrant blooms that are only seen in spring, and crisp, cool air, perfectly complementing our abundant sunshine. Plus, it’s Milky Way season, so you can enjoy the flowers by day and gaze up at the stars by night as you get cosy in your caravan or accommodation.
We’ve teamed up with Australia’s Golden Outback to provide you with a month-to-month guide on what to expect and how to make the most of your adventure. From the majestic mountain ranges of Mount Augustus in the Gascoyne Murchison Region in the north to the rugged coastline of Esperance in the south, be sure to add these destinations to your spring bucket list.
August
Right now is the perfect time to start in the northern part of the Golden Outback where carpets of everlastings begin to emerge in the Northern Wheatbelt around Dalwallinu. As the weather warms up, you can head further south, following the wildflower wave. Flowers are already blooming in the Murchison and Gascoyne regions around Wooleen and Murchison Station.
Consider taking the Wildflower Way, leading you from Dalwallinu through the picturesque Northern Wheatbelt towns, finishing in coastal Geraldton.
In Dalwallinu, you’ll encounter a wide variety of wattle, delicate orchids, and, if you’re lucky, the elusive wreath flower. From there, you’ll wind through locations such as Wubin, Buntine Rock, Latham, and Caron Dam before arriving in the Wheatbelt town of Perenjori. There, you can enjoy the bright orange wild pomegranate, pink native foxgloves, and many species of orchids, grevillea, acacia, purple darwinia, dampiera, thriptomene, and more.
September
As sunflower season peaks, September is a great time to hit the road. Here’s what you should explore if you’re planning a trip this month:
This trail begins in York and ends in Corrigin, offering a sensory feast with over 12,000 species of wildflowers creating a colourful sea over a 749-kilometre stretch within just five days. The trail features a stop at Wave Rock, a natural wonder that resembles a wave poised to break. It’s estimated to be around 2700 million years old.
Follow eucalyptus-lined roads and enjoy the sweet scent of wildflowers on this seven-day adventure. Along the way, the adventure also holds tales of our goldrush history, monumental mines, and has an outdoor gallery on a remote salt lake. You’ll traverse through Kalgoorlie and, in the south, explore the wildflower-laden Great Western Woodlands—the largest and healthiest intact temperate forest on Earth, supporting 20 percent of Australia’s plant species!
October
As the wildflower wave begins its southward journey, so should you.
October is the south’s time to shine. While the summer heat is a bit distant, spring on the southern outback coast is sublime, with world-renowned beaches, abundant wildflowers and migrating whales!
Consider the Esperance Wildflower Trail or the Coastal Wildflower Trail.
The Esperance Trail begins in Dryandra Woodlands, takes you through Esperance, and ends in Bremer Bay. Alternatively, the Coastal Wildflower Trail starts in Hyden (home to the ancient Wave Rock), travels through Esperance, and spits you out in Perth. Both trails promise spectacular scenery and showcase some of Western Australia’s most stunning spring wildflowers.
November
Wildflower season in WA typically winds down by late October, but in a good year, you might still catch the last bursts of colour around Esperance and the Fitzgerald Coast into early November. For this reason, we recommend exploring the Fitzgerald River National Park and Cape LeGrand National Park. Fitzgerald River National Park is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, with over 1800 species of flowering plants, including 75 species that are found nowhere else. It’s why it’s a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. At Cape Le Grand National Park, you can watch kangaroos on the beach. In addition to swimming, the park offers tours for those looking for adventure.
Are you ready to kiss Perth goodbye and say hello to eucalypt-lined roads and carpets of everlastings? There’s a plethora of more information available at the Australia’s Golden Outback website. You can visit the website here or download this year’s Wildflower Guide.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails