Local experts are predicting a bumper wildflower season in Western Australia’s Golden Outback after consistent and abundant autumn rains. Visitors keen to go wildflower spotting and explore WA’s Golden Outback can be guided by six wildflower itineraries on www.roadtripcountry.com.au
With more than 12,000 species of wildflowers in Western Australia, 60 per cent of which are found nowhere else in the world, there’s never been a better time to pack the car and go exploring.
Rod Clarke from the Ballidu Bush Care at Wongan Hills says that it’s looking like the best season ever.
“There’s been excellent rainfall from Wongan up to Wubin and then out to the Goodlands Road which is where you can find wreath flowers, and out to Bonnie Rock and Balagie – it’s hard to believe but some paddocks are now lakes!” Rod says.
“The first orchids are out – winter spiders and banded greenhoods. The banksia and lots of wattles are also blooming – I think by July, the region will be awash with colourful wildflowers.”
Robyn McCarthy, Manager of the Central Wheatbelt Visitors Centre says that she’s seen extensive annual growth on the ground following good rains in March, April and May.
“With the upper stories of trees destroyed or severely damaged from Cyclone Seroja there is an increase of perennial regrowth like the Dianella or Flax plants, Flannel Bush and Mulla Mulla,” Robyn says.
“It could also be of benefit for an increase in annual wildflower growth in these affected roadside vegetation areas.
“I’ve been sent a photo of some wattle in flower at Merredin Peak – considering August is usually wattle month, it could be opportunistic flowering following good rains.
“I also observed some Acacias and Wattle starting to flower and a Pincushion Hakea.”
Wooleen Station, May 2021. Photo: Frances Pollock
Linda Vernon Executive Officer for The Wheatbelt Way in Mukinbudin says that the early rains are a positive sign for a fantastic wildflower season.
“We’re confident that it’ll be a great wildflower season in the Wheatbelt Way and we’ve had a report of a winter orchid sighting which is earlier than usual.”
Frances Pollock at Wooleen Station says rain has continued to fall evenly and consistently over many parts of the Gascoyne Murchison.
“Early indications are for a great wildflower season, and with the rain over the last couple of weeks, it will guarantee the best wildflower season we’ve seen in the Gascoyne Murchison for a few years,” says Frances.
While it’s good news for wildflowers, accommodation is filling fast with only half a dozen dates left to stay at Wooleen Station’s homestead.
There is still accommodation available in the region and at other stations south of Wooleen including Melangata (near Yalgoo), Kirkalocka (near Mount Magnet) and Mellenbye just 4.5 hours from Perth near Morowa.
There are also camping options, caravan parks, cabins, country hotels, motels, self- contained chalets, bed and breakfast, backpacker, farm stays, and more throughout the region. Visit www.
While on the road, the best source of information on where to see wildflowers is the local visitor centres throughout WA’s Golden Outback.
The WA Visitor Centre plans to launch a Wildflower Tracking App in early July that shows wildflower sightings.
For a comprehensive wildflower experience, are three wildflower exhibitions and shows in Western Australia’s Golden Outback held during the season.
In the region’s south, the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show is the world’s largest show of its kind, held from 13 to 25 September, and feature over 700 wildflowers on display from the UNESCO Fitzgerald River National Park and Ravensthorpe Ranges. Nearby, the Esperance Wildflower Show will take place from 21 to 25 September, the dates allowing enthusiasts to visit both shows.
From 29 to 31 October, the Reynoldson Reserve Wildflower Festival will take place at Wongan Hills about 180 kilometres north of Perth.
Covering over half of the ‘Wildflower State’, a road trip through WA’s Golden Outback rewards visitors with rare and magnificent sights.
For more information on road trips to wildflowers visit www.roadtripcountry.com.
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