Wildflower Holiday Guide Western Australia 2012 Western AustrAliA is Home to tHe lArGest collection of WildfloWers on eArtH. 2 | WILDFLOWER HOLIDAY GUIDE 2012 | westernaustralia.com/wildflowers Coalseam Conservation Park, near Geraldton | 3 contents Wildflowers 4 National Parks 6 Perth Trail 8 Jarrahland Trail 14 Southern Wonders Trail 18 Wave Rock Trail 26 Esperance Trail 28 Goldfields Trail 32 Granite Loop Trail 36 Everlastings Trail 40 Northern Explorer Trail 42 Cape Range Trail 46 Pilbara Trail 48 Events 50 Travel Information 52 Visitor Centres 54 4 | WILDFLOWER HOLIDAY GUIDE 2012 | westernaustralia.com/wildflowers 1 4 7 2 5 8 3 6 9 WILDFLOWER TRAILS Western Australia is home to more than 12,000 species of wildflowers with more than 60 per cent of these found nowhere else in the world. Every year they bring a spectacle of colour and scent that needs to be experienced to be believed scattered across 2.5 million square kilometres of terrain. The wildflower season ranks as one 1) Perth Trail 4) Wave Rock Trail of Western Australia’s most fascinating Start your wildflower journey at Kings Park The Central Wheatbelt area is a wonder and precious natural treasures, attracting and Botanic Garden - one of the world’s waiting to be enjoyed. Find numerous thousands of tourists and scientists. largest inner city parks and home to flora nature reserves with walk trails, which Rain and sunshine greatly influence the from across Western Australia. are rich in flora and fauna. A highlight is one of Australia’s most extraordinary timing of the wildflower season, causing 2) Jarrahland Trail landforms - Wave Rock. it to span over several months and Be dwarfed by giant Karri trees, regions. surrounded by sun-drenched vineyards 5) Esperance Trail Generally, wildflowers will begin to appear and captivated by coastal vistas in this The drive from Perth to Esperance will in June in the north of the State, extending awe-inspiring corner of Western Australia. take you through some truly spectacular rural scenery that ends with one of through to November in the south. 3) Southern Wonders Trail Australia’s most stunning coastal regions. This guide contains a range of suggested From tall, shady trees and gently dappled itineraries. woodland areas, journey through the 6) Goldfields Trail sweeping mountain vistas of the Stirling From Perth, journey via Merredin and on and Porongurup Ranges, and down to to Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Through Eucalypt the spectacular southern coastline. woodlands and sand plains, the past is ever-present in the landscape creating WEstERN AUstRALIA WILDFLOWERS | 5 Kununurra Legend Sealed road Unsealed road Perth Broome Port Hedland Legend Karratha Sealed road Y HW Onslow AL 11 10 Unsealed road Exmouth Y COAST Perth HW W ESTERN 10 AUSTRALIA ERN Carnarvon 11 H 9 NORT Meekatharra I NDIAN OCEAN H NORT N Kalbarri 11 0 100 200 300 400 500 Geraldton 8 AT E kilometres R G 6 HW 7 Y 6 Y TRAIL KEY Goldfields Trail HW Kalgoorlie-Boulder TERN EAS GREAT 1 7 Merredin Y Perth Trail Granite Loop Trail Perth HW 4 1 ALBANY 2 Jarrahland Trail 8 Everlastings Trail Bunbury 5 3 9 Southern Wonders Trail Northern Explorer Trail HW 2 Esperance N Y 4 Wave Rock Trail 10 Cape Range Trail 0 100 200 300 400 500 3 Albany 5 11 Esperance Trail Pilbara Trail kilometres SOUTHERN OCEAN the character that is at the heartland of 10) Cape Range Trail Planning your holiday Australia’s Golden Outback. The breathtaking landscape of Cape Before setting out on one of the wildflower Range is a compelling backdrop for the drives contained in this 7) Granite Loop Trail bright, colourful and fascinating plant life guide, it is advisable to contact the local Experience the striking beauty of that proliferates in the region. visitor centre or visit massive granite outcrops that rise westernaustralia.com/wildflowers out of the landscape where an 11) Pilbara Trail abundance of natural vegetation is The Pilbara’s flora is as diverse as the When travelling, it is worth stopping at waiting to be discovered. landscape - vibrant floral shades contrast visitor centres and shire offices in towns with the dusty red earth and golden around the State for additional information 8) Everlastings Trail Spinifex grass. about specific wildflower blooms and You will enter one of the State’s most local road conditions. spectacular wildflower areas when you take this leisurely drive north. The maps in this brochure are intended Please protect the flora as a handy guide only. More detailed 9) Northern Explorer Trail To conserve the native flora and fauna maps containing accurate directions, Journey further north to experience a for future generations, domestic animals distances and other important information sensational show of wildflowers set are not permitted in national parks. The are available from most service stations, among the vast landscape. picking of wildflowers is prohibited by law motoring organisations and visitor throughout Western Australia. centres. 6 | WILDFLOWER HOLIDAY GUIDE 2012 | westernaustralia.com/wildflowers Gloucester National Park, near Pemberton NATIONAL PARKS Western Australia is blessed with 99 national parks that allow visitors to get up close to nature. Western Australia’s world-class parks system is managed by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and protects a diversity of unique landscapes, many of them renowned for their seasonal wildflower displays. DEC is the largest provider of on the environment. Information on these and retail stores and from the nature-based tourism and recreation parks can be found on the DEC website DEC website at dec.wa.gov.au/shop opportunities in Western Australia. It dec.wa.gov.au For over the phone purchases call manages more than 27 million hectares Alternatively, pick up a copy of National, 08 9219 8000. of lands and waters in national parks, marine and regional parks in Western Some national parks in the north-west conservation parks and reserves, marine Australia: a visitors guide to the state, have limited access during the summer parks and reserves, regional parks, from a visitor centre or DEC office. months; please check with the local nature reserves and State forests that Entry fees and passes visitor centre for more information. receive over 15 million visits each year. Visitor fees apply to many national Camping Whether you’re looking for adventure, parks with visitor facilities. Look out Camping is available in many parks scenery or solitude, discovering the for notifications throughout the guide throughout the state. For more natural wonders of Western Australia about where they apply. information visit dec.wa.gov.au/ can lead to some intensely rewarding If you wish to visit a number of parks you campgrounds or phone the local DEC experiences. The quality of your may want to consider purchasing a park office. Selected campgrounds from nature-based experience is enhanced pass from DEC. Passes are available at across the state are now bookable online. by informed staff as well as facilities most DEC offices, selected tourist outlets that are designed to minimise your impact Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay AUSTralia’S NATIONAL LANDSCAPES Australia is widely regarded as having an environment of unique, pristine and one of the world’s most distinct and highly diverse wilderness. rich environments. It is also home to the • Ningaloo – Shark Bay is another of world’s oldest living culture. Its people Western Australia’s spectacular natural Camping fees may apply in addition to have a lifestyle that is admired and assets, known as one of Australia’s entry fees. Entry fees are payable on sought after the world over. In recognition underwater wonderlands. the day you arrive at a park while of this, Australia’s National Landscapes, camping fees are payable for each have been identified as places of great • Kimberley, be awe-struck by the night that you stay. cultural, natural and spiritual significance. Kimberley, in Australia’s remote All fees are used by DEC to assist Discover Australia’s National north-west corner. Take part in conservation and park management, Landscapes, a spectacular collection this enduring epic, of rugged rock including the improvement of visitor of nature’s finest work. With only 15 structures, colossal waterways and services and facilities. landscapes nationally, Western Australia incandescent ocean. is home to three iconic locations within Contact details: For further information about these this exclusive list of ‘must see’ nature The Atrium, 168 St Georges Terrace destinations or the national landscapes destinations of Australia. Perth WA 6000 please visit australia.com/nl Tel: 08 6467 5000 • Great South West Edge stretches from the tuart forest north of Busselton, E R N V M E along the coastline to Cape Arid and O N G T E O H F T W Esperance – an area that is home to A E I S L T A E R R N A U S T 8 | WILDFLOWER HOLIDAY GUIDE 2012 | westernaustralia.com/wildflowers The Western Australian Visitor Centre “Many Australian artists have made us visually aware of the vastness of 55 William St., Perth landscape, the light and colours of (the old Qantas Travel Centre) the country, but there are also many surprises and pleasures to be found St. Georges Tce. in the intricate structure of Australian plants and their vibrant colouring. If William my paintings make people stop for a moment to look, enjoy and wonder, then I have succeeded.” Meryl Bell Open St. 7 Exquisite gifts from Western Australia. Days a Week By a Western Australian Artist. Central Park Kings Park wildflower tram tour, something every flower lover will enjoy! Hay St. Mall Hay St. Tram Tours operate everyday throughout Spring Wesley Daily Departures from Kings Park Wadjuk Carpark Church Live informative driver commentary Thank you for your support.