Western Australia's WiLDFLOWER COUNTRY Edition 9 www.wildflowercountry.com.au contents WELCOME TO WILDFLOWER COUNTRY Experience the raw natural beauty, discover a rich pioneering history and enjoy the slower pace of life that Western Australia’s Wildflower Country offers. Located only a few hours north of Perth, immerse yourself amongst vibrant colourful carpets of wildflowers, relax under a clear country night sky filled with stars, forget the time, wake to the sound of birds chirping, breathe in the fresh air and switch off from the hustle and bustle of city life. Wildflower Country is by far WA’s best kept secret, so join us for an unforgettably unique experience... N explore Wildflower Country! All sites are clearly sign-posted and feature an engaging and informative W E interpretive panel and uniquely designed sculpture. Following these What It s all about INTERPRETIVE self drIve routes WILDFLOWERS and LOCATIONS routes are a great way to explore ' S wildflower country! Western Australia’s Wildflower Country is Wildflower Country runs from Moora For the most up to date wildflower the collective group of nine government in the south to Dalwallinu in the east, locations and tips, be sure to contact To Yalgoo + Mt Magnet ‘pick and mix’ from the sites areas located just north of Perth in and from Mullewa in the north to Green each town's Visitor Information Centres Mullewa ...on the map or follow one drive on the Western Australia; Coorow, Dalwallinu, Head and Geraldton in the West. or visit www.wildflowercountry.com.au Tenindewa 16 way up and come home via the other. Eradu Wilroy Greater Geraldton - including Mullewa, 17 Kojarena Nature 15 Nature Reserve Moora, Morowa, Mingenew, Perenjori and There are four main ways to explore Chapel 18 Q Reserve Butterabby Geraldton 123 19 Three Springs. Wildflower Country, Wildflower Way 20 Erangy Graves Springs Tardun WILDFLOWER WAY is the most Eastern Route or the newly 21 Road 14 Ellendale Coalseam Wildflower Way runs 309km from The purpose of Wildflower Country formed The Midlands Route is the O P Pool Conservation 13 Canna Dalwallinu in the south to Geraldton in Incorporated is to promote this beautiful most central route, avoiding the main Park Tracking N Bilya Gutha Hall the North, passing through Perenjori, region as a unique and captivating highways (see opposite page). Burma Road Station 12 11 Rock tourism destination, for the collective Nature Morawa and Mullewa on the way. A Reserve M 10 War Rock mutual benefit of the entire Wildflower Both the Brand Highway and the Indian series of 21 interpretative sites have been developed to educate travellers Country region. Ocean Drive will also lead you through Depot Hill L K Morawa Mingenew 9 Bowgada as they explore the sites along the to the heart of Wildflower Country & 116 Dongara Yandanooka Nature way. Each site highlights a diverse and Wildflower Country assists with offer access to the area's wealth of J 8 Reserve collaborative destination marketing, attractions. THE fascinating range of themes and issues. * Talc Perenjori and in producing memorable & positive Mine 7 MIDLANDS Arrino I visitor experiences, as well as assisting to H ROUTE Three Springs G Caron 6 WILDFLOWER WAY develop the tourism industry within the Macpherson Dam area. Wildflower Season showcases an Homestead Carnamah F E * amazing display of colours throughout Latham 5 the region, and Wildflower Country are Waddy Forest Hall the experts! Eneabba D Coorow B C Maya 4 Community Buntine To Paynes Find Leeman Farm 3 Rocks 95 A Marchagee Wubin CONTRIBUTORS Greenhead 2 116 Dalwallinu 1 P H O T O G R A P H I C Watheroo Daniel Wilkins Photography Peter Nicholas (DPaW), Prue Johnson, Gail THE MIDLANDS ROUTE Coomberdale 95 Reed, Stewart Allen, Simone Harris, Christina Miling The Midlands Route was opened in July 2017 and Laue, Peter Waterhouse, Christie Andrews, Moora Sandie Wallace, Ellie Morris, Simon Payne, included an additional 17 sites developed along Simon Brandenburg , Carolyn Barber, Ted Jack the Midlands Road, in a triangle bound by Coorow, Walebing Mullewa and Geraldton. These sites are a further 116 95 0 20 40 60 80 100 C O V E R I M A G E celebration of life and landscapes in Wildflower Country and tell an intriguing array of stories. Map scale 1cm : 20km Merkanooka, Morawa. Credit: Simon Payne To Perth R A C H E L W A L M S L E Y M A P K E Y + R O U T E S Wildflower Photography Tips & Locations 1 : Dalwallinu Discovery Centre K : Mingenew insta: @wooolly 2 : Wubin 12 : Bilya Rock A : Marchagee L : Depot Hill 3 : Buntine Rocks 13 : Canna B : Coorow M : Tracking Station W A Y W A R D N A T I O N 4 : Maya 14 : Tardun C : Community Farm N : Burma Road Designer & Art Director 5 : Latham 15 : Wilroy Nature Reserve D : Waddy Forrest Hall O : Ellendale Pool www.waywardnation.com.au 6 : Caron Dam 16 : Mullewa E : Macpherson Homestead P : Coalseam Conservation Park insta: @wayward.nation 7 : Perenjori 17 : Tenindewa F : Carnamah Q : Butterabby Graves facebook: Wayward Nation 8 : Bowgada Nature Reserve 18 : Erangy Springs Road G : Three Springs HWY 116 : Great Northern Hwy 9 : Morawa 19 : Eradu Nature Reserve H: Talc Mine HWY 95 : Midlands Rd R O S I E D U F F Y 10 : War Rock 20 : Kojarena Chapel I : Arrino HWY 123: Geraldton - Editorial Director & Project Manager 11 : Gutha Hall 21 : Geraldton Visitor Centre J : Yandanooka Mount Magnet Road e: [email protected] 4 www.wildflowercountry.com.au www.wildflowercountry.com.au 5 SOCIAL IN WILdFLOWER COUNTRY #wildflowercountry EVENT: BLUES IN THE BUSH Share your journey exploring the stunning Wildflower Perenjori, September Country & discover other amazing adventures. Facebook: WA's Wildflower Country Instagram: @wildflowercountry the FOUR SEASONS Experience the very best of Wildflower Country by immersing yourself in one of the many exciting events throughout Head to the coastal areas of Enjoy scenic driving through the region. Full of real outback culture, Green Head & Leeman to enjoy the expansive countryside. community spirit & entertainment - a spot of snorkelling, paddling, See the farmers busily putting event information can be obtained from 4 Wheel Driving and swimming. in their crops ahead of the individual Visitor Centres, Community Be sure to keep an eye out for rain, and discover authentic Resource Centres, or Shire Offices. Visit the popular local Sea Lion! Aussie country towns. www.wildflowercountry.com.au for the most up to date event details. JANUARY JUNE OCTOBER Australia Day Celebrations Morawa RFDS Queen’s Birthday Meet Blues for the Bush, Perenjori Contact individual shires for details Mullewa Muster & Rodeo Relay for Life, Geraldton Greenough Festivals of the Foreshore, Geraldton FEBRUARY JULY Gravel Grinder, Moora Perenjori’s Virtual Rotto Swim Christmas in July, Geraldton Moora Race Day Pithara Speedway Coorow Landmark Golf Day Moora Speedway Moora Speedway Pithara Speedway Pithara Speedway MARCH AUGUST NOVEMBER Important Travel Tips! Geraldton Gold Cup Dalwallinu & Districts Agricultural Show HMAS Sydney II Commemorative Mingenew Races Irwin Polocrosse Carnival, Mingenew Service, Geraldton Moora Triathlon Morawa Art Show, Aug. 2018 (bi-ennial) Melbourne Cup Day Celebrations, Watch Wildflower Country Our stunning wildflowers are Moora Speedway Mullewa Polocrosse Carnival Geraldton come alive with the very best still in abundance, with many During heavy rain, some of the roads in Wildflower Country can Perenjori Off Road Race Mullewa Wildflower Show Moora Speedway display of wildflowers Western fantastic events to be enjoyed become unsafe & impassable. Check with Main Roads or the local Valley View Concert & Air Display Mullewa Agricultural Show Windsurfing WA’s Windsurfing Carnival, Australia has to offer! in Wildflower Country during Shire before setting out, especially during inclement weather. Perenjori & Districts Agricultural Show Green Head the spring time! https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au EASTER Pithara Speedway Green Head Arts & Craft Expo Three Springs Wildflower Show DECEMBER Mingenew Midwest Expo Annual Bed Race & Christmas Street Parts of Wildflower Country are remote & harsh, so if you plan to APRIL Festival, Moora explore, ensure you are prepared. Carry ample supplies of water ANZAC Day Celebrations SEPTEMBER Carols by Candlelight, Geraldton & fuel and always advise someone you know where you intend on Contact individual shires for details Big Sky Writers Festival, Geraldton Christmas Street Party, Coorow going. If you become stranded, always remain with your vehicle. Geraldton Boat, Caravan & Camping Show Dalwallinu Creative Arts Festival (bi-ennial) Moora Community Carols Pithara Speedway Moora Central Midlands Agricultural Show Geraldton Festival Race Day Mullewa Midwest Golden Bowls Morawa Speedway Season begins Dalwallinu Lions Street Party Throught the publication we have utilised these symbols to Moora Horse Trials Pithara Speedway Moora Speedway indicate each location's services & amenities. Moora Speedway Wattle Week Festival, Dalwallinu Mingenew Christmas Street Fair Three Springs Bowls Triples Carnival Western Desert Races, Three Springs Hospital Dump Point MAY RV Friendly Town Pharmacy / Chemist Gateway to the Northern Bowling Tournament, Leeman 6 www.wildflowercountry.com.au Country Arts WA Tour www.wildflowercountry.com.au 7 things to see and do .. W I L D L I F E At first glance, besides the obvious larger animals such as kangaroos & emus it may appear that there's not much wildlife around... That is not the case! Wildflower Country is home to various rare & endangered species that call the reserves & national parks home. Rare wildlife includes a variety of lizards, snakes, frogs & mammals. The Honey Possum is found only in the Kwongan Region (western part) of Wildflower Country, in particular the Lesueur National Park. walks + traIls Image: Camel Soak, Perenjori Birds are sometimes easier to spot & moora mingenew MORAWA Wildflower Country offers a range of Carnaby's Cockatoo Interpretive Trail Depot Hill Canna Wildflower Walk N A T I O N A L P A R K S + R E S E R V E S habitats for them to live in.