Wildflower Holiday Guide Western Australia Your holiday guide to Western Australia’s wildflowers Wildflower Guide 2009 wildflowerswa.com Couple in field of wildflowers Western Australia’s Wildflowers Mention wildflowers and most people think of Western Australia – and it’s no wonder. With up to 12,000 species found within its borders and many unique to the state, Western Australia’s wildflower season draws visitors from all over the world. The wildflower season ranks as one of Western Australia’s most Fields of these lollipop-shaped flowers in yellow, pink and white fascinating and precious natural treasures. For several months of are found in various inland areas, often along road verges. each year, wildflowers are scattered across 2.5 million square The 186,000ha Kalbarri National Park teems with wildflowers kilometres of terrain. As diverse and colourful as the locals, the and visitors can expect to see kangaroo paws, Banksias, eucalypts uniqueness and natural beauty of the wildflowers attract and Grevilleas. thousands of tourists and scientists every year. Australia’s Coral Coast is home to the pristine Shark Bay World Rain and sunshine greatly influence the timing of the wildflower Heritage Area. As well as rugged outback terrain and pure white season, causing it to span over several months and regions. In the beaches, visitors can also see a large variety of wildflowers, some north of the state, wildflowers will appear in July with early rains of which are unique to the area. Wattles, Hakeas, Dampiera, hastening their arrival. As late as November a blaze of wildflower purple peas and Shark Bay daisies are common. colour will take over the south, where the warmer weather The Pilbara, in Australia’s North West, produces yellow native produces a totally different collage of species. hibiscus, bluebells, sticky cassia, mulla mulla, native fuschias and While the north is home to many species of coastal and inland many more. wildflowers, it is best known for its everlastings. To the east is Australia’s Golden Outback with its fields of everlastings as well as Acacia, Hakea and Sturt’s desert pea. 2 Wildflower Holiday Guide 2009 | wildflowerswa.com Cowslip Orchid Grass trees and Cats Paw Purple Enamel Orchid Scarlet Banksia Bright Podolepis, Wooleen Station Australia’s South West is home to a wide While a tour of regional areas is a popular range of rare and unique flora. Dainty way of experiencing wildflowers, visitors to flowers such as orchids, milkmaids, Perth in September need only go as far as honeypots, green kangaroo paws and Kings Park in the heart of the city to view mountain bells give colour to green fields. a stunning selection. More than 150 species of orchids are known The Kings Park and Botanic Garden to inhabit the area, along with grass trees Wildflower Festival is an annual event such as Kingia australis, scented plants like which showcases the best of Western brown Boronia and more than 165 species Australia’s wildflower varieties and of eucalypts. draws more than 50,000 visitors. The south also boasts 80 species of The Park’s 400ha Botanic Garden has carnivorous plants such as the Albany more than 1,700 native species. pitcher plant. Mistletoes including the amazing Western Australian Christmas tree With warm daily temperatures around are also found here. 20°- 25°C, springtime is perfect to enjoy the incredible and unique beauty of nature Areas such as Esperance, Pemberton, in Western Australia. Denmark, Northcliffe, Albany and Margaret River, are popular wildflower areas and most celebrate the season with wildflower events. Wildflower Holiday Guide 2009 | wildflowerswa.com 3 Wildflowers near Wave Rock, Hyden The Bird Flower When and where do the Planning your holiday wildflowers bloom? This guide contains a range of suggested Most Western Australian wildflowers bloom itineraries, as well as some accommodation in late winter or early spring, from July until options. September. Some species require more Before setting out on one of the wildflower warmth for growth and therefore bloom in drives contained in this guide, it is advisable late spring during the months of October to contact the Western Australian Visitor and November. Centre (contact details on the next page) The wildflower season, beginning in the or visit wildflowerswa.com. Pilbara in July, commences slightly later as It is also worth stopping at visitor centres you head south, concluding in the southern and shire offices in towns around the regions in November. The season is subject state for additional information about to weather variations, but generally specific wildflower blooms and local wildflowers can be seen in profusion in road conditions. Western Australia from July until November. The maps in this brochure are intended Each of the trails covered in this brochure as a handy guide only. More detailed maps Please protect the flora boast unique wildflower species due to containing accurate directions, distances To conserve the native flora and fauna for variances in environmental elements such and other important information are future generations, no domestic animals are as soil type, local fauna, the broader plant available from the Western Australian permitted in national parks. The picking of system, geological structure and, most Visitor Centre, most service stations, wildflowers is prohibited by law throughout importantly, the weather. motoring organisations and visitor centres. Western Australia. Go online to see where the wildflowers are blooming Visit wildflowerswa.com to find out more information about the wildflower trails, regular wildflower updates by locals in the specific regions and other things to see and do on your wildflower holiday in Western Australia. 4 Wildflower Holiday Guide 2009 | wildflowerswa.com Contents: Pilbara Trail Perth Trail 8 Jarrahland Trail 13 Cape Range Trail Trail locations Southern Wonders Trail 19 in Western Australia Wave Rock Trail 24 Northern Explorer Trail Esperance Trail 27 Everlastings Trail Goldfields Trail 30 Granite Loop Granite Loop Trail 33 Trail Everlastings Trail 36 Goldfields Trail Northern Explorer Trail 39 Perth Wave Rock Trail Cape Range Trail 43 Esperance Trail Pilbara Trail 45 Jarrahland Trail Southern Wonders Trail Published by Western Australian Tourism Commission Australian Tourism Accreditation Western Australian (Tourism Western Australia) Visitor Centre Whilst all care is taken in the compilation, preparation and This tick could make the Corner of Forrest Place presentation of the information, data, representations, opinions difference to your stay in WA. and statements (in each case Material) which are expressly or 469 Wellington Street impliedly contained in this publication: The display of this symbol Perth, Western Australia 1. It remains the responsibility of any person reading or relying upon indicates an Accredited Free Call: 1300 361 351 the brochure to ascertain for himself or herself the correctness, Tourism Business. reliability, accuracy, and validity of any of the Material expressed or Fax: 08 9481 0190 When selecting a business with implied herein and, where necessary, appropriate or reasonable to Email: [email protected] do so, to obtain independent professional or other advice in the ‘tick’, you are entitled to expect: respect of any such Material or this brochure generally; and Website: westernaustralia.com • Professional customer service 2. Neither Tourism Western Australia nor any employee or agent International Callers: +61 8 9483 1111 thereof warrants the truth, accuracy, completeness or • Accuracy in advertising correctness of any Material expressly or impliedly contained in • Sound environmental practices this publication; and • Compliance with health and safety regulations 3. This brochure is made available on the basis that Tourism Western • An appropriately licensed and Australia nor any of its employees or agents shall be liable, in negligence or howsoever, for any loss, damage or injury: qualified operator (A) Arising from any incorrect, invalid, misleading, inaccurate, Accredited operators have a commitment incomplete, or out-of-date Material expressed or implied herein; and to professionalism and ethical conduct in Accredited Visitor (B) Incurred by any person in consequence of having relied upon any all areas of their business. You can choose Centres Material expressly or impliedly contained in this publication. an accredited operator with confidence. To get the most out of your wildflower holiday Printed February 2009. in Western Australia, speak to the experts at Main cover photo: Couple in everlasting a local Visitor Centre. Look for the blue and wildflowers near Murchison. yellow ‘i’ sign while on your travel trail. Wildflower Holiday Guide 2009 | wildflowerswa.com 5 Meelup Beach Road, near Dunsborough Experience the Wildflowers up close Walk the Bibbulmun Track Touring Suggestions 8 -DAY ‘BEST OF THE BIBB’ HIGHLIGHTS TOUR There are numerous options available for you to 14 - 21 September 2009 • Fully Guided Tour experience Western Australia’s wildflower season. • Spectacular coastal, forest and wilderness areas Coach touring, rail tours, hire cars, air packages and Bibbulmun Break Escapes • Self-guided walking & guided walking tours are featured in this guide. accommodation packages Day Walk Map Packs • Six South West locations Also featured throughout this guide are a range of accommodation options including camping grounds, chalets, hotels, farm-stays, For more info contact the Bibbulmun Track Foundation on station