Outback Wildflowers

Between July and October each year, Western Australia’s wildflowers transform the Golden Outback into both a kaleidoscope of colour and the world’s biggest wildflower show.

Bursting into life with the first signs of sun after winter, WA’s wildflowers carpet the state in bright and beautiful blooms, all the way from the red dirt of the Gascoyne-Murchison and the Goldfields to the white sand beaches of Esperance.

Home to over 12,000 different varieties - most of which aren’t found anywhere else in the world - Western Australian wildflowers have reached legendary status, and for good reason. In fact, this biodiversity hotspot is full of wonderfully rare flowers that attract people from all over, from the iconic Western Australian wreath flowers in the Wheatbelt to the Queen of Sheba orchid and the bizarre-looking Royal Hakea.

Wildflowers are heavily dependent on weather conditions and rainfall and can vary seasonally. Before heading out we highly recommend you contact the relevant Visitor Centres on your journey.

When’s the best time to see wildflowers in WA?

While you might be lucky enough to catch the first glimpse of wildflowers in the northern-most tips of the region from early July, wildflower season in WA usually starts around mid-late July and slowly moves south through the state, ending in late October/early November.

Subject to seasonal changes, rainfall and the weather, wildflower season can vary year by year, but this monthly overview is a good base to get you started.

For early predictions and up-to-date information on how the season’s shaping up, follow Australia’s Golden Outback on Facebook and Instagram. You can also check out our Wildflower Hotspots page, which is updated every wildflower season. We always recommend you contact the relevant Visitor Centres for wildflower updates before you head out on your journey.

JULY
On a good year, you’ll start to see hints of colour and Australian desert flowers in the Gascoyne-Murchison and the northern Goldfields from late-July, though the wildflowers don’t usually reach their peak up here until August. Consider the Road to the Rock trip or Everlastings Wildflower Trail to experience the best of this region.

AUGUST
Getting into August, the wildflower wave starts slowly making its way south. This is prime time to see the wildflowers in the Gascoyne-Murchison, while the Goldfields and the northern Wheatbelt are beginning to bloom, with the carpets of everlastings starting to emerge. You might even get lucky and see the famous wreath flower, Western Australia’s beautiful yet elusive roadside wonder. Consider the Granite Loop Wildflower Trail or Wildflower Way.

SEPTEMBER
The middle of WA’s wildflower season is the best time to go road-tripping and exploring. By September, the wildflowers in the Wheatbelt are usually here, there and everywhere - and canola too. The Goldfields should also be in full flower (season dependent), while south of Perth, wildflower season is kicking off too, reaching Esperance and spreading east and west along the Fitzgerald Coast and the Nullarbor. Consider the Wave Rock Wildflower Trail or Wheatbelt & Goldfields Wildflower Trail.

OCTOBER
September to October is the south’s time to shine. While the summer heat still feels a little way off, spring on the southern outback coast is paradise, with endless white-sand beaches, (slightly) fewer crowds, wildflowers galore - and even migrating whales! Esperance’s wildflower season coincides with the tail end of whale watching season too - in case you needed another reason to venture down there this spring. Consider the Esperance Wildflower Trail or the Coastal Wildflower Trail.

NOVEMBER
Gently fading into that good night - or, in this case, the soon-to-be-summer days - wildflower season in WA usually peters out around late October, but on a good year, you might be able to catch the last glimpses of colour around Esperance and the Fitzgerald Coast until early November. Perfect timing to explore Fitzgerald River National Park and Cape LeGrand National Park.

Wildflower Road Trips

A wildflower road trip is the perfect way to experience the seasonal spectacle, with most of WA’s wildflower hotspots accessible by 2WD - however, you might want to check with the local Visitor Centre beforehand, just in case.

To see the best of the best you’ll want to stay at least one night too - wildflower country is also dark sky country, and wildflower season is also the Milkyway season, so you can see the most amazing flowers by day and stellar stars by night.

The best way to experience both is by camping, with some amazing sites along popular routes, but if you really don’t feel like roughing it, towns and stations along the way have tourist accommodation too - just be sure to book ahead as it can get very popular.

For more inspiration and insights, check out our Outback Wildflower Trails. Ranging from short overnights to 10-day explorations, these are designed to hit all the best seasonal spots across the Golden Outback. However, these do change year on year, so we recommend to give the local visitor centres a call beforehand to check what’s blooming.

Wildflowers in the Golden Outback

You can also check out our other wildflower pages where you can learn all about wildflower season in Western Australia all year-round:
• Wildflower Hotspots gives you an regularly updated hit list of what flowers are blooming where
• Where to See Wildflowers delves in deep about the best places to see wildflowers in the Golden Outback.
• Outback Wildflower Trails has all your wildflower road trip and tour itineraries and info