Where to see wildflowers in Australia's Golden Outback

For a strictly limited season you can view the world’s largest collection of wildflowers each spring in Australia’s Golden Outback and with the best rains in over a decade the 2018 wildflower season is just extraordinary!

Please Note: During wildflower season which typically runs from mid/late July to November, this wildflower page is regularly updated with wildflower information so be sure to check back regularly. This page was last updated on 8 October 2018. 

Wildflowers are seasonal and exact varieties are dependent on prevailing weather and climatic conditions.

Gascoyne Murchison

This area is also famous for Mount Augustus, Australia’s largest rock, twice the size of Uluru. To travel this region get a copy of the Gascoyne-Murchison Outback Pathways with three magnificent self drive routes.

What's now blooming around the Gascoyne and Murchison

• Murchison Settlement and along Mullewa-Carnarvon Road to Murchison Settlement - Carpets of everlastings are at their peak right now, and you’ll be able to also see yellow billy buttons. There are great shows on the Mullewa-Carnarvon Road (see photo below) and the Beringarra-Pindar Road. Some eremophillas are blooming and more will flower as the weather warms. Wattles are blooming everywhere, as are the sennas (cassias) and eriostemons and scavoelas.   Last updated 17 August 2018.
   
• Wooleen Station - Everlastings are now starting to flower (will be at their peak in about 1-2 weeks time). Also blooming at Wooleen are eremophilas, acacias, sidas, cassias and bachelor buttons, and you can find these along Wooleen's self drive routes and walking trails. Last updated 26 July 2018

• Mount Augustus - wildflowers are in their early stages and should be perfect in around 2-3 weeks weeks with mulla mulla, everlastings and batchelor buttons on the Mount and surrounds. Last updated 20 July 2018.

• Cue - eromophilias, bush tomatoes are flowering everywhere!  The very rare flora eromophilia rostrata subs rostrata is also blooming and also everlastings. Some of the best places to see wildflowers around Cue is just west of Cue (near Austin Downs) and along the roadside verge to Walga Rock.  Make sure you call into the Cue Community Resource Centre for the latest wildflower updates and directions.  Last updated 4 September 2018.

• Between Paynes Find and Cue - wildflowers now appearing along roadside verges between Paynes Find and Cue. Last updated 7 August  2018.

• Pindar - the wreath flowers approx 12kms north of Pindar are looking spectacular and now's the perfect time to view them (see photo below).  Last updated 26 August 2018.

• Near Mellenbye Station - the bush land off the side of the road from the border between Morawa and Yalgoo on the Morawa Yalgoo Road, heading north through Mellenbye station is very thick with mostly white and pink everlastings. The entrance and drive into Mellenbye is covered in white everlastings (see photo below). While they are in full bloom now there are plenty still coming. Wreath flowers on the station are still very young, and will start blooming in approximately 4 weeks time. Last updated 20 August 2018.

• Coalseam Conservation Park (approx 54 kms south of Mullewa) - 'Carpets' of everlastings now in bloom! (see photo below) Last updated 22 August 2018.

Wheatbelt

From mid August the flowers start to bloom further south in the Wheatbelt. Make sure you visit the northern towns of Morawa, Perenjori, Moora, Dalwallinu, Wubin and Wongan Hills for their great displays. The Central Wheatbelt, North East Wheatbelt (Wheatbelt Way) and towns along the Pathways to Wave Rock trail and Southern Wheatbelt also have extensive wildflowers and self drive itineraries can be found here. 

What's now blooming around the Wheatbelt

North East Wheatbelt / Wheatbelt Way

• Dowerin - at Tin Dog Creek Reserve there’s an array of birdlife and flora. When travelling to Wyalkatchem, Namelcatchem Reserve on 3 corners of Minnivale-Cunderdin intersection is alive with colour, before exploring Historic Minnivale townsite and cemetery. Grevilleas, don-key orchids, verticordia and isopgons are interspersed with everlastings. Last updated 8 October 2018.

• Wyalkatchem - has some great flowering reserves, including Walk-A-Wyal Trail, Wy-alkatchem Reserve and Korrelocking Reserve. Find rare orchids, sundew, everlastings and fauna including Echidnas, Dunnarts, Blue Breasted & Red-Capped Robins. Last updated 8 October 2018.

• Trayning - Billycatting Reserve - explore the two marked walk trails. White flowered sun-dews (Drosera sp.) insect eating plants at the damp base of the rocks. The gnamma holes lo-cated north of Trayning on Bencubbin Road have orchids including spiders, donkeys and fairy. Kidd Road carpets pink and pompom everlastings. Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Nungarin - for carpets of pink everlastings explore Eaglestone Rock , Talgomine Reserve and Danberrin Hill botanical walks and smell the fragrant Vanilla Bush (Grevillea sp.) and Kunzea pulchella splashing vivid colours of red. Visit Mangowine Homestead while in the area. Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Westonia to Elachbutting Rock - see the spectacular ‘wave rock’ formation and Monty’s Pass, orchids , wattles, brachyscome ciliocarpa, white pom poms (see photo below), senna, grevilleas and hakeas are in full bloom. Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Bencubbin - plenty of wattles (Acacia) bursting out in brilliant yellow blooms. The Shire of Mt Marshall has some pityrodias (native foxgloves) on Mukinbudin-Bencubbin Road. At Marshall Rock wander the walk trails with spectacular views. Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Mukinbudin to Bonnie Rock - see wattle, senna, hakea, quandongs and some purple dampiera. On and around the rocks at Wattoning, Beringbooding and Weira, purple calytrix, yellow hibbertia and red flowering kunzea. Beringbooding Rock located 72kms north east of Mukinbudin finds the pink tea tree, Acacia’s, Grevillea’s Hakea’s, Calothamnus, Eromophila, Cassia, Quandongs, Sandalwood and the native orchids all in flower.  
  Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Beacon & Billiburning - orchids including spider and fairy can be found around the granites. Grevillia, Hakea, Eremophila, and many more species in bloom. Rare and endangered Sand paper wattle can be seen in the Beacon Botanical Park and at Billiburning. A 600 species Herbarium can be studied at the Beacon Visitor Centre (Mon-Fri).  Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Koorda - very colourful tall dark mauve Verticordia sp. on roadsides close to Koorda. Call into the Koorda Community Resource Centre (Mon-Fri) for locations and view the wildflower interpretation display. Wander the walk trails of Koorda Native Flora Reserve or Mollerin Reserve. At Newcarlbeon Rocks enjoy a picnic or camp out amongst Wheatbelt bushland. Last updated 8 October  2018.

 

A sea of white Pom Pom Heads ? . . . #PomPomHead #PomPomFlower #PomPom #WhitePomPom #CephalipterumDrummondii #WildFlowers #Mukinbudin #WheatbeltLocal #GoldenOutback #ThisIsWA #LoveTheOutdoors #NatureWeLove

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Central Wheatbelt

• Quairading - Quairading Nature Reserve located 3kms west of town has is a lovely spot to explore, donkey orchids blooming. Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Merredin - Tamma Parkland, bottlebrush, sundews, wattle and Hibbertia flowering in bushland. Totadgin Conservation Park, located 14km south on the Road to Bruce Rock, has wattle, damperia, sundews, bottlebrush some everlastings in bloom. The Merredin Chandler Road 25km north of Merredin wattle, everlasting & pompom everlastings in bloom. Merredin Peak wattle, damperia, sundews, few donkey orchids, everlastings out in bloom. Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Kellerberrin - Kellerberrin Hill offers great views over the town and is a lovely wildflower spot in season. Follow the flowers along the Trayning/Bencubbin Road to Durokoppin Reserve. This 1500 acre reserve of woodland, heath and mallee supports a wide variety of flora and fauna. Discover tea trees, wattle and grevillea amongst a colourful array of species. Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Tammin - Charles Gardner Reserve, an area of 600 hectares of natural vegetation 14kms south of Tammin. It contains a wide variety of wildflowers and understorey, some of which are unique to the region. Yorkrakine Rock situated 26kms north of Tammin is a solid granite outcrop. A strip of native flora surrounds the outcrops which is one of the largest of its kind in WA.  Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Cunderdin - Cunderdin Hill offers great views over town a variety of wildflowers. Bulgin Rock reserve 18kms east of town is a great spot for a picnic and wildflower exploring. Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Westonia - The Shire of Westonia has bloomed to life with dashes of colour. Spider Orchid, Ant Orchid, Hooded Orchid, Blue & White fairy orchid, Donkey orchids have been spotted. Just outside the entrance to the Caravan Park, along Wolfram street towards the cemetery. Starting from Westonia townsite, wander the walk trail through tall Red Morrell Eucalyptus Woodland of the Westonia Common. Sandford Rocks Spider Or-chid, Ant Orchid, Hooded Orchid, Blue & White fairy orchid, Donkey orchids and everlastings . Boodarockin Road & Stoneman Road  verge carpets of everlastings.  Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Southern Cross - Grab a copy of the Yilgarn wildflower brochure and follow the wildflower drive throughout the Yilgarn shire. The Great Eastern Highway between Southern Cross and Coolgardie is in bloom with Hakea, Grevillea and wattle out in force. Last updated 8 October 2018.

Southern Wheatbelt

• Kukerin - Duggan Dam is a lovely picnic spot and great place to view wildflowers in season (see photo below). Blooming now are hakeas, orchids, wattles. Last updated 23 August 2018.
   
• Narrogin - Our Wildflower expert at Narrogin says the 2018 wildflower season is exceptional in the Narrogin district. Wildflowers in this area differ vastly from their northern cousins, in that they have mixed flower displays of many species. There are 240 flowering species in Foxes Lair Reserve alone, with about 6 orchid species flowering now.   At Foxes Lair there are many species and great variation in flower types and with 3 picnic areas, now’s the time to visit and enjoy the flowers.   At Highbury Reserve you'll see a fabulous display of stark white spider orchids in September, and much more. Yilliminning Rock is a great place to climb and view orchids in September, but also wonderful display of kwongan wildflowers verticordias hakeas in late September/early October. Harrismith Reserve is a well-known wildflower mecca blooming from September to October. New walk Candy Block Dryandra Kwongan Walk has a great display of flowering kwongan shrubs and flowers (hakea dryandra petrophile Isopogon Lambertia) particularly in October. Biodiversity guides for wildflower walks are available at the Dryandra Country Visitor Centre, so make sure you call in to grab your copy. Last updated 23 August 2018.
   
• Dumbelyung - Many types of orchids now starting to bloom around the reserves (see photo below). For the latest wildflower updates and locations, see the Shire of Dumbleyung website.  Last updated 10 September 2018.

Northern Wheatbelt / Wildflower Way

• Wongan Hills - Our expert over at Wongan Hills says the 2018 wildflower season is one of best in over 10 years! Wongan Hills is renowned for its many species of wildflowers and unusual orchids. Piawaning Road which takes you to Mt O’Brien has many types of flowers blooming, and you’ll also see Grevilleas along the roadside. Grevilleas are also out at Mt O’Brien and also Christmas Rock (Spider Orchids and Blue Fairy Orchids are now out at Christmas Rock, plus you can now see a small patch of everlastings along the trail). There are many types of Hakeas flowering along Airport Road, close to town and myrtles and wattles are making a lovely display at the Wongan Wildflower Walk at the top of Quinlan Street. Small patches of everlastings out of town, off the railway tracks towards Ballidu.  Reynoldson Reserve has many types of Grevilleas now blooming, and the verticordias will be ready by mid-October, and will continue to bloom until December. Some of the more rarer orchids expected in October include Shirt, Purple Enamel, Custard, Leopard and Little Laughing Leek.  For the latest wildflower updates and directions, call into the Wongan Hills Visitor Centre where friendly volunteers will guide you to the areas best viewing spots. Last updated 29 August 2018.                       
  
  Wongan Hill Events: Reynoldson Reserve, just 29km north of Wongan Hills, will hold its Reynoldson Reserve Festival from 26-28 October and should put on a great display of verticordias. On the Saturday there will be market stalls, vintage car display, wildflower display, bus tours to Reynoldson Reserve, Devonshire Teas, photography workshop and our celebrity guest, gardening guru, Sabrina Hahn. For further updates contact 9671 1973 or call into the Wongan Hills Visitor Centre. 

• Dalwallinu - Saturday 1 September was day out for some of the staff from Dalwallinu Visitor Centre to view the wildflowers . The wattles have been putting on a stunning display and now with the mass of brilliant blue dampiera, purple keraudrenia & bright yellow hibbertias joining in the show it makes for a pretty drive when you are out exploring. The native foxgloves won’t be far off with their gorgeous hot pink flowers. Would recommend you view the orchids now before the warmer weather comes in. Last updated 3 September 2018.

• At Mia Moon Reserve (approx. 7kms north of Dalwallinu) turn left onto Nugadong West Road, (sign currently missing but also signposted airstrip). Turn left at the Wubin-Gunyidi intersection and travel a few further km’s to the reserve. On the right hand side of the drive as you come in the entrance just off the track into the bush are still good numbers of pink candy & spider orchids, plus a few blue fairy orchids remaining. As you drive into the main reserve the blue dampiera combined with the yellow and white pom, pom everlastings are looking lovely & vibrant. Places to look for more orchids include a walk around the edge of the granite rock back towards the road & gnamma hole, particularly in amongst the pincushion plants where there are stacks of leek & bee orchids plus some sun orchids. Well into the bush opposite the turnaround circle are quite a few spider & donkey. Many trigger plants in bud through here and the bright orange/red/yellow waitzias are adding further colour. Further west from Mia Moon on the Wubin-Gunyidi Rd (few hundred metres) and opposite the old Mia Moon school site is another flat granite rock. Places to explore here include the eastern and western ends of the rock under the tree line and in amongst the pincushions for spider, donkey, sun orchids and the last of the blue fairy. Under the bush at the southern edge of the rock there are still some snails remaining and the cowslip orchids are just starting to bloom with more to come. The opposite side of the road in the bush around the old school site is also worth a look.

• At Petrudor Rocks (near Dalwallinu) - this popular picnic spot is looking really pretty with vibrant pops of pink everlastings throughout the bush on the track in and native foxgloves to come. There is water in the natural rock pool and up the top of the rock. There are many spider & leek orchids, with donkey and sun orchids also plus the odd late blue fairy still about. The white candle flowers and blue narrow leaved squill flowers have started. Walk to the very top of the rock and some of the best places to look for orchids are in amongst the pincushion plants at either side of the rock hole. 
  Last updated 3 September 2018.
   
• Xantippe Tank (Dalwallinu-Kalannie Road) – still some blue fairy, lots of leek & donkey orchids, plus sun & small numbers of ant and cowslip orchids found here. There is a lot of the dainty blue boronia in flower now. Last updated 3 September 2018.
   
• Wubin - Jibberding Reserve (rest stop on Great Northern Hwy, 25kms from Wubin) - still quite nice with a snow like coverage of white everlastings and cream pom poms however the pink are starting to fade out and droop a little now. Last updated 3 September 2018.
• Wreath Lechenaultia - you can see approx a dozen small plants on Wubin East Road, a couple with a few flowers but probably still another week or so & even then, there are better displays further north – Perenjori being the next closest currently flowering. Last updated 3 September 2018.
   
• Buntine Rocks - (3kms from town of Buntine) - accessible for 4WD or AWD with decent clearance as the track in is not in good condition. Flowering now are ant, cowslip & donkey orchids, on track up to rock and in bush around the rock. Masses of sun orchids in amongst pincushions opposite clearing area on the east side. Small colourful patches of everlastings also. Last updated 3 September 2018.
   
• Perenjori - Orchids now flowering at Camel Soak and Caron Dam. Wreath flowers are forming, but not yet flowering and should be stunning in late August/early September. When in the area, make sure you call into the Perenjori Tourist & Museum and speak with local experts who will advise you on directions to the best locations. Open Monday to Friday from 9am - 4pm | Saturday & Sunday - 9am - 1pm. Last updated 21 August 2018.
   
• Morawa - see 'carpets' of everlastings at Koolanooka Springs (about 20 mins east of Morawa, see photo below). Last updated 27 August 2018.

Pathways to Wave Rock

• Kwolyin - Kwolyin Reserve take a walk around the campsite where orchids, flowering annuals and sandalwoods surround the camp. Kokerbin Rock 9kms north of Kwolyin campsite is well worth a visit to during wildflower season.  Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Bruce Rock - at Bruce’s Rock there are orchids and sundews out along the reserve. Jura Wildflower Drive Starts at Quarry Road 2km north of town. Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Narembeen - Snail Orchids, Spider Orchids, Donkey Orchids, Sugar Orchids and Clown Orchids and many flowering shrubs out in the reserves around Narembeen. Everlastings just starting. Boria, boronia, verticordia, drosora along the Merredin - Narembeen Road in the large bush reserves. Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Corrigin - The Corrigin Wildflower Drive starts opposite the Dog Cemetery, 5kms west on the Brookton Highway and takes you on a well maintained gravel track to the Scenic Lookout, which overlooks the townsite and wheatbins. If you want to know about the best local spots, call into the Corrigin CRC and pick-up a Wildflower Drive brochure or visit the website. Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Kondinin/Karlgarin - Yeerakine Rock (located on Sloan Road 12kms from Kondinin) has orchids out now and more to come. Some of the wildflowers to look out for include the Donkey Orchid, Pink Candy Orchid as well as the Broom Milkwort. Bendering and North Karlgarin Reserves are starting to flower, you will see Acacia, hakeas, grevilleas, phebalium. Head towards Narembeen, turn east on Bendering Road East then north on Whyte Road will take you through middle of Bendering Reserve and North Karlgarin Reserve, turn south on Karlgarin Hills North Rd to come back to the Kondinin-Hyden Road. Notting Road is always a pretty drive instead of the bitumen. Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Hyden/Wave Rock - Follow the walk trails around Wave Rock where the bush is starting to bloom. The Hippo’s Yawn loop takes you through bushland where you will see wattle, Hakea, Grevillea, Bottlebrush and numerous orchid species. Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Kulin - Hopkins Nature Reserve is an extremely important flora conservation area. North Jitarning Nature Reserve is perfect to walk through and experience many different vegetation areas. The macrocarpa walk located 1kms west of Kulin and you can you can view the macrocarpa along the trail. Last updated 8 October 2018.
   
• Lake Grace - known for its western mallee, noted biologically for its diverse range of flora and high number of indigenous plant groups, including Grevillea, Hakea, Eucalypts and Acacia. Within the reserves and roadsides of the shire you will find these and many other beautiful flowering plants and trees. Last updated 10 September 2018.

Esperance and Fitzgerald Coast

From September through October it’s peak season for the southern outback coast. Areas such as the Fitzgerald River National Park with its royal hakea and the national parks around Esperance will bloom.

What's now blooming around Esperance and Cape Le Grand National Park

Esperance Anglican Wildflower Show  is running daily from 18-22 September (corner of Windich and Andrew Street), showcasing over 500 local species. For more information see the brochure and Facebook EsperanceAnglicanWildflowerShow

Esperance - while the 'carpets' of everlastings don't grow around Esperance (preferring inland arid habitats), the coastal sandplain around Esperance and Cape Le Grand comes alive each springtime, extending into mallee-shrub land as you go north; with lots of different environmental niches in both, like the granite outcrops and the saltlakes, with their own suit of species. In Esperance it always pays to stop and search, you will see splashes of colour driving along but will miss the small species like the orchids and boronias.

What's now blooming around Hopetoun/Ravensthorpe and Fitzgerald Coast

Wildflower season has started early in the Fitzgerald Coast region and the 2018 wildflower season is going to be magnificent! 

Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show and Spring Festival - The Fitzgerald Coast comes alive during the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show and Spring Festival, running from 10-22 September where you can view over 600 specimens on display.  For more information see #ravywildflowers and Facebook RavensthorpeWildflowerShow

• Banksia coccinea (Scarlet Banksias) in full bloom in Hopetoun and still opening. Should be perfect for the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show and Spring Festival running in Ravensthorpe from 10-22 September 2018.
   
• The ever beautiful Qualup Bells Pimelia physodes (see photo below) are cranking up now and can be seen from Barrens Lookout and along Hamersley Drive.
   
• Blue Hakea (Hakea lehmanniana) flowering around West River on South Coast Hwy.
   
• Flat leaf Wattle (Acacia glaucoptera) flowering and can be seen alongside the Ravensthorpe-Hopetoun Road. Donkey Orchids just starting and generally just look closely for them.
   
• Tallerack (Eucalyptus pleurocarpa) are showing off their silvery seed pods and foliage. You can see these along the Hopetoun - Ravensthorpe Road and the South Coast Hwy.
• Dampieras are just starting and everyone loves their spectacular blue flowers visibale along Horner Road/Jerdacuttup Road.
   
• Cockies Tongues (Templetonia retusa) are having a second flowering for the season and are just gorgeous brick red. You can see these along the Hopetoun-Ravensthorpe Road and in the Fitzgerald River National Park.
   
• Barrens Claw Flower (Callothamnus validus, see photo below) endemic to the Fitzgerald River National Park is now blooming, as are many species of Eucalyptus many species and the Cauliflower Hakea (Hakea corymbosa).
   
• If you are lucky you may find the very elusive Queen of Sheba Orchid (Caladenia speciosa, see photo below). 
   
• Qualup Bells Pimelia physodes are really starting to put on an impressive display at Barrens Lookout in the Fitzgerald River National Park.

• Calothamnus validus (Barrens Claw Flower) endemic to the Fitzgerald river National Park -good viewing at Barrens Lookout.

• Scarlet Banksias (Banksia coccinea) is now flowering now along Pardalote Way Dunns Swamp near Hopetoun.
   
• Blue Hakea (Hakea lehmanniana) flowering around West River.

• Donkey Orchids are just opening now and will go on for a few weeks yet along roadsides in disturbed areas.
   
• Hakea corymbosa (Cauliflower Hakea) just starting to flower at West River (Ravensthorpe - Hopetoun), are a little later than the 2017 season, and will still be going for a while yet (see image below).

• Jerdacuttup Road is bursting into flower with Dampiera's, Acacias, Red Lechenaultias. You will need to hunt for orchids (please park your vehicle carefully).

• Billardiera corriacea is another on to stop and have a look for on the sides of roadsides and reserves. A special twining semi climbing plant with bell shaped white to purplish flowers shaped like a Correa.
   
• Chamelaucium megapetalum our local Wax flower and the name says it all mega! For mega flowers Dunns Swamp road and Pardolote roads near Hopetoun is the place to visit.
   
• Banksia speciosa (Showy Banksia) flowers most of the year and seen as you get close to the coast on the road to Hopetoun along Hamersley Drive and reserves.
   
• Daviesia Ouch Bush flowering and is looking spectacular (see photo below) and you can see at Ravensthorpe Range, Ethel Daw Drive and Hopetoun Ravensthorpe Road. Last updated 28 August 2018.

Goldfields

Renowned for its majestic eucalypt woodlands, vast salt plains and gold rush history, traditionally from mid August wildflowers around the Goldfields start blooming but some are starting now.

What's now blooming around the Goldfields

• Wiluna - Senna and wattles are now starting to bloom and mulla mulla, solanum and a few other flowers will start flowering in about 3-4 weeks time. If you are visiting Wiluna around mid-September, make sure you head to Red Hill Lookout (approx 1-2 kilometres south of town), a great spot to see the blooms. Sturt's desert pea are a little more rare, but can be found along Wongawol Road / Gunbarrel Highway and the Goldfields Highway from late September-October. You'll also be able to spot grevillea along the Wiluna-Sandstone Road (dirt track) come mid-October. Last updated 17 August 2018.
   
• Norseman - A few flowers now starting to bloom along the Granite Woodlands Discovery Trail (Norseman to Hyden Road). Around Norseman wattle and hop bush now blooming.  Approximately 28kms east of Norseman heading towards Fraser Range Station, a small patch of Sturt Peas flowering. Last updated 11 September 2018.