The Wonderful World of Western Australia Wildflowers
TO EXPERIENCE ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR, DIVERSE AND UNIQUE VIEWINGS OF WILDFLOWERS IN THE WORLD RESIDENTS OF SINGAPORE NEED ONLY TAKE A FIVE- HOUR FLIGHT SOUTH TO PERTH, WHERE THEY BEGIN TO EXPLORE WESTERN AUSTRALIA, A REGION BLESSED WITH WILDFLOWERS.
One of nature’s great visual treats is a field of wildflowers. Like the sprinkles on an ice cream, they add an array of colours to the landscape, giving it a depth of beauty that has inspired great artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet and anyone who can point a camera.
WILD WESTERN AUSTRALIA
If you want to be inspired to take pictures, to paint pictures or just enjoy the captivating beauty, one of the best places in the world to experience nature’s largess is just a short flight away in Western Australia (WA). There are more wildflowers in WA than anywhere else in the world. The state is home to more than 12,000 species of wildflowers, with more than 60% of these found nowhere else in the world. They colour landscapes from coast to forest and city to outback.
When is the best time to go? As weather greatly influences the timing of the wildflower season, causing it to span over several months and regions, you can pick the best time for you to travel. Generally, wildflowers begin to appear in June in the north of the state, extending through to November in the south, depending somewhat on the weather.
The six-month flowering season begins on the vast outback plains of the Pilbara, Goldfields and Coral Coast where vibrant blooms contrast with pindan earth, rugged canyons and turquoise sea. By September, it has moved south and reached Perth’s botanical gardens, nature reserves and national parks, finishing with a flurry in October and November throughout the forests and coastal heaths of the South West. You can take in the spectacles of each region and season on many wildflower scenic drives and walking trails.
The Coral Coast
In 2019 the Coral Coast wildflower season was exceptional due to good rains and 2020 is expected to be another excellent year. It all starts on a short drive north of Perth. Australia’s Coral Coast features wildflowers all year round, however, floral displays are at their best from July to October when inland areas explode into brilliant carpets of colour. The wildflower trails of the Coral Coast lead you through some of Australia’s most breathtaking wildflower country. Blooms can be seen along the entire Coral Coast including:
Dandaragan Grass Trees National Park boasts lush pastures and abundant crops produced from fertile farming land.
The Eneabba sandplain is part of the world-renowned biodiversity hotspot, supporting native vegetation known as Kwongan - the Aboriginal word for low, hard scrub and heathland.
Mingenew is the true heart and soul of the Wildflower Country. Located close to Coalseam Conservation Park, the town abounds with natural scenery and even more importantly the locals are lovely!
Pretty In Perth
Perth is Australia’s most affordable city, and the closest gateway from Singapore, where you will find colourful blooms and blossoms in many settings. Enjoy the precious natural treasures at several sites in and around Perth from September - November. Absorb the beauty of the wildflowers along one of the many tracks and trails throughout the city.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world. It showcases an outstanding collection of Western Australian flora and is a popular place for picnics, walks and cultural and ceremonial events.
Kings Park, at 400.6h, features both cultivated gardens and untamed bushland. It overlooks the city and the silken blue waters of the Swan River. You can picnic on grassy lawns where you can enjoy the colourful view of the season’s wildflowers.
Nearly two thirds of the park is natural bushland containing 319
species of native plants and around 80 bird species. The balance of Kings Park is made up of superbly cultivated gardens and open recreational areas.
The Western Australian Botanic Garden features a scientific collection mainly of Western Australian plants displayed in an inspiring landscape. The Botanic Garden is unique as it maintains its focus on local flora, primarily because of the extraordinary diversity of WA wildflowers found nowhere else on earth.
Bold Park is even bigger than Kings Park, comprising of near-coastal dunes and ridges offering a diverse flora range. Over 1,000 species of flora and fauna have been identified in Bold Park. The 7km Bold Park Bridle Trail offers a rare opportunity to experience wilderness within Perth’s urban area.
Just over half an hour from Perth, Ellis Brook Valley Reserve is an easy way to experience one of the richest wildflower displays on the planet. The reserve is home to over 550 varieties of spring wildflowers, with walk trails to suit all abilities. They are at their best in September or October, after good winter rains.
Located in Floreat, Reabold Hill is