Whether hiking or road-tripping, few things beat the thrill of discovering a patch of colourful wildflowers in an unexpected spot. Despite the popular belief held overseas that Australia is 98 per cent arid outback (with a tiny slice of Bondi Beach thrown into the mix), Australia is actually home to the largest wildflower collection on Earth.
The bulk of the blooming happens in Western Australia, where more than 12,000 species burst to life across the state each season – 60 per cent of which are found nowhere else on Earth. But the floral magic doesn’t stop there. If you tune in with the seasons, you might also stumble upon hidden gems in regional Victoria, sunflower fields in outback Queensland and native trails just outside Sydney. You can check out all the best places to spot wildflowers across Australia here, and see our top three picks on the west coast below.
Granite Loop Wildflower Trail
Until September, the best way to see as many wildflowers in Western Australia as possible is on the three-day Wildflower Way road trip or the seven-day Granite Loop Wildflower Trail. Both journeys travel through The Wheatbelt – an expansive region north of Perth, covering 150,000-plus square kilometres. Affectionately known as ‘Wildflower Country’, the area lives up to its name with endless festoons of multicoloured flowers. Discover bright blooms at the base of Kokerbin Rock (Australia’s third-largest monolith), spot rare orchids at Bungulla Reserve, or go on a wildflower walk around the iconic Wave Rock.
Esperance Wildflower Trail
Turn your floral adventure into an epic road trip by following the eight-day Esperance Wildflower Trail. Starting in Perth and covering almost 2,000 kilometres, this journey winds through some of WA’s most biodiverse landscapes that flourish with native wildflowers from September to November. Along the way, marvel at the scrub-fringed dome of Boyagin Rock, discover rare orchids at Yilliminning Rock, follow flora-festooned trails of Peak Charles National Park and explore more than 1,800 plant species at Fitzgerald River National Park. Cap it off with a visit to Cape Le Grand National Park in Exmouth, where vibrant blooms meet sparkling white sand beaches and turquoise waters.
South West Wildflower Trail
Australia’s South West is one of only 34 biodiversity hot spots worldwide, bursting with 8,000 species of wildflowers between September and November – 80 per cent of which are found nowhere else in the world. Flower fans can tackle the breathtaking coastal Cape to Cape Track from Yallingup to Augusta, where wildflowers flourish alongside dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters, or enjoy a scenic bushwalk (and a refreshing post-hike swim) in Wellington National Park. Look out for Australian native beauties, like pink myrtle, blue leschenaultia and yellow candles.