Western Australian Wildflowers: Where To See Them + FREE Map With Hotspots
Western Australian wildflowers are among the most unique on Earth. There’s 12,000 species in this region alone, and 60% of which are found nowhere else on the planet!
And after road-tripping the state for 5+ years, we’ve been lucky to see the spectacular wildflowers bloom several times. So we have LOTS of tips to share with you below.
We’ll share the best time to go (it varies by year), the best places to see them, and some things to know before going wildflower spotting.
Best time to see the wildflowers in Western Australia
June to October is usually the best time to see them, with September generally being the peak season. The north of Western Australia blooms before the south.
That said, there are a few factors influencing the wildflower season:
- Overall temperatures and rainfall. Rainfall timing and temperature changes can make the wildflowers bloom earlier or later. Earlier rains usually lead to peak wildflower season in August instead of September.
- Specific location. The season begins in June-July in the north and moves southwards, peaking in the wildflower country between August and September. By September-October, the southern regions are in full bloom.
So, this means that the peak season of last year may be different than this year’s.
The good news is that Western Australia is absolutely massive, so you can either go up or down the state to chase the wildflowers blooming!
Do some research a few weeks before your trip to know the specific spots where the flowers will be in full bloom.
The Western Australia guide
Western Australia in your pocket
- 400+ spots pinned and mapped in the app
- 15+ done-for-you itineraries (2WD and 4WD)
- Your whole trip in one place and available offline
Best places to see wildflowers in Western Australia
The best places to see wildflowers in WA are often national parks (and there are over 100!). Here are some of our favourites:
1) Wildflower Country (Wildflower Way)
Peak blooming period: August to October
Best spots: Coalseam Conservation Park, Coorow, Mullewa, Mingenew, Morawa
Wildflower Country is a group of 11 areas, 2-hours north of Perth – Carnamah, Coorow, Dalwallinu, Dandaragan, Greater Geraldton, Mullewa, Moora, Morawa, Mingenew, Perenjori, and Three Springs.
These towns literally burst into colour during the wildflower season and come alive with cute cafes and places to stay.
You’ll also see some unique species, like the stunning wreath flowers!
Coalseam Conservation Park is one of the biggest wildflower hotspots in the region, and it’s found here – just a short 40-minute drive from Mullewa.
Wildlflower country has heaps of walking trails to see the wildflower displays, and 2 self-drive routes – Wildflower Way and Midlands Route, each taking you through different areas of the region.
2) Kalbarri
Peak blooming period: July-August to October
Best spots: Kalbarri National Park, Eagle Gorge, Bigurda Trail
Kalbarri is a great place in WA to see the wildflowers, particularly in Kalbarri National Park. Nature’s Window and the Z-Bend are pretty special spots to see them.
The peak of wildflower season in Kalbarri is also the best time to visit this area, as temperatures are perfect for outdoor activities.
It’s a 6-hour drive from Perth, though. So we recommend turning it into a 4-5-day road trip! Here’s our recommended itinerary if you’re keen.
But it’s also during the school holidays, so make sure to book any accommodation and tours as soon as you can. Here is our list of accommodation recommendations in Kalbarri.
3) Jurien Bay and surroundings
Peak blooming period: August to October
Best spots: Lesueur National Park, Nambung National Park
Jurien Bay is a beautiful coastal town 2.5 hours north of Perth. It’s famous for its beautiful marine park (with resident sea lions!), among other things.
It’s also a 20-minute drive from Lesueur National Park, which offers one of the best wildflower displays in the entire region.
A variety of wildflowers to marvel upon in Western Australia!
Take the 18km scenic drive (no 4WD needed) to explore this stunning area, stop from time to time to take some pictures, and keep your eyes peeled for the variety of wildlife that resides there!
Another option is Nambung National Park, a 40-minute drive south of Jurien Bay. It has the famous Pinnacles Desert, so imagine the contrast between the yellow sand and the colourful wildflowers… It’s absolutely mindblowing.
4) Perth and surroundings
Peak blooming period: September to November
Best spots: Kings Park, Perth Hills, John Forrest National Park, Serpentine Falls, Avon Valley
You don’t have to travel for hours to enjoy the wildflower season! Just hop on a bus and go straight to Kings Park.
It’s in the heart of the city and it’s home to the Western Australian Botanic Garden – one of the best places to see wildflowers in Western Australia.
The Perth Hills are another great place to see wildflowers, in townships like Mundaring, Kalamunda and Armadale.
You can also take fun day trips from Perth to places like Serpentine Falls, Toodyay, Avon Valley, and Wongan Hills to see the flowers in bloom.
There are lots of wildflower trails and routes you can drive yourself on around Perth and nearby areas. You’ll always have somewhere new to discover!
5) Exmouth
Peak blooming period: June to September
Best spots: Shothole Canyon, Mandu Mandu Gorge, Yardie Creek
Here’s where the wildflower season starts, all the way north in Exmouth. This coastal town is a 13-hour drive or 2-hour flight from Perth. If you have the time, it’s the road trip of a lifetime!
Cape Range National Park is the best place to see the wildflowers in Exmouth, particularly in:
- Shothole Canyon (if you have a 4WD)
Mandu Mandu Gorge
Yardie Creek
The contrast between the Indian Ocean, the rugged landscape of the park, and the colourful wildflowers is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Exmouth is a bucket-list destination and epic for road tripping. Here’s the full itinerary we recommend!
6) Wheatbelt and Goldfields
Peak blooming period: August to October
Best spots: Hyden, York, Wongan Hills, Kalgoorlie, Coolgardie
The Wheatbelt region is a large agricultural area east of Perth, famous for its wildflower displays. The best spots to see these flowers include Hyden, York, and Wongan Hills.
The Goldfields are further inland, northeast of the Wheatbelt. The region is known for its rich history of gold mining, but it’s also a hotspot for wildflowers! The main towns to see them are Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie.
Wave Rock is an epic weekend escape from Perth! Check our recommended itinerary here.
7) Margaret River Region
Peak blooming period: September to November
Best spots: Boranup Forest, Cape to Cape track, Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
The Margaret River Region is pretty much everything from Busselton (a 2.5-hour drive south from Perth) to Augusta.
It’s famous for its world-class wineries, top-notch surfing, ancient caves, and beautiful forests and trails, perfect for wildflower spotting!
The Boranup Forest near Pemberton takes the cake, though. Its towering karri trees provide a stark contrast with the colourful wildflowers. Drive along and enjoy the views!
Another great spot is anywhere in the Cape to Cape Track. It’s a 135km track between Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. You don’t have to walk all of it, but it’s worth hiking some sections!
The coastal scenery is stunning, and the diversity of flowers you’ll see along the way is unparalleled. Plus, you might spot some migrating whales if you’re there in the right season.
Keen on road tripping from Perth to Pemberton? Here’s the full itinerary we recommend!
8) The South West
- Peak blooming period: September to November
- Best spots: Esperance, Albany, Fitzgerald River National Park
Outside the Margaret River region, the Southwest is teeming with spots where the wildflower display is just spectacular.
Granite Skywalk, Albany 
Frenchman’s Peak, Esperance
Esperance is one of the best spots, particularly Cape Le Grand National Park.
This park is famous for its stunning coastal scenery, pristine beaches, and friendly kangaroos. But it also offers a stunning display of wildflowers!
Fitzgerald River National Park is another excellent spot, recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It’s one of the most botanically significant places in Australia, and it’s at a short driving distance from the incredible Bremer Bay.
There are also two awesome spots at driving distance from Albany – Porongurup National Park and Stirling Range National Park. The first is famous for its lush forests while the second is known for its rugged peaks. You can’t go wrong with either one.
You can visit all these spots in a southwest road trip! Here’s the itinerary, tips, and a free map
The Western Australia guide
Western Australia in your pocket
- 400+ spots pinned and mapped in the app
- 15+ done-for-you itineraries (2WD and 4WD)
- Your whole trip in one place and available offline
WA Wildflower Festivals and Events
Western Australia’s wildflower season is celebrated with various festivals and events that highlight the incredible biodiversity and beauty of the region’s flora.
Here are the most popular ones. Keep an eye out for them if you’re planning a trip to catch the wildflower season:
Check the latest details of each event before planning your trip around them, their specific dates can change from year to year.
1) Kings Park Festival, in Perth
Held in September, the Kings Park Festival is one of the most well-known wildflower events in WA.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden host a month-long celebration with guided walks, workshops, and stunning displays of wildflowers.
It’s an excellent opportunity to see a wide array of WA’s native wildflowers without leaving the city.
Exact dates and more info here!
2) Mullewa Outback Bloom Wildflower Festival
This festival is set in Wildflower Country and showcases the extraordinary diversity and beauty of Western Australia’s wildflowers.
The best part is that, apart from seeing the thousands of bloom arrays, the festival is an opportunity to dive into the local culture through art exhibitions, Indigenous performances, and community markets.
Exact dates and more info here!
3) Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show
This is similar to Mullewa’s Festival but in the Southwest, in Ravensthorpe.
It’s held annually in this town to celebrate the region’s variety of wildflowers, with over 1,000 species, many of which are endemic – they cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.
Apart from exhibiting the vast array of wildflowers, educators provide insights into the conservation efforts and ecological significance of the native flora through guided tours and expert talks.
Exact dates and more info here!
4) Esperance Wildflower Festival
This festival showcases the incredible diversity of wildflowers that flourish in the region, all against the backdrop of Esperance, known for its pristine beaches and stunning natural landscapes.
With over 100 species of native plants, many of which are endemic to the area, the festival offers a feast for the eyes while teaching visitors about the importance of conservation and the ecological roles these plants play.
Exact dates and more info here!
Do’s and don’ts of wildflower watching
As much as we enjoy the beauty of wildflowers, we must remember it’s our responsibility to protect and preserve them for the future.
Make sure to follow these tips to ensure you won’t harm the wildflower population:
Don’t pick wildflowers. It’s not allowed to pick wildflowers in Western Australia. You face a fine of $2,000 if caught.
Clean your shoes and equipment beforehand. You may be carrying Phytophthora Dieback, a devastating pathogen that rottens the root of wildflower plants and it’s extremely hard to eradicate.
Leave no trace. Leave the outdoors better than you found them! Dispose of waste properly and respect wildlife.
FREE Map with the best wildflower hotspots
This interactive map was created by the Western Australia Visitor Centre. It has all the wildflower hotspots in the region so you can easily plan your trip!
Top Tips
Western Australia is a massive state, but thankfully there are a few ways you can travel from one spot to the other.
Most cities and towns have airports, so you can hop on a plane and be wherever you want in a jiffy. We love booking our flights with Trip.com because it finds the cheapest flights and the price graph is better than Google Flights’ in our opinion.
We strongly recommend you rent a car, though. Either in the airport you land on, or in Perth and make a road trip out of your wildflower trip.
It’s just easier to get around, plus you won’t have to worry about following a schedule.
Our favourite car rental is Discover Cars. You can rent pretty much any vehicle, including 4WDs and luxury cars, plus the filters make it extremely easy to choose.
Another solid option is Booking’s car rental feature!
FAQs
What is the best time to see wildflowers in WA?
The best time to see wildflowers in Western Australia is in August-September, but you can see them anywhere between July to October.
What wildflowers are native to Western Australia?
There are over 6,000 species of wildflowers that are native to Western Australia. Common examples include banksias, waxflowers, hakeas, kangaroo paws, and some species of orchids.
What is the famous flower in Western Australia?
The Kangaroo Paw is the most famous flower in Western Australia, although many popular wildflowers only grow here.
It has a unique shape and stunning red and green colours. It’s the floral emblem of the state and it’s even part of the Coat of Arms of Western Australia!
Ready to go wildflower spotting? Grab this first!
Any trip is easier to do when someone else has done the planning for you!
So we built our Western Australia Guide to make travelling around it stupid easy:
- 18+ done-for-you itineraries
- 400+ places pinned across the state
- Filters like “dog-friendly”, “snorkelling”, “camping” and more!
- Offline access available, a must if you’re road tripping WA
This is how the guide looks:
Our Essential Travel Toolkit
🤩 Wise Card – Online bank to hold money in different currencies worldwide and lowest fees in the market! (FREE debit card here)
🤩 Trip.com – Consistently great accommodation and hotel deals.
🤩 Hostelworld – Looking for the cheapest accommodation? We especially love the “book now, pay later” feature.
🤩 Discovercars.com – Best range, super easy to compare prices rental car and motorhome prices.
🤩 Viator.com – Easily book tours and experiences at the lowest rate. Great selection all over Australia.
🤩 Tripadvisor.com – Other than our website…😉 the best place to find things to do
🤩 Airalo – eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travelers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).
🤩 Caravan RV Camping – Traveling Australia in a van, caravan or bus? This is the best place to get all your gear.
