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Wildflowers
The best time to view Wildflowers on the Pathways to Wave Rock is from July to September.
The wildflower season is one of the Eastern Wheatbelts most precious natural treasures attracting visitors, wildflower groups and scientists annually. To appreciate these remarkable displays there are many nature reserves with walk trails within the shire.
Check out the best wildflower spots along the Pathways to Wave Rock below.
Nookaminnie Rock Nature Reserve & Rowlie Mellor Walk Trails
You will discover a large range in wildflowers throughout the year. The most abundant time to see the wildflowers are in Spring from August to October.
The most accessible and closest to amenities is located within the townsite at the Brooking Street Reserve. A short walk will reward you with a great variety of flora and you will also find at different times twelve of the pictured orchids in the small reserve.
Share your finds on the WA Visitor Centre wildflower tracker.
View the Beverley Wildflowers Brochure
Bruce Rock Wildflowers
The picturesque town of Bruce Rock contains some of the most beautiful wildflower displays in the wheatbelt. It hosts its own Wildflower Drive and contains an amphitheatre and native gardens for the viewing of flora.
Located 244 km from Perth, Bruce Rock town gardens host a variety of species from rose’s, grevillea’s and red flowered eucalypts to one of WA’s rarest species planted in the amphitheatre.
The Wildflower Drive was established in 2003 by the Bruce Rock Landcare Committee to promote conservation and tourism. The flowers on view include isopogons, tinsel flowers, gastrolobiums, spider orchids, verticordias and triggerplants. The stunning scenery also includes brilliant salmon gum – gimlet woodlands, granite outcrops, sandalwood and honey myrtle areas.
Other areas in Bruce Rock include Babakin, home of the rare underground orchid and Ardath with local nursery and heritage Hotel. Kokerbin Rock, near Shackleton, also hosts some spectacular views of the countryside and a picnic area from which to explore. The base of the granite rock is an ideal location for wildflowers and you can drive or walk to the lookout.
Corrigin Wildflower Drive
Like most rural areas, Corrigin experiences some beautiful sights during the wildflower season, which is usually in September / October every year.
The Corrigin Wildflower Drive starts opposite the Dog Cemetery, 5km west on the Brookton Highway and takes you on a well maintained gravel track to the Scenic Lookout, which overlooks the town site and wheat bins. Variety is the keynote as the plants change with soils through woodlands, thickets and shrub land.
For further information view the Corrigin Wildflower Drive brochure or call into the Corrigin Community Resource Centre at 55 Larke Crescent, Corrigin.
Hyden Wildflowers
Heading down to Wave Rock? Take the walking circuit around Wave Rock and along Hippo’s Yawn, you can catch the wildflower blooming around August and September.
Wave Rock, Hippo’s Yawn and Milks’a Cave there are more everlastings, orchids and many other small shrubs flower in spring. Out at the Humps, the interpretive panels provide a great walk over The Humps and past a population of Gungurru, (Eucalyptus caesia ssp caesia, priority 4 rare flora), spectacular with weeping branches, miniritchie bark and pink flowers in winter.
Karlgarin Wildflowers
The best spots for wildflowers are around the Karlgarin HillReserve and McCann’s Rock reserve.
Karlgarin Hills has expanses of woodlands, Gimlet (Euc salubris), Salmon gum (Euc salmonophloia), Morrel (Euc longicornis) interspersed with melaleuca thickets and rocky outcrops.
McCann’s rock has a great picnic and BBQ area surrounded by Sheoak, Acacia and many spring flowering shrub species.
Kondinin Wildflowers
With good autumn rains, spectacular wildflowers are in abundance across the Shire of Kondinin during August and October. Blankets of everlastings and a selection of orchids can be seen in many of the nature reserves.
Yeerakine Rock is only a 12km drive from the townsite of Kondinin.
Take one of the two walk trails with interpretative panels and wander through Sheoak woodland (Allocasuarina huegeliana) with Jam (Aacia acuminata), interspersed by Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) and Tee tree (Leptospermum species) which changes heading north as the landscape rises through eucalypt woodland and mallee, to tammar scrub with many spring flowering shrubs (Hibbertia, Melaleuca, Isopogon).
During August and October, some of the wildflowers to look out for include the Donkey Orchid (Diuris Corymbosa) and the Pink Candy Orchid (Caledenia) as well as the Broom Milkwort (Comesperma Scoparium). To help you identify the various species a booklet has been prepared that you can collect from the Kondinin Shire Office or the Kondinin Community Resource Centre, both located in Gordon Street, Kondinin.
Kulin Wildflowers
The South West region of WA is internationally recognised as being one of the most biodiverse areas in the world! The Kulin Shire has an abundance of wonderful wildflower reserves and roadsides which put on a spectacular seasonal show of colour.
For detailed information on wildflowers, contact Robin Campbell (Member of the Wildflower Association WA and Kulin Herbarium) via 0499 624 038.
Lake Grace Wildflowers
The wildflower season is one of the Eastern Wheatbelts most precious natural treasures attracting visitors, wildflower groups and scientists annually. To appreciate these remarkable displays there are many nature reserves with walk trails within the shire. Although some varieties start in July the season is typically from late August through to late October.
The natural bushland of the Lake Grace shire is alive with unique fruits, blossoms and foliage most times of the year. This small pocket of the state is listed as one of the 34 plant biodiversity “hotsposts” on the planet. This means, here is home to some of the most diverse and unique flora in the world. This region in particular is 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. All you need is a keen eye to spot their subtle, modest forms that are often different to the wildflowers commonly associated with Western Australia. Make the time to take a closer look – we are certain these local beauties will win you over! These species and many more are found documented in the booklet Flourish, Native Flora and Fauna of the Lake Grace Shire by Annie Slarke and Elsie Bishop. For more information on where to find wildflowers or to purchase ‘Flourish’ call into the Lake Grace Visitor Centre.
Narembeen Wildflowers
Wadderin Wildlife Sanctuary
Wadderin Wildlife Sanctuary is 400ha in size, enclosed by 11km of fence and home to reintroduced fauna both uncommon or extinct in the WA Wheatbelt. Animals such as the Red-tailed Phascogale, Brush-tailed Bettong and Malleefowl now thrive within the fence that stops burrowing animals and prevents feral species such as foxes and cats from entering the safe haven. The sanctuary is run by a local community group who undertake ongoing maintenance and improvement to the sanctuary, check the fences and work with scientists and researchers who monitor to ensure the success of the populations within the fence.
Tours
Tours are available within the fence to view the nocturnal animals. Book Online or email [email protected]
Information Centre and Walk Trail
The Wadderin Wildlife Information Centre and Walk Trails sit outside the fence, which you can visit and experience at any time. Follow the Mallee Fowl or Woylie walk trails for a gentle walk through the Eucalypt woodlands and Mallee shrublands, enjoy a picnic at the 15th Green Picnic Area and experience the bed of wildflowers that come alive in spring each year. Interpretive signs will help you identify flowers, trees, birds and if you are lucky – some of the native animals.
Hidden Hollow
Situated approximately 30kms east of Narembeen, along your Pathway to Wave Rock experience. Formally known as Mt Walker Rock, this is the perfect place for a picnic and to see many wildflowers and orchids during Spring (Sept to Dec). This granite outcrop also boasts a natural amphitheatre that has been carved out of the rock over years of weathering – it can be found walking from the car park along the trail.For the more energetic – the view from the summit offers spectacular views of the district. Take your time, read the plaques at the little dam and discover a piece of farming history.
Quairading Nature Reserve & Nookaminnie Rock
527 hectares of unique remnant vegetation where you can enjoy some of the most beautiful wildflowers the Wheatbelt has to offer. At the heart of the Reserve you will find Nookaminnie Rock, a large granite outcrop with magnificent views, a perfect platform to watch the Wheatbelt’s breathtaking sunsets. A display board at the entrance to the Reserve outlines the marked walking trails. Pick up a copy of our Nature Reserve Map from the Quairading CRC and Visitor Centre.
Toapin Weir
An easy breezy 8 kilometres north (and slightly west) of the Quairading town site. Climb to the top of the rock with the assistance railing and take in the picturesque views of the region. Toilet facilities, electric BBQ, shade and info boards can all be found in the car park. It is also a quaint, quiet overnight camping spot with immaculate skies for pristine star gazing.
