Every Spring, from August through to November, the south-west of Western Australia comes alive with wildflowers.
The region has been named one of the world’s 34 global biodiversity hotspots. With an estimated 8,000 plant species, including around 300 species of delicate orchids, many of which cannot be found anywhere else on earth, you will definitely want to remember your camera for this trip.
Here are our top tips to get the most out of your wildflower experience.
Some of the best wildflowers in the area can be found right on our doorstep in the Porongurup National Park and nearby Stirling Range National Park (approx. 40 mins drive). A great place to start exploring is on the numerous walk trails, plus the many small reserves throughout the region where you can discover unique wildflowers and orchids. Along the way, you may even spot orchids along the edge of the road side.
- Porongurup National Park
- Stirling Range National Park
- Twin Creeks Nature Reserve – Knights Road, Porongurup – several walk tracks available. Download map before you go.
- Mondurup Reserve – Mount Barker – Parking is available off Langdon Road, opposite the medical centre. Head through the gates, clean your shoes at the shoe cleaning station, look out for information signs and walk tracks through the reserve. Check out recent news on the Mondurup Friends Facebook Page.
- Amazing Albany has compiled a great list of places around the region to spot wildflowers.
Get the best local information
Why not pop into the local Porongurup Shop and Tearooms to pick up a trail map (gold coin donation) for one of several walks in Twin Creeks Nature Reserve. You may even find yourself chatting to a local or two, who are happy to share their knowledge or tell you about their favourite spot to look.
The Visitor Centre in Mount Barker is another great place to stop and ask the staff and volunteers for up-to-date local information and good places to look for wildflowers.
The Sleeping Lady are here to help you with any information you may need during your stay.
Guest library
For those who are keen to venture out themselves, we have a range of books at the chalet to help you identify the local flora.
New to our book collection is “Orchids of South-West Australia by Noel Hoffman, Andrew Brown and Justin Brown”. This is a must-have book for anyone who is interested in wildflowers in general and orchids in particular. There is an excellent description of each orchid in which the distinctive features of each species and information on distribution, habitat, flowering period and the common name is provided.
Wildflower tours
If you are keen to learn more, then we suggest you join one of these fantastic local wildflower tours. Not just for the enthusiast, these tours will interest and fascinate everyone. We highly recommend the following wildflower tours where you will really benefit from the local knowledge.
We are happy to arrange these tours for you to enjoy during your stay. During peak times these tours can get booked quite a way ahead, so if you are keen to book a tour just let us know.
Stirling Range Retreat have a 3-hour Hidden Treasures Orchid and Wildflower Tour, from (15 Aug – 31 October), departing daily at 9am. Expect to “See in 3 hours, what may take a lifetime to find!!!”.
