4 spectacular wildflower road trips in Western Australia

Rachael ThompsonBy Rachael Thompson
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A smorgasbord of colour is on display right now, and a road trip is the best way to see it.

Western Australia is home to some truly spectacular landscapes, which become even more breathtaking during wildflower season. More than 12,000 species bloom across the state in the second half of the year – 60 per cent of them found nowhere else on Earth. The floral display begins in the north and gradually moves south, transforming the landscape into a kaleidoscope of colour.

Below, four vibrant road trips that showcase a tapestry of seasonal wildflowers and quiet, heritage-rich country towns. 

Wildflower Way

Best time to visit: August–September.

Pink wildflowers in Morawa Western Australia
A blanket of pink wildflowers in Morawa. (Photo: Tourism Western Australia)

One of the most vibrant wildflower trails in Australia is the 309-kilometre Wildflower Way, which takes you from Dalwallinu through to Geraldton, passing through small towns including Morawa, Mullewa and Perenjori. Across three days, the trail will reveal a mesmerising floral display of everlastings, rare wreath flowers, golden wattles, orchids, scenic granite outcrops, peaceful farming towns, historic rail sites, quirky sculptures and beautifully preserved churches. There are 21 sign‑posted, interpretive sites to guide and offer fascinating insights into the land’s biodiversity, geology and culture.

Granite Loop Wildflower Trail

Best time to visit: September–November

Pink wildflowers in western australia
Toodyay is a popular first stop. (Photo: Tourism Western Australia)

This whimsical 7‑day road trip loops around approximately 843 kilometres of seasonal wildflowers, geological sites and charming heritage towns. On display are vibrant everlastings, donkey and snail orchids and tinsel lilies, all painting the landscape in a dazzling patchwork of colour. But wildflowers aren’t the only spectacular natural wonders along the way – Beringbooding Rock, with its Indigenous rock art, and Elachbutting Rock, often called Wave Rock’s lesser-known sibling, are also highlights on the route.

Esperance Wildflower Trail

Best time to visit: September–November

White wildflowers next to the beach in Esperance
White wildflowers blooming at Rossiter Bay, located in Cape Le Grand National Park. (Photo: Tourism Western Australia)

This spectacular coastal wildflower trail is more of a flexible scenic route offering a showstopping combination of vibrant wildflowers, pristine beaches and native bushland.  A popular driving route stretches across about 200–300 kilometres with key stops including Cape Le Grand National Park, Pink Lake (Lake Hillier), West Cape Howe National Park, and Fitzgerald River National Park, which display Australian bluebells, lambertia, Dryandra, and fringe lilies. 

South West Wildflower Trail

Best time to visit: August–November

Pincushion Hakea flower in bloom
Pincushion Hakea in bloom. (Photo: Tourism Western Australia)

The South West Wildflower Trail winds through scenic national parks, coastal cliffs and rich farmland. A common route from Perth takes you through diverse landscapes with key stops including Dwellingup, Collie, Donnybrook, Pemberton, Walpole, Denmark, Albany and Stirling Range National Park. Among towering Jarrah trees and dramatic coastlines, you’ll spot blankets of pea flowers, kangaroo paw, donkey orchids and eschenaultia. Keep your eyes peeled for emus, echidnas and kangaroos along the way. 

To know before you go

Before you head out on your road trip, there are certain rules you should follow:

  • Always keep to marked trails when viewing to avoid damaging small flowers and delicate wildflower environments.
  • Don’t take anything but photos when out and about viewing – picking wildflowers is illegal and can land you a $2000 fine.
  • Do not enter private property to view.
  • Many wildflower routes go through remote areas, so ensuring you’re stocked up on food, water and fuel is a must.
  • Stay out of farming crops and pastures.
Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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Your Mandurah guide: art, dining & dolphins await in WA’s coastal gem

    Monique CeccatoBy Monique Ceccato
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    Discover the perfect road trip stopover between Perth and wine country.

    Western Australia punches above its weight when it comes to coastal hot spots, but no other town or city has seen a tourism boom quite like Mandurah. Named Australia’s Top Tourism Town in 2023 , it’s the relaxed, beachside break you’ve been searching for. And it’s perfectly placed, sitting between Margaret River and Perth, as it’s just a 55-minute drive from Perth’s CBD. Which is why we’ve put together your ultimate Mandurah guide.

    Aerial view of Mandurah.
    Plan your perfect coastal escape to Australia’s Top Tourism Town of 2023.

    The best things to do in Mandurah

    Wetlands and rivers, ocean and inlet; Mandurah’s laid-back lifestyle centres around the aquatic. Its waterways cover twice the ground of Sydney Harbour – measuring some 134 square kilometres in total – and form a unique environment for oceanic and estuarine flora and fauna to thrive.

    In the city’s estuary lives perhaps the region’s most famed inhabitants – a resident pod of 100 bottlenose dolphins – and the inlet’s silty bottom is home to the prized blue manna crab. Spot the former breaching and playing on an hour-long dolphin cruise through the channels, or try your hand at catching the latter by wading through the estuary’s shallows with a scoop net in hand.

    While swimming at the circular Kwillena Gabi Pool, chance encounters with the local wildlife aren’t uncommon. The sheltered estuarine pool takes its name from the traditional custodians of the land, the Bindjareb people, and directly translates to ‘dolphin waters’. Jutting out of the eastern foreshore, it’s enclosed by a ring of net-free floating pontoons, which allow the dolphins to swim freely through the attraction.

    If that’s a little too close for comfort, book a kayak tour with Down Under Discoveries . The dolphins have been known to cruise beside the paddle-powered crafts, which are a fun, family-friendly way to explore the city’s inner waterways.

    Dolphins swimming in Mandurah.
    Watch dolphins glide by as you explore Mandurah.

    You don’t have to be on the water to appreciate the coastal city’s aquatic beauty, with 600 kilometres of cycleways and scenic walking trails traversing Mandurah’s estuary, inlet and coast.

    Follow the 30-kilometre coastal trail and you’ll come face to face with one of Thomas Dambo’s headline-making ‘Giants of Mandurah  sculptures, Santi Ikto, along the way. There are five sculptures around Mandurah in total, hidden among gum-filled reserves or sitting sentry over the water.

    Head to the Mandurah Visitor Centre to pick up a map to pinpoint their exact location and download the traveller’s companion to learn more about the sights along the way. Or join a three-hour e-bike tour from The Bike Kiosk and you’ll stop by two of the giants – Santi Ikto and Yaburgurt Winjan Cirkelstone – as you sightsee central Mandurah.

    The towering Santi Ikto, one of Thomas Dambo’s iconic Giants of Mandurah.
    Meet Santi Ikto, one of the legendary Giants of Mandurah.

    Where to eat in Mandurah

    Mandurah’s culinary scene reflects its laid-back lifestyle, with large, honest meals and locally brewed beer. After visiting Lake Clifton’s 2000-year-old thrombolites, head to the peppermint and gum-shaded beer garden at Thorny Devil Brewery . Tuck into a platter of house-smoked meats and an ale pulled fresh from the tanks. Closer to town and right on the waterfront is Boundary Island Brewery ; here, woodfired pizza, pub-style seafood dishes and easy-drinking brews are centre stage.

    On a Murray River Lunch Cruise , the focus is as much on the environment around you as the food you’re filling up on. Help yourself to the colourful salads and freshly cooked meats on the buffet as you meander up the winding, jarrah tree-lined waterway, stopping at the heritage Cooper’s Mill for a quick walking tour along the way.

    Keep your eyes trained on the Creery Wetlands as you pass – you’ll spot much of the region’s migratory birdlife, and, as always, might see the playful bottlenose dolphins in the inlet.

    The most memorable meals aren’t necessarily always the fanciest, and lunch aboard a self-skippered Mandurah BBQ Boat is a testament to that. All food and beverage prep is left up to you as you cruise through the canals, sausages and steaks sizzling away on the central hot plate.

    If seafood is more your kind of fare, board the Wild Seafood Experience , where dolphin cruise meets long table lunch. Eight courses of crab, crayfish and scallops await.

    A table filled with plates of crab, crayfish, and scallops.
    Dine on the water with eight courses of ocean-fresh fare.

    Where to stay in Mandurah

    With so many waterways comes abundant waterside stays. Like the self-contained Seashells Mandurah on the shores of Comet Bay. The calm, oceanic outlook from the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and villas is as close to Maldivian as Mandurah gets. Families especially enjoy the property, bouncing between the protected cove and the beachfront pool for endless hours of fun.

    Seashells Mandurah; on the shores of Comet Bay.
    Stay right by the sea.

    The Sebel Mandurah , just a hop, skip and jump from the Mandurah Ocean Marina, has a different outlook entirely, overlooking the estuary and lively foreshore on the other side. It’s also within walking distance of the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre , cinema and a swathe of waterfront bars and eateries.

    But you can’t get any closer to the water than on a vessel from Mandurah Houseboats . You don’t need a skipper’s ticket to hire one, nor do you need comprehensive boating experience; just a full driver’s license and your undivided attention during the pre-departure tuition will do. Then you’re free to take to the estuaries and tributaries for a few nights of peaceful rest, surrounded by the very element that makes Mandurah so special.

    A houseboat cruising in Mandurah along the river
    Captain a houseboat to explore Mandurah at your own pace.

    Plan your next WA getaway in Mandurah.