With wildflowers that burst into life during the warmer months and cooler climate blooms on display year-round, Australia’s spectacular flora puts on diverse and dazzling displays of colour right across the country. From the desert blooms of the Western Australia wildflower season to the east coast’s iconic avenues of purple jacarandas and pink wax flowers, here’s our guide on how, where and when to see some of the best wildflowers on show.
Lions Lookout, Korung National Park. Image courtesy of Tourism Western Australia and @naturebynathan.
Western Australia is famous for its beautiful wildflowers, with more than 12,000 different species blooming in a riot of colour across the state between June in the north and November in the south. Around two thirds of these flowers are also endemic to WA, meaning they’re not found anywhere else in the world. Not surprisingly, visitors flock here in the springtime to witness this technicoloured bloom. Just remember to enjoy the view only and leave no trace, as picking wildflowers is illegal in WA and other parts of Australia.
For a heady floral dose, make your way to the Korung National Park, an hour’s drive from Perth in the picturesque Perth hills. The park transforms into a wonderland of wildflowers in spring, including the pink enamel orchid and native fauna like grass trees, kangaroo paw, hakeas, grevilleas, wattles and peas. Popular with bushwalkers and mountain-bikers all year round, you’ll also be rewarded with magical views of the coastal plain on the 4 km loop track through jarrah forest to the Lions Lookout.
Image from: Tourism Western Australia
An hour north of Perth, the Avon Valley offers rolling hills, river vistas, and colourful Western Australia wildflowers from late August through October. Walk through native forests of jarrah, murri and powderbark trees, brightened with banksias, kangaroo paw and yellow morrison flowers in the spring. High granite outcrops afford sweeping views over the valley and river, abundant with native wildlife. There’s also some interesting 19th-century bushranger lore to discover here too.
Where to stay
If you’re looking for accommodation options, Perth has you covered with comfortable and stylish hotels next to parkland, beaches and coastline.
Fitzgerald River National Park. Image courtesy of Tourism Western Australia
On the south coast of Western Australia, Esperance is renowned for its dazzling white beaches and turquoise waters. But as a key destination on the Esperance Wildflower Trail, it’s also known for its stunning wildflowers. In fact, wildflower spotting is one of the top things to do in Esperance. Head to the Rotary Lookout for panoramic ocean views and sightings of Australian bluebells, fringe lilies, and the flowering hakea. Further east, the Cape le Grand National Park has walking trails dotted with banksias, kangaroo paw, grevilleas and the bright orange flowers of the Western Australian Christmas tree.
Where to stay
The Comfort Inn Bay of Isles offers comfortable and modern Esperance accommodation opposite the beach and within walking distance from town.
Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, St. Ives. Image courtesy of Ku-ring-gai Council
Over on the east coast, tucked away in the suburb of St Ives, is one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets. A 123-hectare garden oasis of native plants and wildflowers, first planted in the 1960s, the Ku-Ring-Gai Wildflower Garden is a botanist's paradise with pink wax flowers, banksias and wattles on show. Here, you can see different wildflowers bloom all year round and buy your own from the on-site nursery to take home. You can also explore the adjacent Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park walks through magnificent coastal rainforest and bushland.
Where to stay
From boutique hotels in the heart of the city to heritage stays in the vibrant inner west, you’ll find plenty of Sydney accommodation to suit your style and budget.
Image courtesy of Destination NSW
The famous jacaranda tree in full lilac spring bloom is a sight to behold, and Grafton in NSW’s Clarence Valley is one of the best places to see this seasonal display. A historic town of Victorian and Edwardian architecture, Grafton becomes resplendent in the spring as 1700 jacaranda trees across town burst into vivid colour. So much so that Grafton holds the annual 10-day Jacaranda Festival in late October in celebration of this beautiful flowering tree and its iridescent purple flowers, originally from South America.
Where to stay
The Comfort Inn Grafton offers a range of excellent Grafton accommodation in the heart of town, from standard and family rooms to self-contained rooms and cottages for longer stays.
Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve, Northern Canberra. Image courtesy of Tourism Australia
This beautiful bushland reserve of eucalypt forest and woodland in northern Canberra is part of an important nature corridor for wildlife to move safely between the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee rivers. It provides a protected habitat for threatened bird species and has a heritage-listed stand of snow gums on the edge of a frost hollow. Explore the network of walking trails in springtime and see tiny orchids, bush peas, lilies and daisies as well as the rare small purple pea.
Where to stay
The Quality Hotel Dickson offers modern, well-appointed Canberra accommodation in the heart of the capital, providing the perfect base for exploring ACT parks and wildflowers.
Bridestowe Lavender Estate. Image courtesy of Luke Tscharke
You’ll find more lilac splendour south of the mainland in Tasmania’s famous lavender fields. The state’s cool climate, clean air and fertile soil are the perfect conditions for lavender to thrive, including English, French and Lavandin varieties. In fact, it turns out that Provence and northern Tasmania have quite a bit in common than just superb wines. Bridstowe Lavender Estate in Launceston is the most famous producer, with lovers of lavender flocking to sigh over vistas of purple fields in flower from December to January each year.
Where to stay
Enjoy modern facilities with a heritage charm at the historic Quality Hotel Colonial Launceston, built in 1876 and classified by the National Trust, all within walking distance of local highlights.
See the beautiful Desert Pea's.
Discover the rugged beauty of South Australia’s magnificent Flinders Ranges, forged over 540 million years ago. Ancient gorges, picturesque hiking trails, and endless vistas - it’s a bucket-list destination that will take your breath away. Come here in the spring, and blooming around large rock formations on the edge of the desert, you’ll find a variety of native wildflower species, including desert pea, acacia, fringe lilies, lavender grevillea, and mint bush.
Where to stay
You’ll find affordable and comfortable Port Augusta accommodation at the Econo Lodge Port Augusta, the perfect place to base yourself for a day trip to the Flinders Ranges National Park. Comfort Inn & Suites Augusta Westside is another great option with spacious, air-conditioned guest rooms and eco suites.
Port Fairy township. Image courtesy of Visit Victoria
Around three hours west of Melbourne, the Grampians in Victoria is another bucket-list wildflower destination, particularly in the spring from August to October. A series of sandstone ridges and craggy cliffs rising up out of the lush bush, you’ll find over a thousand flowering plant species here. Explore the world-famous walking trails to majestic waterfalls, and see Grampians boronia, blue pin-cushion lilies, pink and white heath, and native orchids blooming in the heathland.
Where to stay
Enjoy warm country hospitality at the Comfort Inn May Park in Horsham, the largest town in the region. Horsham is a great base for exploring the stunning beauty of the Grampians National Park. You’ll find more quality Horsham accommodation at Comfort Inn Capital Horsham.