carcajou

We make it a point to go to the Mid West (inland, not Geraldton-Dongara) to see wildflowers every year, and it has been a bumper season due to the good rains in WA.

Around Morawa (especially) right now, carpets of everlastings are almost everywhere. Didn't quite make it to Coalseam this year but supposedly going gangbusters there. The wreath flowers area also a highlight and usually easy to find if you call into the visitors' centres especially in Mullewa and Morawa.

Accommodation can be iffy in that area off the coast, but easy enough to stay in Geraldton and then take the car out.

Well worth doing for anyone in WA who can take a long weekend.

Dorothy

We'll probably do this next weekend.

carcajou

Dorothy - PM if you want some specific advice. We know the area well.

the troubadour

WA was known as The Wild Flower State even on number plates many, many decades back, but somehow lost over time. Thankfully, in more recent times, this is returning to focus. We wanted to 'do' the areas carcajou mentioned this year, but overseas commitments meant partner staying far longer than at first anticipated, besides hardly a thing I'd do on my own. I guess by October, the flowering season will be far more south.
Probably a good idea to stay in Geraldton. and take trips, but read that the caravan parks and hotels in Morawa and Mullewa are pretty good. Although heavily subscribed, I'm sure.
Another attraction, is usually head South and Geraldton, not normally a place I'd stay overnight, haven't stayed there for way over a decade, although have passed through, but that prevailing wind used to irritate me there. But the wild flower season, certainly bring on another reason to visit those parts.

carcajou

Troubadour - good to see you posting again after your time away.

In your timeframe - you are right that everything will probably be gone in the Mid West, but around the last week (or so) of September, Ravensthorpe has an annual wildflower show. There are a few drive and walk trails around, and if you have a 4WD, there is a track through the Ravensthorpe Ranges behind town that have a lot of wildflower viewing opportunities. Ravy is not worth staying in, but Hopetoun is only 50 km away, on the boundary of Fitzgerald River National Park, and there are a few hotels and restaurants there. So a good chance to go see the wildflowers and then spend some time in Fitzgerald River. End of September/early October, it might even be warm enough to go swimming at the beach (some years it is) - but probably not yet.

As for the Mid West - there are a small number of accommodation options in Morawa but none I know enough to comment on. Mullewa has become a tough town (lots of idle people about etc) and I wouldn't stay there, especially with Geraldton only 45 minutes away (and, Geraldton-Mullewa is a fairly scenic drive). The accommodation in Carnamah gets some good reviews, and Moora is reliable as well - one facility there has just undergone extensive renovation. But it is important for anyone reading this planning a trip up that way to know that lunch/snack options in the inland Mid West (ie, not Geraldton-Dongara) are few and far between - pack a lunch and a snack for your drive - and reserve for dinner. Mullewa, Morawa, Three Springs etc are all tiny farming communities.

There is a small tea room just north of Moora, in I think Coomberdale, that does some food, and there is a tea room in an old mansion in Pindar which the owners only open during wildflower season, which also does some good morning teas. Other than that it is really a crapshoot that you will (1) find a place that's open and (2) that will serve something palatable beyond greasy petrol-station takeaway. Most people looking for wreath flowers will pass through Pindar (there are quite a few out there) and that's an interesting stop anyways, right at the edge of WA station country. The facility in Carnamah is supposedly recommended - but doesn't do lunches - and it's dangerous to drive at night unless you are an experienced country driver (and even then it is still dangerous . . .).

Anyways happy flower viewing.

carcajou

Everlastings and Pom-Poms:

spouse of scouse

Beautiful photos. Love the WA wildflowers.

carcajou

Now that you're back, why not go up there for a few days? Weather is a gamble, this year has been great for wildflowers, but who knows what the future will hold. Last year was pretty ordinary.

spouse of scouse

Won't be happening this year, unfortunately. Hard to estimate exactly, but I've probably made 30 trips through the years to specifically see the wildflowers and it never gets old. Fingers crossed that next year's a good season.

scilly

We were in WA in September/October 12 years ago and were taken to various areas by a couple of WA botanists (we're also botanists) ...... we saw lots of wildflowers, although it was not a spectacular season. I remember one area where they took us and we were surround by orchids. Not in great numbers, but where ever you looked, there would 3 or 4 specimens of yet another species.

We spent a year in the mid-70s living in Melbourne, and di a lot of botanising in that state ....... a mass of Sturt Desert Pea is a wonder to behold!

Thanks for the memory!

the troubadour

Your a mind of information carcajou, many thanks for that. In my particular case, I do fear it will be too late for this year though, as The Mid West was the area we had in mind, being far less travelled in our case. We most years, when in OZ, do get to view the flowers down South, never been as far as Raves though, during blooming. Never been to Hopetoun at anytime. I suspect it will be a few walks in the Cranbrook/Plantagenet/Albany areas again, although I think we have on film, most the various blooms of that area, have yet to identify a lot of them. Just nice to be in the natural world away from the 'big smoke' for awhile . Thanks for wishes and info provided. Pleasant to have a subject away from politics, to focus attentions on.

the troubadour

Lovely pics. Thanks for posting.

scrubbedexpat094

What gorgeous photos. Cheered me up on another wet, miserable day in Auckland. I'd want to run through them but I'm guessing that might be hazardous

Dorothy

We got out today for a drive up to Jurien Bay. Even the roadside along Indian Ocean Drive was a mass of colour. We're off to Albany next weekend for a few days' R&R and a walk around the area.

moneypenny20

Looks beautiful. Dozza if you bump into an ignorant Kiwi with a massive nose, smack him on it. He's my ex BiL and he's a knob.