3 Wildflower Walking Weekend Ideas ... that you can do right now!
MULLEWA
Distance from Perth: 450 km
Where to Stay: Old Pindar Hotel - so quaint and friendly.
Walk: Bushland Trail Walk
Drive: Northern Loop & Southern Circuit
Time visited: 15 July 2020
You’ll be delighted at just how much is already in flower in this area at this time. The drives are great ways to also find out more about the culture of the district, but make sure you park up somewhere safe and take a wander because when you walk, you can spot all the tiny ones you can’t see from the car. You will love it!!
Here are just a few of the flowers we saw. Pop into the Visitors Centre and have a chat with the lovely staff there.
And for a great view of the town and short, but beautiful walk, head to the Bushland Trail Walk and be right among some beautiful Hakeas and Eremophilas. Also, the wreath flowers might be out very close to Pindar - follow the signs.
RAVENSTHORPE RANGE
Distance from Perth: 500 km
Where to Stay: Our favourite place to stay in the area- is the Blue Vista Cottage which is 35 km south of Ravensthorpe towards Hopetoun - it is delightful and you cannot find friendlier and more attentive hosts! But if you don’t want to add any more distance to your journey, there is the Ravensthorpe Motel (call ahead of time) and also the Green Haven Tourist Park.
Walk: Ravensthorpe Range Walk - start at Archers Lookout - access Floater Road via Old Newdegate Road off Hopetoun-Lake King Road.
Time visited: 3 July 2020
Start at the lookout and walk up the hill and as far as you like - a few kilometers are enough to see so many species in flower there.
We were early in the season and so from now (the publishing of this post) until October, there will be so many species around, you won’t know where to point your camera. Look below at some of the beauties we saw.
STIRLING RANGE NATIONAL PARK
Distance from Perth: 400 km
Where to Stay: Stirling Range Retreat is a great and central place from where to explore wildflowers all through the National Park. You can camp, use the power sites for caravans or rent a simple cottage or a really cozy rammed earth bungalow, your choice! Super friendly management and the facilities are excellent.
Walk/Drive: Stirling Range Drive - Mt Magog or anywhere in the park.
Time visited: 9 July 2020
There are a lot of places to explore in the National Park, but if you drive down Stirling Range Drive you will start to see flowers from the car and you can stop and walk around and see lots of them in bloom. Make sure you look down to see if you can spot any of the tiny orchids or smaller flowers that are found only inches from the ground.
The suggested walk is the lower part of the trail towards Mt Magog - but you don’t have to climb right to the top 500 metres or so is enough to see stunning wildflowers right now! Like these:
REMEMBER:
1. Park safely (away from bends or crests)
2. If you are on the road for extended periods of time, wear a high visibility vest so that drivers can see you.
3. DO NOT pick any flowers or damage their environment in any way!
Enjoy the delightful beauty of our wildflowers and make sure to tag #edgewalkers on Instagram or @Edgewalkers on Facebook and we will repost on our pages.