Every July to November, Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region is lit up with an array of bright blooms. This part of the world boasts one of the largest wildflower collections on the planet, with more than 12,000 species (60 per cent of which can’t be found anywhere else).

Make the most of this season and check out the stunning natural display of flowers, while unearthing the hidden gems of the Wheatbelt. Here are a few tips for where to see wildflowers and what to do:

Wickepin

Wickepin is a typical wheatbelt town with extraordinary displays of colour – drive down to Lake Yealering, which is a serene spot where people can see wildflowers and water birds. It’s perfect for picnicking or boating. Spider orchids can be found in abundance at the Wickepin cemetery, or you can drive down to Harrismith for more wildflower spotting. Roam around the Harrismith Walk Trail that surrounds the town, and check out the orchids, verticordias, grevilleas and banksias.

Manjimup

The name Manjimup comes from local Aboriginal words ‘Manjin’, meaning ‘an edible reed’, and ‘up’, which means meeting place. This is a gorgeous gourmet town with wildflowers galore. Sample artisanal produce at the Manjimup Farmers Market, such as black truffles, cherries, chestnuts, wine and olive oil. This town comes alive with colour in spring – keep your eyes peeled for karri, jarrah and tingle forest. There are 194 species of orchid that paint the forest into a living tapestry.

Albany

This gorgeous town has a wide array of wildflowers – head to Stirling Range National Park, where there are more than 1500 species of plants and more than 100 types of bird. You can drive up to Mutton Bird Beach, where you can see blossoming eucalypt trees nestled in granite rocks near the water.

For more sights to see in this region, read the Caravanning Australia Spring 2021 issue!