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Western Australia 2016

Western Australia is home to one of the most diverse floras in the world with over 12,500 plant species. This makes it a fascinating destination for wildflower enthusiasts. We visited during spring, the perfect time to enjoy all this region has to offer.
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The first day was spent exploring Ellis Brook Valley Reserve, just over half an hour from Perth. The reserve is home to a spectacular variety of wild flora and our tour group certainly weren’t disappointed. Here they saw a wonderful selection of plants, including the first of many spider orchids (Western Australia is home to 136 species).

(Click on any photo to view scroll through the gallery and see the plant names)

The group travelled north from Perth to Nambung National Park, where they saw The Pinnacles – impressive limestone formations.

Next, it was a long drive to Kalbarri. There was still plenty to see with stops to botanise along the way.

After the long drive, it was time to explore Kalbarri National Park – one of the most popular spots for wildflowers in Western Australia.

A trip inland from Kalbarri allowed the group to see the wreath flowers (Lechenaultia macrantha) – flowering the best they had in many years.

They saw many more beautiful plants on the trip inland, including donkey orchids.

Time for another long drive, this time back to Perth. Despite the cold and wet weather, the plants en route brightened up the day.

The next trip was to Dryandra Woodland, south of Perth. Dryandra Woodland is a nature conservation area and a hotspot for flora and fauna – it’s also home to the largest remnant of original vegetation in the western Wheatbelt.

Travelling from Narrogin to Esperance, there were plenty of fantastic plants and a visit to Ravensthorpe Wild Flower Show.

Next on the agenda was exploring the coastal town of Esperance. Unfortunately, there was a coldspell with heavy showers – but the plants didn’t disappoint with lots of orchids.

Onto Hopetoun, another coastal town. The weather was much warmer and it proved another good day for orchids.

From Hopetoun, our group moved on to Stirling Range National Park in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, approx. 337km south-east of Perth.

Moving on from the Stirling Range, the group travelled east to Quaalup Homestead in Fitzgerald River National Park.

The final destination of the tour was Manjimup in the Southern Forests before returning to Perth to fly home.

Photos: David Haselgrove

 

If this tour captured your interest, you’ll be pleased to know we’re running another tour to Western Australia in August/September 2020! Find out more here.