[:en]Wildflower season has finally arrived, which is basically Christmas time for us flora enthusiasts! In Western Australia we are particularly lucky as the state contains over 12,000 plant species, 60% of which cannot be found anywhere else around the world. Each year this magical flora show begins its journey from the northern pindan outback around July and finishes in November in the forest and coastal heaths of our South West region. While there are many stunning places around Cervantes where one can enjoy the blooms of wildflowers, we have narrowed it down to the best five spots.
Nambung National Park
Start your wildflower adventure off close by taking a 20 minute drive from Cervantes to Nambung National Park. As well as being known for its iconic Pinnacles Desert, this place blooms with stunning wildflowers from August to October. Enjoy the vibrant blooms of different species of wattles, yellowtail flowers, white clematis and banksias to name a few out of many.
Lesueur National Park
This site is around a 40 minute drive from Cervantes. At around 26,987 hectares, this sizeable spot is well-known as wildflower lover’s paradise. Take your camera and explore the eruption of colour from more than 900 plant species, several of which have been included on an endangered list such as the Pink-Flowered Hakea.
Badgingarra National Park
Around an hour’s drive from Cervantes. This park is around 13,109 hectares of wildflower bliss. Follow the Badgingarra Nature Trail, which is around a 90 minute walk, and check out the rare kangaroo paws and Badgingarra mallee that can be found along your journey.
Tathra National Park
Located north-east of Eneabba and about an hour’s drive from Cervantes. Tathra is a Nyungar word that literally translates to beautiful place. As its name says, this place explodes into incredible arrays of colour once spring approaches. It contains more than 2600 plant species, which represents over 70% of the species found in southern Western Australia.
Stockyard Gully Reserve
About an hour’s drive from Cervantes, this reserve forms part of the old North Stock Route and is iconic for its unique limestone caves. Whilst exploring the caves you can also take in the unique vibrancy of all the wildflower species present in the area such as the Purple-Flowered Native Wisteria and Coastal Daisy Bush.[:]