 Visit the Central Wildflower Country of WA
The Central Wildflower Country is an area rich in pastoral and goldmining history. It is in this area that nature puts on an exquisite display of dazzling wildflowers – considered to be among the finest in the world.
Another major attraction of the area is the ruggedly beautiful Coalseam Conservation Park, between Mullewa and Mingenew, which in a good year overwhelms visitors with its spectacular scenery and display of everlastings. The Burma Road is also a wildflower buffs delight.
The Central Wildflower Country is easily accessible via sealed highways and is within easy reach of Perth.
Towns and communities include Mount Magnet (the region’s oldest surviving gold settlement), Yalgoo, Dalwallinu, Morawa and Perenjori.
Usually by late July until early September, and if sufficient rains have fallen, this area is the home of the ‘carpet of flowers’ when the outback undergoes a startling transformation and the dry red earth is transformed into carpets of colour by the emergence of pink, white and gold everlasting daisies.
The outback surrounds of Yalgoo host eye-catching white, gold and pink everlastings. Brilliant billy buttons, wild pansies, purple vetch, wattle (Acacia) and daises also flourish.
When travelling through Morawa and Perenjori you can’t help but notice the bright orange wild pomegranate and pink native foxgloves.
There are plenty of other photo opportunities with an array of orchid species, vivid grevillea, blue cornflower and yellow bells. Dalwallinu is regarded as the ‘Gateway to the World of Wattles' – boasting the greatest concentration of wattle species anywhere in the world. They flower most of the year, although August and September are when they are at their best.
You can enjoy the ancient attractions of Walga Rock near Cue, the Dalgaranga Meteorite Crater (a small crater between Yalgoo and Cue), Jokers Tunnel (near Yalgoo) and The Granites (Mount Magnet).
 Yalgoo
The Yalgoo township can be accessed from the Morawa Yalgoo Road or the Yalgoo Ninghan Road and is located six hours north of Perth.
Wildflowers such as white, cream, yellow and pink everlastings can be viewed from late July to September in the area.
The Shire of Yalgoo offers visitors the unique experience of true Australian life by staying at one of the many working sheep stations. Other accommodation is available at the hotel, caravan park and camping grounds.
Perenjori
Perenjori comes from the Aboriginal word 'perangery', meaning waterhole and is situated on the Wubin-Mullewa Highway, three and a half hours' drive from Perth.
In 1915 the railway line was officially opened and the population was 100. Today Perenjori is one of the largest agricultural shires in Western Australia including farming, pastoral and mining leases.
Displays of wildflowers bloom from August to October. A great variety of birdlife including black cockatoos, galahs and corellas to name a few, can be found.
 Cue
Take an hour's drive north from Mount Magnet to experience Cue and its fascinating history.
The scene of a huge gold rush during the late 1890s, this area is a tribute to the past. Many magnificent buildings constructed at the turn of the century still stand and are classified by the National Trust.
From the ruins of once-splendid stone buildings constructed over a century ago to the carpets of beautiful wildflowers from July to September, Cue is a great town to explore.
Situated 48 kilometres west of Cue is Walga Rock, approximately one and a half kilometres long and five kilometres around its base. One of the caves in the rock contains Aboriginal paintings including one believed to depict the Dutch ships that visited the mid-west coast of Western Australia in the seventeenth century. Worth a look is the outstanding photographic display housed in the shire office that portrays the past history of the Cue area.
Mingenew
Mingenew is located in the heart of wheat belt and wildflower country on Midlands Road, five hours' drive north of Perth. Nobody knows exactly what Mingenew means, some popular beliefs are either the Aboriginal work 'Mininoo' meaning place of many waters or 'minyanoo' meaning place of many ants.
Mingenew Hill is a tree covered red rock monolith. The summit affords breathtaking views of the Irwin Valley and is well worth the climb.
Walk trails taking you through beautiful areas of wildflowers (in season) are found throughout the town site. Coalseam Conservation Park, located close to Mingenew, was the first coal deposit to be discovered in the State. In the wildflower season a carpet of pink, gold, cream and white everlastings transforms the usually sparse understorey of wattle scrub. It is a perfect spot for a picnic, or a day out discovering one of nature's most exquisite landmarks.
|
e
