Wave Rock wildflower season

When is wildflower season at Wave Rock?

August to October, says the Shire of Kondinin, with the Wave Rock area at its best in August and September after good autumn rain.

The bloom moves south and inland as the season goes on. Australia's Golden Outback says the outback season runs from July to November every year, and that winter rainfall is the best guide: the wetter the better. Wikipedia gives September to December for Wave Rock itself, which fits the later shrubs and trees.

This year the eastern Wheatbelt started slowly. In its mid-August update, Australia's Golden Outback reported that Merredin and Beacon already had many species out, while Hyden, Kondinin and Kulin were only starting to flower. Walk trails around Wave Rock were "starting to bloom". Wheatbelt Tourism lists the Wave Rock walks for September and October, with sheoak, jam, everlastings and orchids.

Where are the orchids at Wave Rock?

Around the base of the rock near the sheoaks, and along the bush track to Hippo's Yawn.

The Shire of Kondinin calls woodland and granite rock country the best places to find orchids, and names Wave Rock alongside Yeerakine Rock near Kondinin and McCann's Rock near Karlgarin. The ones to look for: donkey orchids, pink candy orchids, spider orchids, snail orchids and pink lady fingers. Most are small, many under a hand's height, so walk slowly and look down.

The Hippo's Yawn loop is about 1 km and links Wave Rock, Hippo's Yawn and the car park. Australia's Golden Outback says it passes through bush with wattle, hakea, grevillea and callistemon, plus several orchid species. At The Humps, 15 minutes' drive north, the Shire points out a stand of Gungurru, a weeping mallee listed as priority rare flora. For the trails themselves, see our walks and entry fee guide.

What is still flowering in late October and November?

Shrubs, trees and some late orchids. The carpets of everlastings are mostly over by now.

Wheatbelt Tourism's season page says the everlastings are finishing as the weather gets warmer and drier, but that the Wheatbelt is still full of trees, shrubs and perennials in flower, on town reserves, road verges and wildflower drives. That is the honest picture for a trip in the next few weeks: less colour on the ground, more on the bushes.

Late spring has its upside. The days are longer and still mild, with a mean maximum of about 25°C in October and 28.5°C in November at Hyden, according to Bureau of Meteorology figures. Granite rocks can keep orchids going late in a good season; Wheatbelt Tourism says the rocks around Southern Cross carry them into November. If carpets of everlastings are the goal, plan for August or September next year.

Can you see wildflowers on a Wave Rock day tour from Perth?

Yes. The coach day tour drives through the Wheatbelt in spring and gives you time on the walks at Wave Rock and Hippo's Yawn.

The Wave Rock, York and Aboriginal culture day tour runs out through York, past the Dog Cemetery, to Hippo's Yawn, a country lunch at the Wildflower Shoppe in Hyden, then Wave Rock and Mulka's Cave. Lunch and entry to all the attractions are included, per the listing, with pickup from selected Perth CBD hotels. It is a 12.5-hour day for US$188, rated 4.6 from 602 reviews.

This is a rock tour, not a botany tour. You get the flowers that grow along the tracks you walk, and the canola and wheat between towns. Guests say the guides know their geology and Aboriginal history; ask on board about what is flowering, and spend your free minutes on the base track by the sheoaks. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before makes it easy to pick a fine day.

York, Hippo's Yawn, a country lunch, Wave Rock and Mulka's Cave, with entry fees included and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

★ 4.6 · 12.5 hours · from $188

Explore the Wave Rock coach day tour → Tour details

Does the wildflower day tour go to Wave Rock?

No. The wildflower day tour from Perth sets its route each day by where the bloom is best, and Wave Rock is not on it.

The full-day wildflower discovery tour is built around the flowers: bush walks, morning tea, a local lunch and a guided walk, on a route the guide changes daily because some species only bloom for a few days. It runs 9 hours for US$256 and is rated 4.6 from 17 reviews. The listing is clear that the guides are passionate wildflower locals, not botanists.

Pick it for the flowers and a shorter day. Pick the coach day for Wave Rock. Guests on the wildflower tour say the guide found "great places where the wildflowers were blooming" and that the morning tea and lunch were good. A few mention a lot of driving, which is the price of chasing the bloom.

What are the rules for wildflowers at Wave Rock?

Stay on the tracks, do not pick anything and clean the soil off your shoes between reserves.

Picking is not a grey area. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) says picking, cutting or uprooting native plants without a licence is illegal under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, and that substantial penalties apply. A damaged plant can take years to recover, if it recovers at all.

• Stay on the path. Orchid seedlings can be crushed before they flower, says DBCA.
• Clean your shoes. Phytophthora dieback travels in tiny amounts of soil and kills plants by attacking their roots.
• Take photos, not flowers. A macro lens or phone close-up does the job.
• Respect the site. Wave Rock is Katter Kich to the Ballardong people and is on the Aboriginal Heritage Sites Register.

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