Perth to Geraldton

Head north on the Indian Ocean Way or Brand Highway towardsGeraldton, taking a stop at the Central Greenough Historic Settlement. Here, 11 beautifully resorted character buildings tell the story of the area's pioneering heritage from the turn of the 19th century. The area surrounding the settlement is dotted with wildflowers. Stop at the onsite visitor centre for a delicious homemade meals or a coffee. Just nearby, the Hampton Arms Inn is a bibliophile's dream, with many out of print books to browse while enjoying a beer. Also look out for the unusual leaning trees on the Greenough flats, bent low to the ground and growing horizontally due to the strong summer winds in the area. Northwards lies Geraldton, the Coral Coast’s vibrant hub city. Colourful wildflowers of many varieties can be seen on roadside areas on this section of the wildflower tour.

Note: From Carnarvon you may like to consider heading east to find roadsides coloured in the purples and whites of mulla mulla on the way to the Kennedy Range National Park. This park is home to more than 80 species of annual wildflowers. Note that only four-wheel drive vehicles can access the park.

Geraldton to Carnarvon

Start early today for the drive to Carnarvon, considered the food bowl of WA. Not only will you be rewarded with outstanding wildflower displays of parakeelya, purple vetch, northern bluebells and seasonal everlastings. Foodies will also be rewarded with a feast of fresh produce on offer from tropical fruits, chutneys and jams to copious amounts of fresh seafood. After a sunset stroll along the Fascine head to a local restaurant for a meal made of fresh local produce.

Carnarvon to Exmouth

North of Carnarvon at Minilya the riverbanks offer shade of river gums and coolibah. On the sand dunes you'll find grevilleas, hakeas and banksias and wattles cap the ridges. Off Burkett Road, station stays are a great overnight stop. The autumn rains produce abundant colourful masses of wildflowers in the area’s fertile red soil.

Continue your journey north toward Exmouth where the coastal plain of the Exmouth Gulf is a predominately wattle shrubland interspersed with occasional stands of mallee near dry creek beds. Bright red yulbah flowers are visible in summer and in winter there's the golden hue of spring wattles, often infused with purple mulla mulla. On your way north, check out Shothole Canyon and Charles Knife Gorge for some ruggedly beautiful scenery.