The flora of the state of Western Australia is truly amazing, and is as diverse as any other in the world. Tour leader Paul Harmes reports on the highlights of the September 2007 Naturetrek tour.
We began with the group assembling at our hotel in Perth, as some of us had been out here for some time already. An early introduction to some of the species we would be likely to encounter during our tour, was made in the King’s Park botanic gardens, with our local guide, Alan Notley. Banksias, Grevillias, Hakeas, Vertacordias, Baronias, Myrtles and Eucalyptus were all seen.
The main tour started with a drive north from the city, towards the coastal town of Kalbarri, and the Murcherson River National Park, with visits to the splendid High Vallee Farm, the geological phenomenon of the Pinacles Desert and Mount Lesueur National Park, one of the three premier botanical locations, along the way. From this northerly point of the tour, we begin to travel south east through the wheat belt, stopping at Pindar to see the rare and endangered Leschenaultia macrantha (Wreath Flower). Small local reserves are very well accounted for, and these are an amazing riot of colour with many spring annuals, orchids and flowering shrubs. Narrogin, in the heart of the wheat belt, is an ideal stopping point for the Dryandra Woodlands. Here, as well as seeing many plant and bird species, we also spend an evening in the company of some of the regions smaller, nocturnal marsupials, at the Barna Mia centre. From Narrogin we made our way down to the south coast and the small town of Bremer Bay. From here it is but a short trip into the second of the premier sites, the Fitzgerald River National Park, home to Banksia coccinia (Red Banksia) and Pimelia physodes (Qualup Bell). From the look-out at Point Ann, it is often possible to see Southern Right Whales, and this year was particularly good with several females and their calves in the bay. Albany provides us with access to the third of the botanical hotspots, the Stirling Ranges National Park, where the beautiful Darwinia oxylepes (Gillum Bell) grows. At the western end of the south coast the dominant Eucalyptus woodlands are the Karri forests. We visited the Valley of the Giants, where the Karris and Tingles can be viewed from the ground or from an ariel walk-way, which was quite an experience. We completed the tour by returning through Nannup, and Bustleton, having passed stands of the peculiar Xanthorea preissii (Grasstree) and Dasypogon hookeri (Pinapple Bush). On our return to Perth, we had a free day to visit places of local interest, before catching our flight back to London.
To find out more about the Naturetrek tour please email Maryanne or visit the Wild Flowers of Western Australia tour page
The Pinnacles Desert
Darwinia oxylepis (Gillum Bell) and Pimelia physodes (Qualup Bell)
Lechenaultia macrantha (Wreath Flower)
Banksia coccinea (Scarlet Banksia)