A wildflower landscape colours springtime Western Australia amid outback pubs, ghost towns and new and old mining areas. PAM JONES takes a wander through one of the region's most famous seasons.
Wildflower season in Western Australia runs from July to November - and it pays to do your research before you travel.
• Winning combo in Western Australia
The season peaks at different times in different areas, and the state is big! Work out what kinds of flowers you want to see and where you want to go before you arrive to get the most out of your experience.
The many species on show provide spectacular viewing and are rightly famous. There are more than 12,000 species of wildflowers in Western Australia - the world's largest collection (Some 60% of Western Australian wildflowers are found nowhere else on Earth).
There are some areas where you can find entire fields of wildflowers, although if this is what you want to see taking a guided tour or at the very least seeking local advice is a good idea.
But if you prefer to have a less structured visit, there are pockets of wildflowers sprinkled along many roadside and picnic areas.
There are various self-drive trails from Perth to the Coral Coast, south-west region, Golden Outback and as far north as the Pilbara.
And don't forget to start your visit with a trip to Perth's King's Park.
The inner city botanical hideaway is a regal, innovative mix of bushland and parkland that has gardens full of wildflowers at this time of year and sweeping views of the Swan and Canning Rivers and city skyline.
There are too many wildflower species to name, but blankets of white, pink and yellow everlastings are always crowdstoppers, and orchids and kangaroo paws other particularly satisfying finds.
• For more information go to: www.westernaustralia.com
Pam Jones travelled with the assistance of Tourism Western Australia, Air New Zealand, Britz Campervans and Budget Rent a Car
