WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

You can see why they call these flowers 'wild'. Within a few metres, you can encounter spider orchids, clawflowers, kangaroo paws, donkey orchids and cowslips. Not to mention slug orchids, bug orchids, and cat's paws. There's a whole zoo out here, it seems.

 In spring, Western Australia's bush comes alive, and you don't have to go far to see it. Just a few kilometres from Perth, closer if you opt for Kings Park (the city's botanical gardens) and you will find yourself surrounded by orange and yellow egg-and-bacon bushes, enamel orchids glossed improbably blue and purple, gaudy red and green kangaroo paws looking as if they are cut with pinking shears from felt, and blue leschenaultia, like bits of crashed sky. Magically, everywhere the winter-drab bush has been transformed into a ready-made public park.

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This article continues with details of what to see and do during WA’s premier tourist season and  includes information on accommodation provided, local food and cuisine, things to do and see.

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WA has around 7000 species of wildflowers, more than any other state in Australia and each year hundreds of thousands of visitors go bush to see what the fuss is about. They are never disappointed. Even if you're not a nature lover to start with, a walk on the wild side will soon convert you. If, that is, 'wild' means flowers, and the 'side' of the continent is the West.

©Sally Hammond 2006

Picture Credits: ©Gordon Hammond 2006

(Sally and Gordon Hammond travelled independently to WA)

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