Sabrina Hahn: The best wildflower festivals around Western Australia in spring from Ravensthorpe to Albany

Late winter and autumn rains have been a major boost to the wildflower season this year. It’s a great opportunity for city dwellers and nature lovers from regional Western Australia to escape urban life and explore some of the best biodiversity hotspots in the State. It’s also a celebration of the remarkable survival and adaptation mechanisms our flora and fauna have developed over millions of years. The major wildflower festivals include the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show, the Albany Wildflower Show, the Esperance Djilba Wildflower Festival, and the Great Southern Treasures Bloom Festival. Accommodation during these events can be in high demand, so it’s essential to plan ahead to ensure you can travel between locations and enjoy the surrounding countryside. Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show September 8-20 Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun This show has been running for 43 years now and continues to be the best the West has to offer. Ravensthorpe is part of the Fitzgerald Biosphere, a UNESCO-recognised Man and the Biosphere Program project. If WA is the wildflower State, then Ravensthorpe has to be our wildflower capital. The world-class Fitzgerald River National Park and the unique Ravensthorpe Range are host to almost 25 per cent of WA’s flora species — and some that are, as yet, undocumented. Apart from more than 700 different species that are classified, named and on display at the Ravensthorpe Town Hall, the line-up of workshops and speakers at this year’s festival is outstanding. Acclaimed experts guide participants on a discovery of flora and and fauna not seen anywhere else in the world. Feast in the Fitz with Fervor is on again on September 12 and 13, along with the ever-popular 4WD Tag Along Tours. See wildflowersravensthorpe.org.au. Djilba Wildflower Festival Esperance September 20-24 Esperance Civic Centre There will be more than 600 wildflower species on display, and keynote speaker Professor Stephen van Leeuwen will talk about the unique flora found around the wetlands of the district on September 19 from 5pm-6pm. See esperancewildflowerfestival.com. Albany Wildflower Show September 24-27 St John’s Hall, Albany It has an extensive display of local wildflowers, particularly the orchid display. Proceeds from the show support the Albany Herbarium. See albanylocals.com.au/albany-wildflower-show-2025. Bloom Festival 2025 September 27-October 26 Great Southern region This festival spans the entire Great Southern Treasures region, from Kojonup out to Pingrup, down to Bremer Bay on the coast, across to the Porongurup and Frankland River, taking in major centres such as Katanning, the Stirling Range and Fitzgerald River national parks and everything in between. Events and activities include arts, crafts, displays, exhibitions, fauna and flora-themed activities, creative workshops, food events, markets, Noongar cultural events, open gardens, wine and dine events, family fun days, movie nights, live music, heritage trails, guided flower walks, tours. and hikes including through the Stirling and Porongurup ranges. See greatsoutherntreasures.com.au/bloom. Tip of the week Pre-book your tickets to all workshops and talks during wildflower festivals, as they can get snapped up pretty quickly. Three jobs to do 1. Eggplants take weeks to develop fruit. so get them in the ground now so they’ll ripen by November. 2. Control onion aphids before they destroy your crop. Spray weekly, alternating between Natrasoap and pyrethrum. 3. Feed all citrus trees with Growsafe mineral fertiliser to ensure they get the right amounts of manganese, iron and magnesium.