Grand North West Drive - Wildflower Itinerary
All distances and times are approximate and will vary according to conditions.
GRAND NORTH WEST WILDFLOWER ROUTE
Day 1: Perth - Dalwallinu 273km, 3 hours
Leave Perth head north to New Norcia and explore Australia’s very own monastic town. Travel onto Wongan Hills with its various nature reserves, wildflowers and walk trails before heading to Dalwallinu famous for the Wreath Leschenaultia blooming just out of town. Drop into the Dalwallinu Discovery Centre for the latest wildflower and tourist information.
Accommodation options:
Dalwallinu Wheatland Motel
Dalwallinu Hotel, B&B’s, caravan park, camp
Day 2: Dalwallinu - Mullewa 243km, 3 hours
Head north and view more Wreath Leschenaultia in Perenjori, This is also the start of the Monsignor Hawes Trail. You must see Perenjori’s Church of St Joseph, view Morawa’s Church of the Holy Cross and Yalgoo’s preserved colonial architecture and Chapel of St Hyacinth, before heading to Mullewa and its Hawes designed Catholic Church.
Accommodation options:
Railway Hotel caravan park, camp Nearby: Wandina Homestead, Pindar Guest House
Day 3: Mullewa - Murchison Settlement 239km, 3 hours
Continue north into red earth station country and marvel at the endless vistas of everlasting wildflowers. Perhaps overnight at Murchison Settlement (the Shire without a town!) or consider staying at the award winning Wooleen Station which also has station tours of the everlastings in season.
Accommodation options:
Murchison Settlement - Oasis Roadhouse motel & caravan park, camp - Nearby, Wooleen Station, homestead rooms, 2BR aparts, caravan park, camp
Day 4: Murchison Settlement - Gascoyne Junction 260km, 3 hours
Head north, stop at the natural spring of Bilung Pool. Seashell fossils south of Gascoyne Junction point to natural history of the landscape. Nestled on the banks of the Gascoyne River, the town is a centre for local sheep and wheat stations. Visit the museum and picnic spots.
Accommodation options:
Gascoyne Junction - caravan park, camping Nearby - Bidgemia Station, std rooms, homestead, caravan park, camp
Day 5: Gascoyne Junction - Mt Augustus 307km, 4 hours
North of Gascoyne Junction take in the beauty of the Kennedy Range National Park, boasting springs, cliffs, canyons and wildlife. Then travel north-east to spectacular Mt Augustus National Park, home of Australia’s largest monolith, surrounded by purple mulla mulla wildflowers in spring. Take time to explore, you’ll be amazed at the Aboriginal rock carvings.
Accommodation options:
Cobra Station Bangemall Inn – motel rooms, caravan park, camp Mt Augustus Tourist Park – std rooms, caravan park, camp
Day 6: Mt Augustus - Karijini Eco Retreat 541km, 8 hours
Travel the 4WD Pingandy Road past Dooly Downs and Ashburton Downs, to the mining town of Tom Price. Refuel then into the spectacular gorge country around the Karijini Eco Retreat.
Accommodation:
Karijini Eco Retreat - Karijini National Park
Accommodation options: Deluxe tents with private facilities, Dorm-style eco tents and cabins, campground for tents and vansm with solar powered showers/WC, bush kitchens, with BBQs, sinks and seating
Day 7: Karijini National Park
Travel to the east of the national park to the visitor centre then view the spectacular Dales Gorge, Circular Pool and Fortescue Falls. Enjoy dinner at the Karijini Eco Retreat Restaurant.
Day 8: Karijini National Park
Enjoy the stunning nearby Joffre Gorge, Weano Gorge, Knox Gorge and Joffre Falls.
Day 9: Karijini - Exmouth 700km, 7.5 hours
Travel to Tom Price and refuel. Continue via Doradeen Road and Milne Road before joining Nameless Valley Drive and onto Nanutarra Drive for your journey to Exmouth. Turn left at Nanutarra Roadhouse at North West Coastal Highway and then right at Burkett Road travelling into Exmouth. On arriving in Exmouth discover the Cape Range National Park’s pristine beaches and deep rugged canyons. 630 species of flowering plants are found here. The red centred Sturt Pea is one of 12 endemic species found in the park.
Accommodation options:
Novotel Ningaloo Resort, Exmouth Escape Resort, Exmouth Cape Holiday Park, Ningaloo Lodge, Potshot Resort, Sal Salis, Bullara Station Warroora Station
Day 10: Exmouth - Carnarvon 367km, 4 hours
The drive to Carnarvon will reward you with displays of Parakeelya, purple vetch, northern bluebells and seasonal everlastings. Contact the Visitor Centre for local information on where to see the best displays.
Accommodation options:
Best Western Hospitality Inn Carnarvon, Coral Coast Tourist Park, Wintersun Caravan Park, Red Bluff Quobba Station, Gnaraloo Station
Day 11: Carnarvon - Shark Bay 324km, 4 hours
Look for seasonal everlastings along the roadside on the turn off to Shark Bay. Visit Francois Peron National Park, where the contrasting colours of the scenery range from deep reds to ocean blues and are as vivid as the wildflowers. The Shark Bay Daisy, Wattles, Dampiera and purple peas are commonly found in this area.
Accommodation options:
Heritage Resort Shark Bay, Oceanside Village, Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, Dirk Hartog Island, Carbla Station, Hamelin Station Stay
Day 12: Shark Bay - Kalbarri 370km, 4.45 hours
Kalbarri National Park is home to breathtaking coastal cliffs and deep river gorges that contrast with endless sand plains. The National Park has roughly 800 species of native flora, many of which are endemic species, including the Kalbarri spider orchid.
Accommodation options:
Kalbarri Palm Resort, Kalbarri Edge Resort, Murchison Caravan Park, Murchison House Station, Riverside Sanctuary
Day 13: Kalbarri - Geraldton 152km, 1.5 hours
Colourful wildflowers of many varieties can be seen on roadside areas along this drive via Northampton. Take the detour just north of Geraldton into the Chapman Valley where wildflowers abound and gourmet delights will entice you to stay a while and explore the region.
Accommodation options: Best Western Hospitality Inn Geraldton, Broadwater Mariner Resort, Sunset Beach Holiday Park
Day 14: Geraldton - Cervantes via Mingenew 377km, 4.5 hours
Head south via Dongara to Mingenew and the wildflower hotspot of the Coalseam Conservation Park, often carpeted in stunning white, pink and yellow everlastings during springtime. Nearby towns Three Springs, Carnamah Coorow also offer spectacular displays. Lesueur National Park alone features more than 800 species.
Accommodation options: Cervantes Edge Resort, Cervantes Pinnacles Motel, Cervantes Lodge, Cervantes Caravan Park
Day 15: Cervantes - Perth 220km, 2.5 hours
Head south to the Pinnacles where Tuart woodlands fill the valleys between vast areas of heath, acacia and myrtle, banksias and casuarinas. Return to Perth along the new and scenic Indian Ocean Drive.
IMPORTANT CONDITIONS: Some roads are unsealed - we highly recommend travel in a four wheel drive vehicle (4WD). When travelling in remote areas, we recommend you carry extra water and a second spare wheel/tyre. Please check local area road conditions and fuel availability locations with relevant local authorities before setting off. This itinerary is a guide only. Detailed maps are available from RAC, petrol stations, 4WD & outdoor adventure stores. Travel safely.
