Cape Range Wildflower Trail

From dazzling coral reefs to vibrant spring flowers, this colourful coastal journey spanning just over 3,000 kilometres is a feast of the senses. Time your seven-day adventure between June and August, when the region is in glorious bloom. And, from March to August, it’s possible to catch a glimpse of whale sharks swimming in the crystalline waters of the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. Fly from Perth into Carnarvon or Exmouth’s Learmonth Airport, or embark on a scenic two-day drive – the first section of which winds its way through the fantastic flower-field vistas of Kalbarri and World Heritage-listed Shark Bay. Having reached the Ningaloo Coast, the scent of river gums leads to Minilya’s waterways and rust-red sand dunes, where delicate wildflowers nestle among the banksia and wattle. Make a splash while diving or snorkelling in Coral Bay. Here, turtles, dolphins, dugongs and manta rays drift and dance under glass-bottom boats, and seasonal whale-watching tours offer amazing opportunities to meet the gentle giants of the Ningaloo Reef. Cast a line into the pristine waters of Giralia Bay for a leisurely afternoon of mud-crabbing and fishing for snapper, bream and trevally. Then, as dusk descends across the rugged bushland, an outback orchestra welcomes you to Giralia Station, where blistering sunsets to the sound of calling kookaburras, chirping cicadas and a crackling campfire. Spot some of the 630 varieties of wildflowers that flourish in these parts as you drive to Cape Range National Park, passing coastal plains and scrubland sprinkled with purple mulla mulla, flame-red desert peas and pretty yellow Hibbertia. Catch a tantalising glimpse of Exmouth Gulf’s turquoise waters on the steep descent into stunning Charles Knife Canyon. From here, the world’s largest fringing reef, Ningaloo Marine Park, has turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches just waiting to be discovered. You might even get the once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming with serene whale sharks, or from July to October, the opportunity to witness majestic humpback whales.