Take a short drive, a free CAT bus ride, or a 15-minute walk from the Perth Central Business District to Kings Park and Botanic Garden (Kaarta Koomba). It’s one of the largest inner city parks in the world and home to the colourful spring wildflowers of more than 1,700 unique native plant species from across the State. Join a free guided walk, or pick up a map from the Information Centre and explore the park’s 400 hectares at your own pace. The most popular trail takes you into the treetops along the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, taking in some of the best views of Perth’s city skyline along the way. For lunch, picnic in the grounds or visit one of the park’s cafes or restaurants. Heading north from Perth via the Mitchell Freeway and Marmion Avenue, or Wanneroo Road, the drive to Yanchep takes less than an hour from Perth. Take an afternoon walk on one of nine walk trails in Yanchep National Park to see the resident kangaroos, koala colony, birds and wildflowers of the woodlands and wetlands. Among the tuart trees, grass trees and banksias, you may spot one-sided bottlebrush, yellow buttercups, blue-flowering hardenbergia, parrotbush, honeymyrtles and the Yanchep rose between September and October. Enjoy dinner with the kangaroos at the Yanchep Inn, or head back to the city and seek out Perth’s award-winning chefs. Check out the Australian Good Food Guide for restaurant options.