Azure Sun Orchid

2012 Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show

8 - 22 September, Western Australia
                          
Opening times 9am-4pm daily ~ Admission $3.00 adults, Children free

Venue: Ravensthorpe Senior Citizens Centre, Morgans Street, Ravensthorpe ~ Wheelchair access available

Come and share the Spring beauty of the Ravensthorpe Range, the magnificent Hopetoun Coast and the Fitzgerald River and Frank Hann National Parks.

Over the last 29 years the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show has developed into one of the best shows in Western Australia. Possibly the largest number in the world of different species of named wildflowers are displayed, collected from one of the world’s richest biodiversity areas.

The Wildflower Show Shop offers many wildflower related books, cards and products, and features the work of local artists and crafts people, and a new DVD with photographs of over 200 different wildflowers for sale.

Details of other events HERE

The Ravensthorpe Herbarium, situated next door to the Wildflower Show, holds many hundred botanical specimens collected from within the Ravensthorpe Shire. Experts on the local flowers are on hand each day for identification queries.

Devonshire Teas are available each day, provided by local fund raising organisations. The comfortable surroundings of the 106 year old Ravensthorpe Community Centre will make a refreshing 'tea break' for the weary traveller.

There are spectacular drives and walks in the district. An escorted 4WD tag along tour will be scheduled through the Ravensthorpe Range (Click here for details). A brochure, available at the Visitors Centre and at the Wildflower Show, identifies 12 drives designed for viewing particular flowers. It is also illustrated with stunning photographs.

Walks: An escorted Wildflower Walk will be scheduled along The Hopetoun-Ravensthorpe Railway Heritage Walk Trail (Click here for details). This trail is made up of four sections along the old railway track between the two towns. There are plaques identifying flora and fauna and historical sites along the way. The wildflowers in spring are spectacular. Brochures with maps of each section are available.

Proceeds from the Wildflower Show are donated to partnership organisations which assist in the running of the show, the Senior Citizens and the Ravensthorpe Historical Society.

See links for details of maps, accommodation, Wildflower Expo, herbarium, products, contacts and much more....

Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show 2011, September 10-24

More details on where to find wildflowers:

The 2010 Wildflower Show exhibited over 630 different flowers, all picked from within the Shire of Ravensthorpe, 12,872 sq km. Record numbers of visitors and coaches were recorded and the added attractions of 4x4 Tag Along Tour and Guided Walk were greatly enjoyed, as were the daily Devonshire Teas provided by local community groups. The 2011 Show promises even more interesting activities.

The wildflowers in their natural habitat continue to bloom well into October and in the northern reaches of the shire, around Lake King and Frank Hann National Park, the flowering increases in intensity towards the end of spring. See below for the best places to visit:

South Coast Highway, & Ravensthorpe, Hopetoun Road : Blue damperia, Cockies Tongues, yellow trumpet, Boronia crenulata. Native hibiscus, pink kunzia, yellow featherflower verticordia, Isopogen and orchids.

Hopetoun Road, Jerdacuttup Road, Springdale, Lakes road, dark red kangaroo paws, hovea, red leschenaultia, large wax flower, assorted pea flowers, cats paws, orchids, tinsel lilly, grass trees [blackboys], chittick, banksias of various kinds. Springdale Courtyard Cafe offers a Wildflower Walk—viewing Spider Orchids.

Woodenup, Nindilbillup, Hayes Road and Elverdton Road offer splendid wildflowers.

Palarup Rock has a good show of orchids and wildflowers - see Mount Madden Scenic Drive Leaflet in the Visitor Centre for directions.

Fitzgerald River National Park from the area around the park entry and Culham Inlet - plenty of flowers can be seen within 10m of the roadside. Please note: Access into the Fitzgerald River National Park is limited due to road works at the eastern entry. The new road has been opened for the wildflower season, between Sept 5 and Oct 16, but total access is still limited. Please ask for information before experiencing disappointment at road closures.

Qualup Bell, Pimelia physodes, a shrub to 1m, commonly found with only a few bells, old plants may have up to 100 bells, can be seen at Archer Drive, Hamersley Drive & John Forrest Road (4WD) western side.

Royal Hakea, Hakea victoria a totem like structure and so many more flowers too numerous to mention along Hamersley Drive. Access via John Forest Road, Moir track (4WD can be closed after rain ring 98381277 for info) or Hamersley Drive (2WD) via South Coast Highway (43km west Ravensthorpe).

Visitors keen to walk around in the bush require clean footwear (preferably sprayed with 70% metho) to prevent dieback spread. Reptiles are active on the warm days, sturdy footwear and long clothing are suggested. Very few visitors are entering the park from the South Coast Hwy via West River Rd. It would be an ideal time for anyone who appreciates the quiet to make the effort to drive in and out via South Coast Highway.