On the cusp of spring, we were on a three-day quest with around 26 other like-minded souls as ‘petal peepers’ to view some of WA’s magnificent and unique wildflowers in the Midwest.
We left Perth early on a drizzly dark morning but the sun had risen by the time we reached Yanchep National Park and morning tea. Our cheerful, knowledgeable driver-commentator Glenn, of Club 55, quickly had the trestle tables and urns out with a spread of cakes and biscuits.
Most of our group wandered off to view the koalas munching their way through gum leaves from on high or enjoyed the grounds surrounding the historic Yanchep Inn.
We then headed along Indian Ocean Drive and the fishing villages of Lancelin, Green Head, Leeman, Port Denison and Dongara, stopping for lunch at Jurien Bay where husband Peter and I enjoyed a delicious meal of local grilled fish.
Accommodation for two nights was in Geraldton and we had an early night in anticipation of the big day coming up as ‘petal peepers’, hoping to see the much-admired wreath flowers around Pindar, 30km east of Mullewa.
We hit the road with a picnic lunch, heading towards wildflower country on a sunny but cool day. It wasn’t long before small patches of everlastings unfolded as we headed towards Mullewa and morning tea.
We stopped at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic church in Mullewa, the jewel in the crown of Monsignor John Hawes’ church designs. The church, in Romanesque style, is similar to churches in the South of France and was built almost entirely by the priest-architect with help from local farmers.
Hawes kept a diary while constructing the church mentioning those who assisted him. A list of these people was compiled and included in the souvenir booklet for the golden jubilee of the laying of the foundation stone in September 1924.
Last month local residents celebrated the church’s centenary.
It was on to Pindar and the wreath flowers; turning left into Berringarra-Pindar Road, travelling 10km northeast along a dirt road with a one-way system around the wreath flowers.
There were vehicles everywhere, with people from all parts of the country admiring the delicate wreath flowers (a member of the Leschenaultia family) pushing their heads up above the red earth. People respected their beauty, stepping delicately around the flower while taking photos.
We travelled back along gravel roads next to carpets of wildflowers and were not disappointed, making our way to a camping spot near Canna for lunch. Big patches of wildflowers were breathtaking in their beauty.
Nearby we could see a tiny shack originally inhabited by English ex-serviceman Frank Ewin Macklin who worked on local farms and as a pumper at the Canna railway dams. A commemorative plaque has been erected outside his deserted shack in his honour.
Macklin retired near Canna to live alone with his dogs until his death in Mullewa Hospital in 1968 aged 85.
On our way back, we dropped into Coalseam Conservation Park where we visited the lookout over the gorge and saw more wildflowers.
Then it was back to Geraldton and the impressive HMAS Sydney Memorial overlooking the city and the Indian Ocean. A long but rewarding day.
Next day we saw carpets of bright yellow canola crops and more wildflowers as we travelled towards Three Springs, Carnamah and Moora on the way back to Perth.
A three-day feast of flowers covering 1400km showcasing WA’s unique beauty.
