Wildflower Camping Adventure – The Journey is the Destination
Some say “the journey is the destination”; and when you’re on the open road in Western Australia during wildflower season this phrase rings true.
With school holidays just around the corner it might be time to pack up the kids, hop into the caravan (or throw the camping gear in the car) and hit the road for a wildflower-based camping trip. There are more than 12,000 species of wildflower in WA, and they’re surprisingly easy to access.
When I recall camping trips with my family, the strongest memories that come to mind are of times we spent at the campsite itself: of learning how to rollerblade on the grass near our tent (all kitted out in knee and elbow-pads), spending the afternoon running around with other kids we had just met, or climbing into sleeping bags in the annex that Dad connected to our Kombi-van. But if I think harder, I come to scenes of travelling in the back seat: making up games and singing songs with my brother, waiting for the moment until we finally got to stop at a half-way house for lunch or stretch our legs in a small country town. As a kid, I remember the anticipation of approaching a rest point, and the feeling of freedom as we jumped out of the car and into the fresh air.
Those leg-stretching stops are an opportunity for adventure – to expand your kids’ horizons a little and make the journey to your campsite truly memorable. With the world’s largest collection of wildflowers currently blooming tremendously all over the state, it’s a great opportunity to teach your children about the diversity and beauty of native flora (and tire them out before the next stretch of driving!)
It’s a good idea to plan your route well if you want to get the most out of wildflower season on the road. While some wildflowers can be seen from the roadside, it’s worth taking a detour to a National Park or asking at a local tourist center to get the most out of your trip. If you’re not sure where to start, there are some great driving trail itineraries over at Australia’s Golden Outback that’ll take the stress out of planning. By the time you get to your campsite you’ll have lots to talk about with your little wildflower experts.
Where to stay? Caravan and camping sites in WA are ‘aplenty, check out a great list of caravan parks here: https://www.caravanwa.com.au/parks/
