Camping, hiking and 4WDriving in Western Australia

Beringbooding Rock

Beringbooding Rock, 65km north east of Mukinbudin in the Eastern Wheatbelt is an interesting place to visit. It is known for having the largest rock water catchment tank in Australia. Built in 1937, the water tank holds over two million gallons of water. There is a low wall around the perimeter of mostly flat rock that catches rain water and directs it to the tank.

People walking on top of Beringbooding Rock in the Wheatbelt — The largest water catchment tank in Australia

Apart from this water tank, there are other interesting things to see along 2.3km circuit route around and over the rock. I found the sight of an enormous balancing boulder very fascinating.

While I was busy taking pictures of the boulder, our kids spent time near the tall cairn. The youngest, Ilusha said that everyone who passed by, put a small rock to add to this tower. Logical thinking!

Among other attractions, there are some smaller rocky outcrops, a cave, a gnamma hole (natural water hole) and beautiful views of the surrounding country from the top of the rock. The walk over the rock is relatively easy. Shire of Mukinbudin has also provided picnic and free camping facilities with tables and flushing (!) toilet at the base of the rock.

Billiburning Rock

Billiburning Rock was our favourite out of the 4 rocks in Wheatbelt area that we visited during our 9 day holiday through the Wildflower Country and Wheatbelt. Being 35km north of Beacon (the closest town), it is a bit out of the way and thus less popular than other rocks. We were happy to have a lot of space for ourselves with fantastic views.

Camping

The view of the campground from Billiburning Rock

Billiburning Reserve has 3 camping sites, located at the base of the Billiburning Rock. The first one (Gecko Grounds) is an open space, suitable for large vans and caravans. To get to the second (Echidna Expanse) and third ones (Kangaroo Corner), you would need to drive around the rock, crossing a small section of the rock (10 meter section).

Each of the other two sites are rather small, enough for 4-5 campers each, offering the views of the rock on the left and the views of the bush with abundant wildflowers on the right. There is a drop toilet and a water tank next to it with non-drinking water between sites 2 and 3.

We stopped at Echindna Expanse site (number 2) which we shared with another camper for the first night and had it all to ourselves for the second night. The place being so serene, pristine and inviting that we did stay 2 nights there.

Enjoying our time at Billiburning Rock during the day and night

We climbed over the rock to take the pictures of the sunrise.

Then we climbed it again during the day. Later we marvelled at the way the rock looked when the setting sun was casting its last rays onto it, making the colours of the rock look warm and orange. When the sun set, the colours turned cold and blue.

Flora and fauna

Billiburning Reserve is home to many wildflowers.

It is a great spot to observe wildlife.

And of course, no camping experience is complete without a campfire under the stars!

Millions of stars and the Milky Way is what you see in the outback at night.

Wildflowers along the road in the Wheatbelt

Glischrocaryon aureum wildflower growing along the road in the Wheatbelt

Can you find wildflowers along the road as you drive in the Wheatbelt? Yes! Sometimes there is no need to go and look for wildflowers specifically. As we drove from one rock to another in the Wheatbelt, we stopped frequently, each time spotting some wonderful and unusual wildflowers. Below is just a small selection of the wildflowers we have seen.

Dampiera spicigera wildflowers along the road in the Wheatbelt — Dampiera spicigera

Ptilotus obovatus Cotton bush wildflower along the road in the Wheatbelt — Dampiera spicigera

Photo at the top of the post – Glischrocaryon aureum.

Wireless Hill Park

If you are looking for a place to see wildflowers around Perth, Wireless Hill Park in Ardross is one such place. It is a bushland that has been reserved for the communication station (operated between 1912 and 1968), thus not open for housing development and this is what made the bushland thrive. The Park has a dedicated wildflower walk with informative signs (thanks to the Friends of Wireless Hill volunteers for looking after the park and the plants). park also has a picnic area, a nature-based playground and Telecommunications Museum. The kids enjoyed their play, while I admired wildflowers. Perfect afternoon!

There are a lot of kangaroo and cat’s paw flowers in the park.

A variety of different orchids is another highlight of Wireless Hill Park. Wild orchids are delicate, quite small and easy to miss. But when you spot one, kneel down and take time to look, you will see intricate beauty and uniqueness of nature’s creation.

Pansy Donkey orchids are quite common while Jug Orchids (above) are more difficult to find.

Caladenia arenicola – Carousel Spider (above left). Lyperanthus serratus rattle beak orchid (above centre). Pink Fairy Orchid Caladenia latifolia (above right).

Ellis Brook Valley Reserve

Ellis Brook Valley Reserve is recognised as the richest wildflower location in Perth Metropolitan area. It is home to over 550 varieties of spring flowers.

Wildflowers at Ellis Brook Valley Reserve

The best time to visit the park is during spring when most of the widlflowers are blooming. It can be very hot in summer and sometimes the park is closed during hottest time.

One of the most fascinating wildflowers in Ellis Brook Valley Reserve for me was Drosera. It is the plant that loves insects and insects love this plant :). Drosera (or Sundews) capture and digest insects using their long tentacles with a sticky gland on top. These droplets look like dew glistening in the sun (hence the name Sundew). They are very pretty to human eye, and attractive to insects. The glands also produce enzymes to digest the insects. How creative nature can be!

Birdlife

The reserve is home to a lof of birds, including splendid fairy wrens, cockatoos and honeyeaters.

Splendid Fairy Wren at Ellis Brook Valley Reserve

Walking trails

Ellis Brook Valley Reserve is also an excellent hiking place. There are four hiking trails of various length and difficulty. Reserve also has picnic facilities with bbqs, picnic tables and toilets (toilets are only at Honeyeater Hollow carpark).

Sixty Foot Falls trail might be short (only 2km loop) but it is the most challenging due to steep climb. But it is definitely worth the view from the top, as well as the journey. It looked quite magnificent in September with the water flowing at the waterfall. The trail starts and finishes at Valley Head car park.

Views of the Perth City on top of Sixty Foot Fall at Ellis Brook Valley Reserve

Blue Wren Ramble trail is an easy 2.8 return hike from Honeyeater Hollow or Valley Head car park. It is the best hike to view bunny orchids, as well bird life, as the name suggests.

Eagle View trail is an easy and short trail, accessible form Honeyeater Hollow carpark. It provides good view of the swam coastal plain. Beautiful Verticordia acerosa and donkey orchids can be found along the trail.

There is also an easy 500 meter loop walk trail through the wandoo woodlands from the Honeyeater Hollow carpark.

Location

Ellis Brook Valley is located on Rushton Road in the suburb of Martin, in the Gosnells region and is half an hour drive from Perth. The opening hours are from 6am to 7pm daily, excluding those days when there is total fire ban. Entry to Ellis Brook Valley reserve is free.

Wreath flowers at Pindar (near Mullewa)

Wreath flowers (the scientific name is Lechenaultia Macrantha) are very rare and unique flowers which only grow in the Mid-West region of Western Australia. They flower between August and October, depending on seasonal rainfall. These circular shape low lying plants grow on sandy soils, often on the side of the road. One of the biggest displays of wreath flowers can be found near Pindar, east of Mullewa (mainly along Pindar-Beringarra Road). Tourists go there in big numbers, cars lining up, just to see these beautiful flowers, which grow there on the side of the road.

It was my dream to see these unique and unusually shaped flowers. So, I planned a trip around the Wildflower Country, which included visiting Coalseam Conservation Park, Depot Hill near Mingenew and Mullewa. We parked our car on one side of Pindar-Beringarra Road, following the directions from the Mullewa Visitor Centre and then walked across, through a small patch of bush to the parallel road to find the wreath flowers. The track was very picturesque by itself – especially the combination of blue Native Cornflower (Brunonia australis), yellow Waitzia acuminata (Orange immortelle) and orange Bush Pomegrante (Cheyniana microphylla). That place is full of colours, shapes and is just pure delight.

Seringia hermanniifola Crinkle Leaf Firebush

But of course, wreath flowers are the main attraction.

Have you seen these beautiful flowers yet? Share your experience with us!

Depot Hill

A 12km drive northwest of Mingenew in the Mid West region of WA is a magnificent reserve of Depot Hill. It is a wonderful place to spot many wildflowers all year around, but especially during wildflower season. Pink, orange, yellow, white, purple, violet – this place was full of colour when we visited it at the end of September. A stunning display of wildflowers in their natural environment.

Calytrix brevifolia at Depot Hill — Calytrix brevifolia

Conostylis candicans at Depot Hill — Calytrix brevifolia

Depot Hill is also a place of historical s significance. Following the bush trail all the way up through the reserve, you will find World War II Army Rifle Range with one remaining bunker there.

The bush walk was easy and very pleasant. Allow minimum 30 minutes for a return walk, but if you are a wildflower or photography enthusiast, you’ll probably spend a lot more time in this beautiful reserve – tranquil, yet very alive and vibrant.

If you are wondering where you can stay while visiting Depot Hill, we recommend camping at Coalseam Conservation Park, which is also another stunning place to view wildflowers.

Everlastings, coal, paper planes and other attractions at Coalseam Conservation Park

Located 33km north of Mingenew, Coalseam Conservation Park is best known for its stunning display of wildflowers, especially everlastings, which are best seen in August-September. Even though we missed the prime time of the wildflowers blooming by about 3 weeks, due to work and study commitments, we still enjoyed what was left of them. In fact, there is a certain beauty in the dried everlastings – maturity combined with beauty of gold.

Coalseam is also rich in history and geology. It is the site of the first mined coal deposit in Western Australia, and exposed bands of coal seams can still be seen. The coal there turned out to be of not high enough quality to mine profitably, so the mines was eventually closed and the reserve became Coalseam Conservation Park. The part of the reverse near Johnson Shaft was turned into Miner’s camp ground.

Camping at Coalseam Conservation Park

There are two campgrounds at Coalseam Conservation Park. We stayed at Miner’s camp which was very popular when we arrived on 25 of September, just at the beginning of school holidays. We were lucky to get one last out of 25 spots at around 4pm in the afternoon. Our lovely and friendly camphosts collected our money ($11 per adult, $3 per child – prices back in 2021), car registration and other necessary information. For those fees we enjoyed a spacious site to park our 4WD and caravan, beautiful views all around, clean drop toilet, company of the neighbours and communal fire every night. I would imagine this place looks absolutely stunning during the peak of wildflower season but it still looked very pretty even at the end of the season.

Miner’s Camp at Coalseam Conservation Park

Not just the wildflowers

With 3 days to stay at Coalseam, we had plenty of time to go for numerous walks around. Going for a walk is not only a relaxation, exercise and leisure, it is also an opportunity to explore the area and see the beauty and extraordinary around us…. like the beautiful tapestry of the spider web .

Kids found their own entertainments during our stay at Coalseam. One of the new fun games they discovered was building and shooting paper rockets. Some of the rockets flew as high as 60 meters up! What a thrill! Thank you, Daddy Brian for teaching the kids this fun activity.

Can you fly a paper rocket 60 meters high?

Kids also played with freesbie and….. a shoe! Can you spot a flying shoe? 🙂

Have you found where the shoe has gone? 🙂

The night skies in the outback are dark and full of stars. It is such a relaxing and rewarding experience to look at the Milky Way and spot occasional stars falling.

Night skies at Coalseam Conservation Park

Lookouts and walking trails in Coalseam

There are a few other things to see and places to visit apart from wildflowers in Coalseam Conservation park. 2km away from the Miner’s camp, there is Irwin River Lookout. An easy 500 meter loop walk to the cliff edge provides spectacular views over the Irwin River.

Below it (you would need to drive back and around to reach it) is River Bend, where you can view the banded layers in the cliff above. It is a nice picnic spot with bbq and toilets.

Seeing a snake is always a little bit terrifying but also exciting! After all, it is an opportunity to see it in their natural environment. We saw this Stimson’s python (also known as Children’s python) on our way to Irwin River Lookout, about 2km away from the Miner’s campground.

Best waterfalls around Perth – Lesmurdie Falls

Lesmurdie Falls, located within Mundy Regional park, approximately 22km east of Perth, in the hills, is one of the most spectacular waterfalls around Perth. You can view this 50 meter waterfall from a number of a places within the park, approaching it from the top or the bottom.

We started our day with the Cascade trail – a centrally located, 300 meter trail. As we walked along, admiring many different cascades, we absorbed the sounds of nature – the gurgling of the flowing water, the cheerful chirping of the birds and crackling of the dry leaves under the feet. It was a bright sunny day but without the heat of summer.

After the lunch we walked to the top of the Falls, where there are a couple of viewing platforms.

Then we hiked down to the bottom of the Falls (2km return trail) to get the best view of the Falls. It was a picturesque trail, where we spotted lots of wildflowers and a kookaburra.

Lesmurdie Falls is a great place to go hiking, relax and enjoy nature. Spring is the ideal time to visit, when waterfall is flowing and wildflowers are blooming.

While we do not have dogs, I must mention that it is a dog friendly place.

What a wonderful day, full of impressions and exercise, it was!

Enjoying our family time at Lesmurdie Falls

History, waterfalls and wildflowers at John Forrest NP

John Forrest National Park is rich in history, natural beauty and wildflowers. It is Western Australia’s first (and Australia’s second) national park. It was declared as National Park back in 1900 by WA’s first Premier Sir John Forrest and renamed as John Forrest National Park in 1947 to honour the great politician and explorer. The park is located in the Perth Hills, approximately 30km east from the city centre.

The State’s main railway passed through the park until its closure in 1966. Now it is a Heritage Trail where you can see famous Swan View Tunnel. It is a 2.2km from the picnic area.

Swan View Tunnel at John Forrest National Pakr — Water dops from the ceiling

Inside Swan View Tunnel at John Forrest National Park — Water dops from the ceiling

The park has a number of hiking trails, ranging from easy 300m Promenade loop around a small nature based playground to 16km loop trail.

The Promenade trail with man made waterfalls and nature based playground.

Playground at John Forrest National Park — The Promenade trail with man made waterfalls and nature based playground.

There are two natural waterfalls within the park, bbq and picnic facilities.

People watching waterfall at John Forrest National Park — National Park Falls – 1km from the picnic area

Waterfalls at John Forrest National Park — National Park Falls – 1km from the picnic area

The park is rich in flora and has about 490 species of plants. Late winter and spring are particularly good times to view spectacular display of wildflowers.

We enjoyed our visit to John Forrest National Park. It is a great place to visit over the weekend to learn about history, hike, relax and admire the views.

People walking at John Forrest National Park

Kids laughing at John Forrest National Park

Looking for more places to visit with wildflowers or waterfalls around Perth? Check out our blogs.