Oh, wildflower blooming season! Wherever I lived in the world, I was looking forward to it and wanted to enjoy it to the fullest. It hasn’t changed since we moved to Sydney. Hence my goal is to be an expert in where to find the most beautiful Australian wildflowers near Sydney, and I’m sharing the result of my quest with you.
While I usually desperately wait for spring after the cold and colorless winter in Hungary, Sydney’s winters are quite pleasant, colorful and have great weather to enjoy the outdoors. Actually, they remind me a bit of spring, with warm sunshine, lush greenery (this lasts all year as most native plants are evergreen) and lots of blooming flowers. You don’t have to wait for spring to see flowers bloom, because blooming already starts in the winter months. Moreover, there are blooming species in every season.
But since telling you that “Australia’s flowers are wonderful all year” is not very helpful, let’s see which flowers to see in which season.
What is the best time to see Australian wildflowers?
Kangaroos and koalas might be famous, but Australia doesn’t only have unique animals which can’t be found elsewhere in the world. It’s home to over 24,000 species of native plants, too, many of which can’t be found elsewhere either. Lots of wonderful wildflowers are included in that list – so many that it’s hard to tell when the wildflower season in Australia is.
First of all, Australia is giant, and it lies in different climates. Wildflowers light up the deserts and grasslands of Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales between May and November each year. The wildflower season starts in the north and proceeds south.
Mount Kosciuszko is another place famous for fabulous blooms. They happen in mid-summer when the landscapes turn colorful with millions of yellow billy buttons, pink trigger plants and silver and white snow daisies.
But what I know best is the Sydney area. Since we’ve been living here, we had a chance to see all the blooms year-round. In this table we collected the most well-known flowering trees and wildflowers blooming in each month. Read further to learn more about each, and to find out where to go hiking to see them.
Month | Flowering trees | Flowering shrubs and wildflowers |
---|---|---|
January | Coastal Banksia | NSW Christmas Bush, Flannel flower, Lilly Pilly, Honey Myrtle, Lemon myrtle |
February | Coastal Banksia, Ironbark, Northern Black Wattle | Flannel flower, Lilly Pilly, Honey Myrtle, Lemon myrtle |
March | Coastal Banksia, Ironbark, Sweet Scented Wattle | Canberra bells, Flannel flower, Lilly Pilly |
April | Coastal Banksia, Ironbark, Sweet Scented Wattle | Canberra bells, Native Buttercup, Flannel flower |
May | Coastal Banksia, Ironbark, Sweet Scented Wattle | Canberra bells, Native Buttercup, Flannel flower |
June | Heath Banksia, Coastal Banksia, Ironbark, Sweet Scented Wattle, Sydney Golden Wattle | Canberra bells, Native Buttercup, Sturt’s Desert Pea, Flannel flower |
July | Golden Wattle, Heath Banksia, Gold-Dust Wattle, Ironbark, Sweet Scented Wattle, Sydney Golden Wattle | Canberra bells, Native Buttercup, Red Spider Flower, Sturt’s Desert Pea, Flannel flower, Silky Purple Flag |
August | Golden Wattle, Heath Banksia, Gold-Dust Wattle, Ironbark, Sweet Scented Wattle, Sydney Golden Wattle | Canberra bells, Native Buttercup, Red Spider Flower, Sturt’s Desert Pea, Flannel flower, Purple Coral Pea, Grevillea shrubs, Silky Purple Flag, Pink Wax Flower, Sydney boronia, Sydney Rock Orchid |
September | Golden Wattle, Black Wattle, Coast Wirilda, Gold-Dust Wattle, Ironbark, Sweet Scented Wattle, Sydney Golden Wattle | Waratah, Gymea Lily, Native Buttercup, Red Spider Flower, Sturt’s Desert Pea, Flannel flower, Honey Myrtle, Purple Coral Pea, Grevillea shrubs, Silky Purple Flag, Pink Wax Flower, Sydney boronia, Sydney Rock Orchid |
October | Golden Wattle, Black Wattle, Coast Wirilda, Gold-Dust Wattle, Ironbark, Sydney Golden Wattle | Waratah, Gymea Lily, Native Buttercup, Red Spider Flower, Sturt’s Desert Pea, Flannel flower, Lilly Pilly, Honey Myrtle, Purple Coral Pea, Grevillea shrubs, Sydney boronia, Sydney Rock Orchid |
November | Golden Wattle, Black Wattle, Coast Wirilda, Gold-Dust Wattle, Ironbark, Jacaranda (not native) | Gymea Lily, Native Buttercup, NSW Christmas Bush, Flannel flower, Lilly Pilly, Honey Myrtle, Purple Coral Pea, Silky Purple Flag, Sydney boronia |
December | Native Buttercup, NSW Christmas Bush, Flannel flower, Lilly Pilly, Honey Myrtle, Lemon myrtle, Silky Purple Flag, Sydney boronia | |
A side note: I’m delighted to learn about all the strange and beautiful Australian native plants, but I’m by no means an expert. Also, we have just recently moved to Sydney, so I’m sure I haven’t explored most of the trails where you can see magical blooms. So feel free to add more info in the comments.
Most iconic native Australian flowering trees and wildflowers near Sydney
They are nothing that I was used to. I thought I’d miss the cherry blossoms and fall colors, and I do to a certain extent. But then I bump into a fabulous grove of flowering golden wattles. Blooming season for quite a few species is surprisingly long. Ah, Australia, I can’t help but love you. Enough of the raving though, let’s see those wattle trees and the rest of the flowers instead.
Golden Wattle
Australia is home to more than 1,200 species of Acacia, also called wattle tree. Actually, the golden wattle is Australia’s floral emblem, and you can find it around Canberra, in southern New South Wales, in the Adelaide Hills and Victoria. There’s plenty in the Sydney region. They are flowering trees, producing beautiful yellow flowers from late winter until early summer.
But there are lots of more wattle trees, like the Sydney Golden Wattle, Black Wattle or Gold-Dust Wattle. (No, I can’t properly differentiate them, but they all look wonderful.)
Banksia
Banksias mean about 170 species of flowering plants. They’re heavy nectar producers and can be recognized for their characteristic flower spikes. Some are gold, red or orange, and banksias flower for an extended period. I wouldn’t say they’re the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen, but they’re quite easy to notice and recognize.
Waratah
One of the most famous Australian wildflowers is the waratah, a very special and instantly recognisable native wildflower, and the state floral emblem of New South Wales. It has vivid red flower heads which in fact are a cluster of tightly packed small red flowers, sitting atop a red-coloured base. It’s a true beauty!
They usually flower over a 4–6 week period in September and October in the Sydney region, a bit later in cooler areas. You can find it on sandstone ridges around Sydney and in nearby mountain ranges. The Curra Moors Loop Track in Royal National Park is one where you’re guaranteed to see them at the right time of the year.
Canberra Bells
Canberra bells are Australia’s native fuchsia, and I can assure you they are not only in Canberra. You can often see them on Sydney walks, too, the mass of red and cream bell-shaped flowers is a delightful sight. Canberra bell blooming is from late summer through winter.
Gymea Lily
It’s one of the most unusual Australian native plants, and you can find it only along the coast and surrounding bushland of the Sydney Basin, from Newcastle to Wollongong. It blooms in spring when the giant plant (2-4 meters) shoots out spectacular red flowers. You’ll see plenty of them along the Curra Moors Loop Track.
Lilly Pilly
Also called “Australian cherry”, this is an evergreen tree that flowers in summer, then produces edible red or purple fruit in winter.
Flannel Flower
The delicate flannel flower is endemic to the NSW south coast region. The creamy white or pink flowers bloom all year long, with a peak in spring.
Eggs and Bacon (Heathy Parrot Pea)
This small flowering shrub is one of my favorites. It’s called “Eggs and Bacon” because it has yellow-orange and red pea-shaped flowers in spring (and someone must have been hungry when giving the nickname). It grows in New South Wales and Queensland, and we saw it on almost every trail near Sydney in August and September.
Pink Wax Flower
The beautiful Pink Wax Flower is another one that we saw blooming along every trail near Sydney from late winter to early spring. They look like “the flower” from story books, with pale pink color and five petals. They are native to eastern Australia, and bees and insects love their nectar and sweet fragrance.
Red Spider Flower
Endemic to the Sydney region, the Red Spider Flower does look like a spider, only it’s a beautiful (and harmless) one. It flowers mainly from July to October, the flowers are bright red, or occasionally pink, and each “spider leg” is 2 – 4 cm long.
Sydney Boronia
A picturesque, dark pink boronia variety is the Sydney boronia, known for its extreme production of blooms throughout spring and early summer. Flowers are arranged in groups of up to 35. It’s another flower that we regularly see anywhere we walk or hike near Sydney.
Sydney Rock Orchid
Another beautiful Australian native is the Sydney Rock Orchid. It grows over a very large area of Australia, from cold to hot areas, usually amongst or on top of rocks in the bushland. It flowers in late winter and spring, and the mass display of fragrant flowers, up to 30 cm long, is quite impressive. They vary in color, ranging from white and creamy yellow to golden.
Jacaranda
Jacaranda trees are not native to Australia, but the Jacaranda blooming in Australian cities is famous enough so that I include them in this list, anyway.
Jacarandas are deciduous trees, and they turn yellow in the fall. But they’re the most spectacular in spring, with their purple, trumpet-shaped, lightly fragranced flowers that form clusters. Flowering is in November in the Sydney region, and the flowers remain on the tree for about 2 months. You find Jacaranda trees in urban areas, gardens, parks and roadsides.
Would you like to learn more about Australian plants in the Sydney region?
The “Native Plants of the Sydney Region” is written by Alan Fairley and Philip Moore, and includes descriptions and pictures of nearly 1400 plant species covering an area from Newcastle to Nowra in New South Wales.
Fairley has already published several nature books, walking guides and field guides, and Philip Moore is a retired scientist with a passion for native flora. Their book just as is great for enthusiastic bushwalkers and gardeners, and also for environmentalists, botanists or students.
Best spring wildflower walks near Sydney
Here are all those trails where we’ve seen the most impressive Australian wildflowers near Sydney:
Waratah walking track, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
The Waratah walking track is one that’s worth doing only in spring. The trail itself is a wide fire trail for the most part, not the most exciting. There’s one viewpoint at the end, but compared to any other we’ve been to in Ku-ring-gai Chase, it’s barely worth mentioning. Shade is almost non-existent which makes this hike very sweaty in the warmer part of the year.
But it’s a beautiful trail in spring! A wealth of wildflowers, flowering shrubs and trees surround you, and we were glad to soak up the late winter sunshine.
The Waratah walking track is quite obvious to follow, and the elevation gain is minimal. The short section at the end which leads to the final viewpoint is a bit narrower, but there’s still a visible path. Though the trail is 5 km one-way, you can walk as much as you like, since the real highlight are the flowers along the way, not the viewpoint at the end.
The trailhead is along West Head Road, and there’s no paved parking lot, just a small, dirt pullout. If you find it full, park on the other side of the road.
Flowers we saw along the trail in mid-August: Sydney Boronia, Red Spider Flower, Grey Spider Flower, Pink Spider Flower, Pink Wax Flower, Silky Purple Flag, Clustered Scent Myrtle, Eggs and Bacon (also called Heathy Parrot Pea)
Waratah Trail info:
- Trailhead: Waratah Trailhead, off West Head Road
- Length: 10 km return
- Difficulty: easy
The Coast walking track, Wyrrabalong National Park
Wyrrabalong National Park is on the Central Coast, north of Sydney. It’s a small park, but is home to some dramatic views and unique plants.
The Coast walking track is a 3 km long coastal trail between Forresters Beach and Bateau Bay. It’s an excellent hike to do in winter, because you can spot whales, but it’s just as impressive in spring when thousands of wildflowers bloom along the trail.
The Coast walking track offers a few viewpoints (that’s where you need to keep your eyes open for whales), but most of the trail runs in the coastal forest. Hence it’s most impressive in the whale-watching season and in spring, when plants are the most colorful. We saw countless Sydney Boronia shrubs, different wattle trees, colorful clusters of Purple Coral Pea and Pink Wax Flower. And we saw plenty of yellow, pink and white flowers we didn’t recognize.
You can start the track from either end (at the end of Cromarty Hill Road near Wyrrabalong Lookout, or at the Bateau Bay Beach parking), or even from the middle, because the Crackneck Point lookout is accessible by car, and there’s a huge parking lot right at the viewpoint.
The hike is quite easy, some of it is even paved, but you also find several series of stairs along the way (definitely not stroller-friendly).
Flowers we saw along the trail in mid-August: Sydney Boronia, Golden Wattle, Northern Black Wattle, Guinea Flower, Pink Wax Flower, Purple Coral Pea, Native Fuchsia (also called Canberra Bells)
Wyrrabalong National Park Coast Walking track info:
- Trailhead: Wyrrabalong Lookout
- Length: 3 km one-way
- Difficulty: easy
Spion Kop lookout, Brisbane Water National Park
The Spion Kop lookout is among the lesser-known trails on the Central Coast, and it treats bushwalkers with one of the most stunning coastal views in the region, overlooking Woy Woy and Woy Woy Bay.
The two lookouts at the end make this walking trail amazing any time, however, it’s more pleasant to do it in the cooler half of the year as there’s barely any shade. Also, the first section of the hike is a wide and a bit boring fire trail, but spring wildflowers make it quite delightful.
You’ll start on the Bambara Fire Trail, then continue on the Koolewong Fire Trail. The most exciting section of the track is the second half, after leaving Koolewong Fire Trail and crossing a small creek. It’s also the section that might require some navigation skills, and I recommend having a map. The trail is not signed or marked, but it’s obvious to follow for the most part, and if you’re unsure, look around carefully and check your map. The path is there.
You can see blooming all the way along the trail in late winter and spring. As the path gets narrower, flowering shrubs surround you like a tunnel sometimes. We saw countless Red Spider Flower shrubs, and also pink and gray versions of the spider flower, the dark pink of Sydney Boronia and the light pink of Pink Wax Flower. Canberra Bells are abundant at several places along the way.
The first lookout you’ll reach is the one over Waterfall Bay. As nice as this is, Spion Kop is much more impressive, and it’s just a bit further. Large rock outcroppings offer views over Woy Woy and Woy Woy Bay. You’ll find two different viewpoints, a few steps from each other, with slightly different views of the bays below.
You return to the trailhead on the same path.
Flowers we saw along the trail in mid-August: Sydney Boronia, Golden Wattle, Northern Black Wattle, Pink Wax Flower, Native Fuchsia (also called Canberra Bells), Red Spider Flower, Grey Spider Flower, Pink Spider Flower, Eggs and Bacon (also called Heathy Parrot Pea)
Red Spider Flower and Canberra Bells
Spion Kop hiking info:
- Trailhead: the crossing of Bambara Road and Woy Woy Road
- Length: 5 km one-way
- Difficulty: medium
- See the Spion Kop hike on a map here.
Piles Creek loop, Brisbane Water National Park
Brisbane Water National Park has another track that’s particularly lovely in spring, and it’s also shorter than the hike to Spion Kop. This 4 km bush walk takes you through a dry eucalypt forest along Piles Creek, passing a few cascades and crossing a suspension bridge on the way.
It’s a nice bushwalking track, with some steeper sections and the occasional series of stairs, passing under large rock overhangs and crossing gullies, a viewpoint over the gorge and a waterfall lookout. If you hike often, it won’t be anything challenging, but you definitely need proper hiking shoes. It can be a great introduction to bushwalking for families (it’s not an almost flat walk on a fire trail, but a real hike).
We saw most of the flowers in the first half of the loop, before descending to Piles Creek: lots of Sydney Boronia, Golden Wattle trees, wax flowers, spider flowers and fuchsias – and a lot more that we don’t want to misidentify for you.
The trailhead is at the Girrakool picnic area in Brisbane Water National Park, and it’s clearly marked, just like the rest of the track. You can combine the track with the Girrakool loop, which adds another 2 km.
Flowers we saw along the trail in mid-August: Sydney Boronia, Golden Wattle, Northern Black Wattle, Pink Wax Flower, Native Fuchsia (also called Canberra Bells), Grey Spider Flower, Pink Spider Flower, Eggs and Bacon (also called Heathy Parrot Pea), Clustered Scent Myrtle, Native Buttercup
Piles Creek loop hiking info:
- Trailhead: Girrakool picnic area
- Length: 4 km loop
- Difficulty: medium
Curra Moors Loop Track, Royal National Park
One of the best wildflower trails near Sydney is the Curra Moors Loop Track in Royal National Park. It’s the variety of wildflowers which make this bush walk special, so it’s best to do it in spring. However, lots of flowers bloom in the summer, as well, and some even during the winter.
We saw lots of Waratah flowers and Gymea Lilies, just to mention the most memorable ones, but a bunch of others, too, in every color you can imagine.
The trail is almost flat, though it stretches for about 9.5 km. It shares a section with The Coast Track, and we recommend a detour to Eagle Head Rock and Curracurrong Falls when you join the Coast Track.
Eagle Head Rock is a rocky outcrop that resembles an eagle’s head (surprise, I know), and it offers wonderful views of the powerful waves crashing into the tall rock wall and Curracurrong Falls. This waterfall is narrow, but what makes it spectacular is the setting: it cascades directly into the ocean from the top of the dramatic rock wall.
After the short section along the coastline, the Curra Moors Track loops back inland. It’s one of those few trails in Royal National Park where you’ll only meet a handful of people.
The parking lot is marked, and it’s along Sir Bertram Stevens Drive.
Flowers we saw along the trail in September: Waratah, Gymea Lily, Coastal Rosemary, Native Buttercup, Honey Myrtle, Pink Wax Flower, Pink Swamp Heath, Red Spider Flower, Lance-Leaf Crowea, Wedding Bush, Coral Heath, Forest Phebalium, Heath Milkwort (also called Pyramid Flower), Violet Kunzea
Curra Moors Track info:
- Trailhead: Curra Moors Trailhead along Sir Bertram Stevens Drive
- Length: ~10.5 km loop
- Difficulty: easy
- See the Curra Moors loop on a trail map here.
Botanic gardens in Sydney
If you’re looking for wildflowers in Sydney, the botanic gardens are obvious places to visit. While everyone heard about the famous Royal Botanic Garden – which is truly amazing! -, it’s not the only botanic garden in the Sydney area.
And do you know what they all have in common in addition to the stunning flower displays? They’re all free to visit.
Royal Botanic Garden
The Royal Botanic Garden is certainly one of the most popular places to visit in Sydney, and with a good reason. This 30 hectare garden is located between the Sydney Opera House and Mrs Macquarie’s Point, and it offers lovely views of the Opera House, the harbour and the CBD skyline. Moreover, the plants you find here are truly impressive.
Having visited many botanic gardens in many countries throughout the years, the Royal Botanic Garden is one of the best ones in the world. There’s a variety of trees from different parts of the world, with a strong focus on Australia and the South Pacific. You can stroll through different kinds of themed gardens, like the Pioneer Memorial Garden, the Succulent Garden, the Palace Rose Garden or the Herb Garden.
It’s one of those places in Sydney where you’re guaranteed to find something blooming any time of the year.
The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan
While the Royal Botanic Garden is busy with tourists, you’ll mostly find locals in the other botanic gardens. Like The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. This is actually the largest botanical garden in Australia and is home to over 400 species of native plants on 416 hectares.
It’s a hilly area in Mount Annan in southwestern Sydney. In addition to the beautiful flowers, you find several other themed gardens (like the Wattle Garden or Banksia Garden), lakes, large lawns and walking and biking routes. If you can’t walk several kilometers, you can also drive the loop around the garden, stop and walk around a bit at the different attractions.
Our favorite was the Connections Garden, home of the prettiest flowers in the park. We could find all the well-known Australian flowers, like Kangaroo Paw, Flannel Flower, Waratah, Gymea Lily, several species of Grevilleas, Australian Daisy, Sydney Rock Orchid or Everlastings.
Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, St Ives
The Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden in the northern suburbs of Sydney is yet another one visited mostly by locals. All the plants here are Australian natives, and while there’s no arranged flower displays, you can choose from several shorter walking trails to explore this untouched bushland, learn about it from the colorful information panels, and you might even bump into swamp wallabies.
Lamberts Clearing is an open green meadow, with a large, covered picnic area and a children’s playground. It’s a short walk away through the Banks Track from the parking lot at Cailey’s Pavilion.
The short (500 m) Senses Track is a very easy, paved walk, suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. The Banks Track is 300 meters and it takes you through a coastal upland swamp. But even the longest trails – Mueller Track (3 km) and the paved Solander Track (2 km) – are quite family-friendly. Trees and bushes are in bloom in spring. We saw spectacular Wattle trees, Pink Wax Flower, Sydney Boronia and Grevilleas.
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