Ways to Be Wild: Wildflower Quest | John Forrest

There’s a whole world of colour, clever adaptations and tiny natural treasures waiting to be discovered in John Forrest National Park... you just need to know where to look!

Grab your young explorers and join us for Ways to Be Wild: Wildflower Quest; a fun, family-friendly guided adventure that turns a walk through the bush into a real-life nature treasure hunt.

Armed with a Wildflower Heroes Quest sheet, we’ll become wildflower detectives as we search the trail for colourful blooms, tiny orchids and all kinds of botanical treasures hiding in plain sight. Each hero includes simple identification clues and fascinating facts to help curious minds learn more about the plants we discover.

Along the way, your experienced Off The Beaten Track WA guides will help bring the bushland to life. We’ll investigate flower shapes, colours, textures and habitats while learning about pollinators, plant adaptations and the fascinating relationships that help our native flora survive.

We’ll also learn how to explore gently—observing and photographing wildflowers without picking, trampling or disturbing them.

This relaxed 5km experience has been designed for families, children aged six and over, and nature-curious adults. There will be plenty of opportunities to pause, ask questions, take photographs and enjoy being outside together.

We’ll finish with herbal tea and a light morning or afternoon tea while we tally our discoveries and celebrate the heroes and unexpected treasures we found along the way.

Come and get wild and unleash your inner wildflower detective to discover just how much wonder is hiding along the trail.

Supported by Spring into Parks, a WA Parks Foundation initiative, and Lotterywest.

Includes:

• Family-friendly 5km guided Wildflower Quest
• Fun identification clues, nature challenges and interpretive stories
• Nutritious & delicious morning tea with herbal tea to fuel your adventure
• Complimentary use of hiking poles & guidance for extra support
• Sunscreen & insect repellent provided for your comfort
• Photo stops at epic viewpoints
• Access to all experience photos via our private OTBT Connect Facebook group
• Opportunities to discover and photograph WA’s unique flora and native wildlife

Fitness level:

The total walking distance is approximately 5km. Children must be aged six or over and capable of comfortably completing the distance. The experience will move at a relaxed pace, with regular stops to search for wildflowers, take photographs and learn about our discoveries. No previous hiking experience is necessary; however, all participants should have a reasonable level of fitness and wear enclosed shoes with good grip.

Parents and guardians remain responsible for supervising their children throughout the experience.

What to bring:

• Backpack with sufficient drinking water
• Personal snacks
• Camera or phone for photographs
• Personal first aid supplies and medications
• Hat and sun protection
• Insect repellent
• Enclosed walking or hiking shoes with good grip
• Raincoat and a warm layer
• A sense of curiosity and a big smile!

You may also like to download the free iNaturalist Seek App before the experience if you would like to photograph, identify and record your nature observations.

Meeting Point: John Forrest National Park Ranger Station (Google map). We recommend parking in the large car park on the right hand side (where the John Forrest Tavern use to be - Google map) and walking down to the Rangers Station/Trail Head. There are toilets available here. As this event is being held on a public holiday, please allow enough time to find parking, use the toilet and meet the Guides at the Trailhead 10mins prior to departure. 

*Please note limited phone signal in John Forrest National Park.
*Please note that National Park Entry Fees apply. 

National Park Passes: You can purchase a Day Pass on arrival at the main entry booth via the automated ticket machine (Visa / MC). Day rates are $17 per standard private vehicle (or $10 per vehicle for concession holders) for up to 12 people. You can also buy a Multi-day or Annual park pass online HERE - which will need to be printed and displayed in your vehicle windscreen. (N.B. RAC members in WA get 50% off digital Annual All Parks Passes - Visit the Member Benefits page.)

Off The Beaten Track WA is an award-winning, fully accredited Western Australian tourism business, delivering high-quality guided hiking and adventure experiences. Our trained Lead Guides and Support Guides are there to support you every step of the way, carrying two-way communication devices and a personal location beacon when mobile coverage is limited. Fully licensed and insured, we focus on creating safe, well-run and genuinely memorable experience out on the trail.