The heart and soul of Wildflower Country, 3 hours southeast from Kalbarri.
The tiny town of Mingenew in WA has only 470 residents, but a big personality. Located close to Coalseam Conservation Park, Mingenew is famous for its stunning carpets of everlasting wildflowers in spring. This shire is surrounded by farmland and nature reserves, making it a haven for experiencing the outdoors. The town also enjoys low levels of light pollution and stunning clear skies that create perfect stargazing conditions.
We’ve created this guide to Mingenew to help people learn more about this town’s incredible attractions. Feeling inspired to explore Western Australia? Then have a look at our Kalbarri Trips.
Mingenew is a sought-after destination during the wildflower season between the months of July and October. It’s famous for its stunning collection of native flowers, including everlastings, banksias, hakeas, and grevilleas, which create an explosion of colour to delight your senses.
This phenomenal display can be best seen at the Coalseam Conservation Park, located just a half-hour drive north of Mingenew. You can take a walk along the 3.2-kilometre Plateau Loop Trail to immerse yourself among the flowers and admire the incredible geology of the park. Once the first mined coal deposit in Australia, Coalseam Conservation is one of the most beautiful locations in Western Australia, well-known for its carpets of everlastings, pom poms, and orchids.
From Mingenew Hill in town, you can enjoy panoramic views of the landscape and admire the mosaic of blooming flowers while having a picnic. Another nearby wildflower hotspot is Depot Hill, where orchids thrive. You can also take a walk here and explore the World War II Army Rifle Range, where soldiers trained among a series of bunkers, one of which still remains.
It’s not just the land that comes alive in Mingenew, but the skies too. Mingenew boasts some of the darkest skies in the world and is home to the WA Space Centre. When the night falls, thousands of stars come out to shine, attracting industry professionals, astrophotographers, and space enthusiasts.
You can see galaxies, shooting stars, and the Milky Way, all with the naked eye. More professional stargazers can bring telescopes and cameras for a closer look at the planets and capture breathtaking photographs. You can also rent a telescope during your holiday from the Shire of Mingenew.
Some of the best locations for seeing the stars include Coalseam Conservation Park, Yandanooka Hall, and Mingenew Hockey Oval. Bring a blanket and a jacket and prepare to be amazed!
When you’re not gazing down at the flowers or looking up at the night sky, there is more to explore in Mingenew. This small rural town has a long and rich history worth uncovering, and at the Mingenew Museum, run by volunteers from the Mingenew Historical Society, you can learn more about the region.
Long before European settlers arrived, Aboriginal tribes lived in the area known as ‘Mininoo’ (meaning “place of many waters”) or ‘Minyanoo’ (meaning “place of many ants”). Settlers then transformed it into an agricultural town, with wheat being a primary produce. At the museum you can admire both Aboriginal artefacts and remnants of the agricultural history. If you want to learn even more, you can also follow the Mingenew Historical Walk, which visits 27 locations in and near Mingenew.
While you’re in Mingenew, you won’t want to miss getting a photo with the local wheat sculpture. Known as “Big Ears”, this sculpture in Cecil Newton Park reflects the importance of wheat farming in Mingenew, which was once known as “The Grain Centre”.
While Mingenew is a prime location for viewing wildflowers, you can explore even more of Wildflower Country nearby. Just an hour’s drive north is Mullewa, which also blooms in the springtime and is home to the rare wreath flower.
For a change of scenery, Mingenew is just a 30-minute drive east of the coastal towns of Dongara and Port Denison, divided by the Irwin River. At Port Denison, you can enjoy everything from surfing to fishing, while in Dongara you can savour a rum and gin tasting at the Illegal Tender Distillery.
The historic town of Geraldton is located over an hour’s drive from Mingenew. Here, you can dive into local heritage and culture with visits to the famous HMAS Sydney II Memorial and the St Francis Xavier Cathedral, while plunging into the waters for some snorkelling and diving.
If you’re keen on discovering the heart of Wildflower Country for yourself, you may be interested in joining our five-day Mid West Australia Wildflower Tour, where we visit Mingenew and Mullewa for guided sightseeing. Should you prefer to be in charge of your own itinerary, we can also arrange a Custom Kalbarri Tour designed just for you.
This colourful corner of Western Australia will offer you some of the best outdoor experiences imaginable. If you have any questions about our Mingenew guide, don’t hesitate to contact us!
