I know we haven't really had a winter yet on the Sunshine Coast - last year we had it on a Tuesday - but I just know we are all on the same page, when it comes to being full of the joys of Spring, as she peeps her pretty little head around the corner, ready to shower us with gorgeously coloured blossoms, slightly 'warmer' weather and some outdoor adventuring.
And, much to my delight it's once again time for the annual
Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival, signifying the celebration of the wondrous display of wildflowers we have on the Sunshine Coast. Since the Wildflower Festival's humble beginnings in 1967, this Festival has grown and a huge thanks should be directed to the support and enthusiasm of local community groups, who host the fascinating outdoor activities.
Image: Melaleuca Sieberi Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival FB
The
Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival provides
FREE public guided walks and activities across the Sunshine Coast region - from Bribie Island to Noosa National Park, keen botany walkers can immerse themselves in Mother Natures' splendid display of flowers.
For two whole weeks, from Saturday 17 August to Sunday 1 September, we have the unique opportunity to discover the diversity of native, flowering plants in our local environment. To guarantee that readers don't miss out on getting out and about to enjoy Mother Nature's floral bounty with the onset of Spring, this is a guide to what's happening, where and when. And, most importantly, how to book and where to meet.
Discover one of Caloundra's hidden jewels, Ben Bennett Bushland Park
Saturday 17 August | 9.00am to 10.30am
Thursday 22 August | 9.00am to 10.30am
Ben Bennett Bushland Park, Caloundra
Hidden Jewel is an exciting introductory short walk with the wildflowers. Come and discover one of Caloundra's
hidden jewels with the Friends of Ben Bennett Bushland Park and Wildlife Preservation Society. Please note there are two different dates for
'Hidden Jewel' at
Ben Bennett Bushland Park; please ensure the correct date/day is selected when booking.
📧 Bookings: sunshine@wildlife.org.au
Maximum of 30 participants
Meet at: Ben Bennett Bushland Park, Queen Street, Caloundra (UBD Map 100/E12)
Image: Friends of Lake Weyba FB
Monday 19 August | 9.00am to 11.30am
Lake Weyba
Friends of Lake Weyba invite keen walkers/botanists to discover the rich biodiversity and vibrancy ranging from wetlands to dry heath, on the western shores of Lake Weyba. Guide, Marc Russell, is also a conservation officer with the Sunshine Coast Council. This year's
Weyba Nature Refuge Biodiversity Walk will focus on fire management for biodiversity conservation and the impacts on native flora and fauna, following an ecological burn in the nature refuge.
📧 Bookings: friendsoflakeweyba@gmail.com
Maximum 30 participants
Meet at: Tidswell Road (off Eumarella Road), Weyba Downs, entry to pond (UBD Map 18/H11)
Image: Mooloolah River National Park Sunshine Coast Council FB
Tuesday 20 August | 9.00am to 11.00am
Mooloolah River National Park, Sippy Downs
Enjoy a journey through the wildflowers with QPWS Rangers. Walkers will be totally awe-struck with the spectacular explosion of colour as Mother Nature does what she does best. Learn some new techniques of taking a great image with your camera, or just come along to enjoy the scenic walk through this local reserve.
📧 Bookings: website events.sunshine.qld.gov.au
Maximum 15 participants
Meet at: Mooloolah River N.P. Claymore Road entrance, Sippy Downs (UBD Map 89/G4)
'Gardens offer us something beyond the material world ...'
Wednesday 21 August | 9.00am to 10.30am
Saturday 24 August | 9.00am to 10.30am
Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens, Tanawha
This is my grandson's most treasured destination for his daily walks over weekends and school holidays. The
Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens walk is an easy one, offering walkers the opportunity to experience these fabulous gardens, displaying an array of local native flowering plants.
Friends of Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens will be guiding walkers through the Botanic Gardens with inspiring ideas on how to create a patch of wildflowers at home. Walkers will receive a species list. Please note the two different dates for Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens Walks to ensure the correct date/day is selected when booking.
📧 Bookings: friendsofmrbbg@gmail.com or phone Carolyn on 0400 923 728
Maximum 25 participants
Meet at: Arts and Ecology Centre, Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, Tanawha (UBD Map 77/N17)
Image: Sunshine Coast Council FB
Thursday 22 August | 9.00am to 11.00am
Noosa National Park Headland Section, Sunshine Beach
Join
Noosa Integrated Catchment Association for a spectacular wildflower walk in the Headland Section of the Noosa National Park. Traverse through a range of different vegetation communities, including wet eucalyptus forest and dry heath. A species list will be provided to budding botanists.
📧 Bookings: admin@noosariver.com.au
Maximum 25 participants
Meet at: Noosa National Park Entrance, Parkedge Road, Sunshine Beach (UBD Map 9/Q17)
Image: Friends of Lake Weyba FB
Friday 23 August | 9.00am to 11.30am
Lake Weyba, Marcus Beach
The Friends of Lake Weyba invite outdoor adventurers on an insightful colourful walk, through the wet and dry heathland of
Marcus High Dunes with Sonia Macdonald and Robert Price. Walkers will get to enjoy fabulous panoramic views of Lake Weyba and the coast.
📧 Bookings: friendsoflakeweyba@gmail.com
Maximum 30 participants
Meet at: Hawthorn Grove, Marcus Beach (UBD Map 19/K20)
Image: Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival FB
Friday 23 August | 2.00pm to 4.00pm
Girraween Nature Refuge, Noosa Junction
Noosa Integrated Catchment Association guides will assist walkers to discover wildflowers and a wide selection of vegetation in dry and wet heathland. The walk distance for the Girraween Nature Refuge Walk is 1.5km return. A species list will be provided to walkers.
Bookings: admin@noosariver.com.au
Maximum 25 participants
Meet at: At the end of Dame Patti Drive, near the corner of Columbia Drive, Sunrise Beach (UBD Map 19/H1)
Wallum Wedge Pea
When enjoying the outdoors it's important to be prepared, so here are some recommendations:
– Wear comfortable protective clothing;
– Slip, slap, slop some sunscreen. Insect repellant for wet areas is a great idea;
– Wear a hat;
– Wear closed-in footwear suitable for the activity;
– Most trails are soft sand so care and a reasonable level of fitness will be required;
– Pack wet weather gear in case it rains;
– Bring a bottle of water and a snack;
– Bring your binoculars for bird watching activities;
– Many Wallum areas are often waterlogged, so if you have gum boots, bring them along; and
– Don't forget the camera!
Bookings are absolutely essential for the
FREE Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival Guided Walks and Activities, particularly as spaces are limited and no additional participants can be catered for on these walks.
Not quite what I had in mind! Image: JulianBatz > Pixabay License
into action, dust off the hiking boots and get ready for some fabulous outdoor wildflower adventures!
Images courtesy of author unless otherwise indicated
