Please note: We generally run this tours on a Tuesday or Thursday but alternative days may be arranged please contact us via [email protected] or +61 401 840 516 to change the dates. The exact dates of the start of wildflower tours depends on Mother Nature but the approximate season is late July to October. 

This tour will run with a minimum of 2 people. 

Join us on this small group tour ( maximum of ten people or a private tour can be arranged on request) as we head towards areas within easy travel distance from Perth that have provided us with the best opportunities to find a wide variety of orchids and wildflowers that Western Australia is so famous for.

We will be heading from Perth to various country locations depending on the best locations for the flowers each week. These locations may include Perth Hills, Chittering Valley, Toodyay, Moora and York areas.

We will include transport, bottled water, a picnic lunch and input from a professional photographer. 

All of our destinations have not disappointed us in the past but of course we can not guarantee exactly what we will find although we have had many years experience in finding the best locations. Wildflowers, especially orchids, are sometimes there one day and gone the next but you will see a variety of flowers nonetheless. 

All levels of photography are catered for from beginner to professional, phone, point and press cameras to the latest DLSR model. We have knowledge of different makes and models of camera including full framed, cropped sensor and micro four thirds. We can provide tripods if required. 

We provide for yourself or your party:

Transport to and from our pickup points from Midland Station or Currumbine Stations depending on the direction of travel. We will notify you of our pickup points on booking (hotel pickup can be arranged at a small fee) 

Water, Morning tea, Picnic lunch and afternoon tea

Photographic input from a professional photographer

Park entry fees if applicable 

Please note this tour requires 2 people to run.  A private tour can be organised if you want to guarantee departure. A private tour can be customised to your requirements and be extended to overnight or multi day tour which could include Wave Rock.

Dryandra National Park is a important conservation area covers 28,000 hectares, tis about 2 hours drive south east of Perth surrounded by as it is by agricultural land it has become an island of wildlife. Special measures have been made here to reduce the numbers of feral animals like cats and foxes which is helping to protect the native wildlife numbers. Whilst we can never guarantee which of the animals we will see on the day in the past we have seen the endangered numbats, echidnas, kangaroos, kookaburra, yellow footed mouse (mardo) and emus. 

This biodiversity hotspot has wandoo and jarrah woodlands with wildflower displays in spring including orchids. There are also areas of dryandra trees which are a similar to the banksia trees know throughout Australia. The woodland has areas of walking and self drive trails most of which date back to when the area was used historically for the timber for construction and furniture. 

Our tour pick up and drop off point will be Kenwick Train Station (Albany Highway) at approximately 8:30 am so that we can make a swift exit of the metro area without getting too impacted by rush hour traffic. The price includes transport, morning tea, picnic lunch, water and photographic input by professional photographer, Anna-Mair Francis

If these dates do not suit you please contact me for alternatives. If you would like to make this a private tour or customise it in any way contact me on [email protected] or +61 (0)401 840 516. 

Our pick up for this tour will be Midland Station and end into Perth Hills on our way down to Dryandra. We will stop at several bush reserves on our way down to Dryandra in search of Orchids and other wildflowers. We can expect to find various spider, enamels and bird orchids. 

Dryandra National Park is a very special place known to a healthy population of the amazing numbats plus other animals like echidnas.Whilst we can never guarantee seeing animals in the wild we have been lucky in sighting both numbats and echidnas on most of our visits to the woodlands. Dryandra will offer us wildflowers plus groves of the unusual dryandra tree which is of the banksia family but looks quite different. 

The National Park is home to Barna Mia, a large enclosed bush area which is designed to protect several endangered mammals such as bilby, woylie, mala, quenda and boodie whose population has been decimated by feral animals. We will join a nocturnal tour to photograph some of wonderful little creatures. 

Our second day will start with time in a large bush reserve in Narrogin known for a large variety of wildflowers before we return to Dryandra for a second chance with the Numbats. After a picnic lunch we will start our return journey to Perth stopping a couple more reserves along the way. 

We will be staying in an historic 3 x1 cottage in Narrogin with each room having a queen & single bed idea for twin share. We can match you with another person of the same sex but if you want the room just for yourself then there is a single option. If however you would rather not be in shared house then please contact me for a price to stay at the local hotel or motel. 

The price includes transport from the pick up point (Midland Station) to drop of point (Kelmscott Station); meals on tour (2 picnic lunches, BBQ dinner & breakfast); tea/coffee/water; entry to Barna Mia Nocturnal Experience; accommodation in a shared 3x1 cottage plus guidance and photographic input from Anna-Mair Francis

Join us on this small group tour (Minimum of 2 and maximum of ten people or a private tour can be arranged on request) as we head towards locations close to Perth that have provided us with the best opportunities to find a wide variety of orchids and wildflowers that Western Australia is so famous for. If the day of tour does not suit you please contact me to see if we can change the day to suit you. Private tours can be arranged to suit your requirements. Please contact me on [email protected]. 

We will include transport, bottled water, afternoon tea and input from a professional photographer. 

All of our destinations have not disappointed us in the past but of course we can not guarantee exactly what we will find although we have had many years experience in finding the best locations. Wildflowers, especially orchids, are sometimes there one day and gone the next but you will see a variety of flowers nonetheless. 

All levels of photography are catered for from beginner to professional, phone, point and press cameras to the latest DLSR model. We have knowledge of different makes and models of camera including full framed, cropped sensor and micro four thirds. We can provide tripods if required. 

We provide for yourself or your party:

Transport to and from our pickup points (they change depending on the direction of travel). We will notify you of our pickup points on booking. In the past we have used Gidgegannup, Mundaring, Midland or Cockburn Stations as pickup points (hotel pickup can be arranged at a small fee) 

Water and afternoon tea

Photographic input from a professional photographer

Our amazing 3 hour tour starting from and returning to Toodyay visitors centre, will take us to some  different areas around Toodyay that often offer us amazing displays of wildflowers*. 

These tours are designed to coincide with the Merredin Link on Monday, Wednesday and Friday but if you would like a tour on a different  day contact us directly for availability or check out other tours available on this page. 

We will take you to areas that are off the beaten track and show you many different varieties of Wild flowers and orchids (when they are out) which to the untrained eye can be difficult to spot even when you are in the right location. 

We have many years experience of exploring this area and will make the most of the time you have available.

*Whilst we know some of the best areas around Toodyay to find orchids and wildflowers we can not guarantee what you will see. 

We will supply morning tea and get you back to Toodyay so you can get yourself a late lunch and have an explore around town before your return train journey. 

Our tour will begin at your hotel or from a agreed convenient pick up point for locals. We will start our tour in a local park gives us an interesting view of the City over it's lake plus a waterfall* and numerous birds. From here we will head towards the iconic Blue Boatshed (one of the most photographed buildings in Perth) before exploring more of Matilda Bay. Here we have a beautiful vista of Perth across the river plus the opportunity to photography locals at leisure as it's often used for picnics and water based activities. The University of WA is straight over the road and offers some splendid architecture and fauna.

We will stop for a light lunch near the Old Mill before we head to South Perth and walk along the foreshore taking photographs of the city and the quirky sculptures nearby. You can choose will catch the ferry to Elizabeth Quay and explore for yourself this area, which has a water playground, promenades and carousel or we will returning you to your original pickup point. 

*The waterfall is manmade and sometimes not running

We will travel through parts of the Wheatbelt north of Perth visiting many nature reserves and places of natural beauty and historic interest. At this time of year we can expect to see many varieties of Australian orchids, other wildflowers and hopefully the stunning wreath flower. 

This tour will run with a minimum of 2 people

Day 1 

The tour will begin at Midland Train Station at 8am (you are welcome to park/ meet us in Gidgegannup if you wish - exact location will be given to you once you have booked, or contact us directly for the cost of a pick up from your accommodation)

From here we will head North towards Moora stopping at a nature reserve along the way before arriving in time for morning tea. We will then go to a reserve in the area before continuing our journey North, stopping at an area renowned for its everlastings and other spring flowers and orchids. We will arrive at our accommodation for the next 3 nights, a homely farm cottage near Perenjori, in time for dinner.   L,D

Day 2

We will depart our accommodation after breakfast and spend the day exploring some lesser known local nature reserves that have not disappointed us in the past. We have found many different species of orchids and wildflowers as well as everlastings. We will return to our accommodation in time for sunset. 

After dinner we will head outside to do some Astro photography (weather permitting). The farm is in a totally dark sky area so it's perfect for photographing the Milky Way has several locations that give us great foreground interest for Astro.  B,L,D

Day 3

Today we will head north stopping at a couple of nature reserves that are well known for their spring flowers. We will then continue to Coalseam Conservation Park (if we have confirmation of flowers in bloom) in time for lunch or continue with exploring the numerous nature reserves in the area. Time permitting we will visit an old homestead which has rustic farm equipment and a ruined building.

(If we have not done Astro on the previous day we will do it tonight - weather permitting). B,L,D

Day 4

Today we will say goodbye to our farm home and head back towards Perth. 

We will stop at several reserves, including a couple of granite out crops which are known to be home to several varieties of wild flowers including reserves around Wongan Hills. 

We will arrive back at the Midland Train Station by approximately 6pm and Gidgegannup 30 minutes later. B,L

Abbreviations: B Breakfast; L Lunch: D Dinner

Please note:

The itinerary is subject to change depending on access and local advice on flowers in bloom. Wildflowers are wild and therefore subject to the forces of nature. They are unpredictable blooming one day and gone the next. We know many great spots for wildflowers and have been very successful in the past in finding orchids and other flowers, we can't guarantee what we will find. 

We hope to see wreath flowers on all trips but this is more likely in September and a larger variety of orchids is normally in bloom in August.

All levels of photographer are welcome. If you wish to bring a non photographer with you they will be made welcome but will either have to join us on the road and have the patience to go at the rate of the photographers or be happy to stay at the farm for the day with a good book or a jigsaw puzzle. A small discount will apply if they do not require any photographic input and share the room with the photographer, please contact for details at [email protected]

What's included:

Transportation from Midland or Gidgegannup.

Accommodation in a homely cottage on a farm (*shared bathroom and toilet)

All meals as listed

Bottled water/tea/coffee

Photographic input and tuition from Anna-Mair Francis

Entry fees

What's not included:

Snacks

Alcohol (you may bring some if you wish)

Pick up can be arranged (contact us directly for cost)

If you wish to hire a tripod you can do so for $10

Travel insurance

Travel expenses to and from Perth; 

Pre and post tour accommodation (we can arrange hotel accommodation in Midland,please enquire for details); 

All other private expenses (e.g.  camera batteries, memory cards, any other purchases); 

Tour Information

Fitness: We will be doing some bush walking over some rocky ground so a moderate level of fitness is required. Orchids grow at low levels so for the best shots you need to be able to bend or kneel down to get the shots. A camping stool can help to get lower if you are unable to do this. 

Vehicle & Equipment: Our tour vehicles are chosen for comfort and ability to go over all terrains. They are fully checked and covered by all state government requirements for Passenger Transport Vehicles. 

Single Travellers: On Capture the Light Photographic Tours single travellers will be allocated a room to themselves in the cottage if you pay the single supplement but will still have to share the bathroom and toilet. If you are happy to share a room with another single of the same sex we will try and match you with someone and then the single supplement will not apply but if we can not match you with another single then the single supplement will be applied. 

Accommodation:
*Accommodation on this tour is a comfortable homely cottage on a farm. It sleeps up to 10 people (5 bedrooms) with shared bathroom facilities configured as 1 king bed, 2 Queen beds and 2 twin bed rooms or a 3 bedroom cottage (3 bedroom 1 queen, and 2 twin bed rooms) with shared bathroom. 

Meals: All meals are included throughout the tour - including morning tea. There will be fresh fruit and water available throughout the day. Please contact us directly if you have a special dietary requirement so that we can cater accordingly.

Weather: This tour runs during the wildflower season which is through the Winter/Spring. It is generally between 16 - 18 degrees during the day but can get quite cool at night with temperatures going as low a 3 degrees. 

Clothing: You will need closed in shoes with a good grip. Layers are a good idea as the temperature changes during the day. Waterproofs and an umbrella are also recommended as it does rain at this time of the year.

As we will be spending a lot of time at low levels it is a good idea to bring a kneeling pad ( we do have some you can borrow if you wish)

Customising your own tour means that you can have everything you would like to do and see without sharing the experience with strangers. We can go at your pace so that you can slow as you like and not having to keep up with the masses. 

Choose from one day tour to as many days as you want to travel for. We will arrange your accommodation, transport, most meals (on a guided tour), entry fees, activities and photographic input. Each itinerary will be priced according to the content and duration so please send me an enquiry via my email below and start a conversation. Although the initial contact comes at no cost, a non refundable charge of $AUD 550 will be invoiced to you for me work on producing your itinerary. If you book the tour this amount is considered part of your deposit and will be taken from your final balance. If your tour is more complexed or for a large group involving more research and background work for me than that amount will double but again will come off your final balance if you go ahead with the tour. 

Whilst most of our tours are guided by Anna-Mair Francis I have also organised self guided tours for clients within Western Australia and other states & territories. I have many contacts with other tourism business so can arrange extra experiences such as scenic flights (with the doors off if you want uninterrupted views), cruises to view sealife or swim with seals or whale sharks, hot air ballooning and many other amazing experiences. 

Whilst Western Australia has something to offer all year around there are better times to come here to see different things. Western Australia spectacular has over 12,000 species of wildflowers of which 60% which exist nowhere else on Earth. We have landscapes which are incredible, Wave Rock, Numbang National Park (the Pinnacles), Karijini National Park and the whole of the Kimberley is a photographers dream. Our South West coast perfect at any time with its beautiful secret coves and beaches, vineyards, forests and picturesque country town. I can organise an Australian 'Safari' as we have a wide variety of wildlife that can be seen in the wild from seals, dolphins, whales and whale sharks on the coast to animals like echidnas, kangaroo, emus, numbats and many more.  Whilst wildflowers can be seen most of the year most, including our exquisite orchids flower, mostly between June-November, our Winter and Spring. The far North of the State, the Kimberley region experiences a Wet & Dry season and is only fully accessible in the Dry between May-October.  Summers (November- February) in the North of the State can get very hot and dry meaning areas like Karijini National Park are often closed. Please get in touch with me before booking any flights to Australia so that we can guarantee that you can see the areas that you want to visit. Western Australia has some of the darkness skies in the world so is ideal for astrophotography with the Milky Way is visible during the Winter and Spring. A combinable of wildflower and Astro tour works very well. 

I welcome the opportunity to produce a tour for your camera club, wildflower society, bird watching group or other organisation that wants to see Western Australia in a different way. The price can end up with you having a tour which per head ends up very competitive and it will be organised by someone with not only has great photographic knowledge and skills but is also so much local knowledge of the State and wildflowers as well as being fully licenced, insured and accredited with Quality Tourism Western Australia. 

Contact Anna-Mair Francis via [email protected] or call +61 (0)401 840 516 remembering that Perth uses GMT+8 time zone. I am on WhatsApp.