The world's biggest wildflower show is blooming in Australia - here's where to go

Plus three other things Explore is loving this week.

Wildflowers in Western Australia. Picture by Tourism Western Australia

Updated August 26, 2025, first published August 24, 2025

The endless expanses of wildflowers in Western A ustralia - the biggest display on Earth with more than 12,000 species - is a great excuse to head west. Hit the Granite Loop Wildflower Trail between now and the end of September for an 843-kilometre Perth-return road trip that'll take you to an unabashed display of hues against the backdrop of WA's famous Rock Waves. The Esperance Wildflower and Southern Wonders Wildflower trails south of Perth offer a longer, later season (between September and November). Visit westernaustralia.com for more information. And for more on WA in this issue, see Two Ways to Go on page 22.

A wilderness unveiling

One of the nation's most photogenic hideaways, Pumphouse Point, has unveiled two new retreats in its Tasmanian World Heritage wilderness location. About 2.5 hours north-west of Hobart, the property has been home to 12 rooms in a historic pumphouse on Lake St Clair (on a pier about 250 metres from the shore) and six rooms in the Shorehouse. The new standalone retreats - with king-sized beds, separate sitting areas, and massive windows with views of the lake and the pumphouse - are set on the lake's edge amid native bushland. Per night packages with all-inclusive dining, drinks and mini-bar start at $1950 for two. pumphousepoint.com.au

One of the new retreats at Pumphouse Point.

Overseas travel's new record

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Australians are more enthusiastic than ever for international travel, taking 12.26 millions trips overseas last financial year - the highest on record, according to the ABS, and an increase of more than 1.2 million trips (or 11.6 per cent) on the year before. The top five destinations were Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, the US and China, with Japan overtaking the US and China moving up two places into fifth spot.

Wellness in the hinterland

Three thermal pools heated to 38 degrees, two cold plunge pools at a refreshing 12 degrees and two magnesium float caves infused with a detoxifying concoction of salts are at the heart of SOL Elements bathhouse, which has just opened on the banks of a lake at Tamborine Mountain Glades in the Gold Coast hinterland. The beautifully designed sanctuary accommodates a maximum of 30 guests at a time, offering a quiet retreat that's a far cry from the crowds at Surfers Paradise, just one hour east. solelements.com.au

Words byAkash Arora

Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.

My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.

Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.

My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.