A dry summer and late season rains have led many Wheatbelt communities to question whether they can rely on wildflowers for tourism numbers in 2024.Wildflower Society of WA says rainfall in June and July will determine whether Wheatbelt towns will have a third consecutive challenging wildflower season.
The group attributed the success to the marketability of key attractions including Wave Rock and the native wildflowers.But tourism officer Linda Vernon said statistics showed a clear peak in wildflower season, meaning this year's dry conditions could pose a problem. She said the prospect of a third straight poor wildflower season had dented the confidence of some local operators.Wildflower Society of Western Australia president Brett Loney said the upcoming wildflower season would be highly dependent on rain across the Wheatbelt throughout June and July.
"It will be interesting to see just how the vegetation responds to these initial rains and if the plants green up in response."Ms Vernon said many Wheatbelt residents lacked confidence in the appeal of their towns to visitors. "Why can't we be giving tourists on a larger scale that same experience, using what we already have on offer?"Wildflower tourism remains a major stopping point for visitors to Mukinbudin, 300 kilometres east of Perth.