August has begun in earnest, and you know what that means? Wildflower season is here, baby! The excitement might seem superfluous, but Western Australia has unique native flowering plants absent anywhere else in the world. From wattles and hibbertia to orchids and sundews, some of WA’s prettiest flowers can be seen in and around Perth.
Less than 40 minutes from Perth, you’ll find a road that’ll take you through wildflowers if you’re aching to get out of the city. Here’s what you need to know about Zig Zag Scenic Drive in the Perth Hills, including how to get there and things you need to be aware of.
Zig Zag Scenic Drive in Gooseberry Hill National Park
Previously called the Kalamunda Zig Zag, it had switch points and reversed direction until 1949. Later, it was converted into a public road and has been open from 1952. Now it is a tourist drive for a few hours a day, welcoming locals and non-locals.
Open from 11 am to 8:30 pm for cars (yes, you’ll get locked in if you don’t leave), this one-way Zig Zag Scenic Drive offers expansive views of the Swan Coastal Plain. A pro tip: if you’re a bushwalking enthusiast, you can take a small detour to the Statham’s Quarry Walk, a 5.9 km vigorous walk. It’ll take you through the abandoned quarry and former railway, with magnificent sights of the Darling Scarp to give you company.
Gooseberry Hill National Park and the Zig Zag Scenic Drive have free entry, but be mindful of fellow travellers. Pedestrians and cyclists are not restricted from using the Drive at any time. However, it gets very dark in the area, so we don’t recommend staying late after sunset.
How to get there?
The whole Zig Zag Drive is only about 2.9 km long. But the speed limits are strict, and you will definitely want to stop at the designated points for pictures. About a 30–40-minute drive from Perth, you can take State Route 8 to Leach Highway/State Route 7. Then, turn onto the Tonkin Highway/State Route 4 to Maida Vale Road. Now, join Gooseberry Hill Road and Lascelles Parade to Zig Zag Scenic Drive.
For more information, check out Experience Perth Hills.
