South West Life

One of the South West’s most stunning eco tours is back for the flourishing spring months with the seasonal launch of ‘Wildflower Tours Margaret River’ this Saturday 11th September, 2010. 

Wildflower Tours Margaret River offer visitors an ecotourism experience with a difference - allowing them to get up close and personal with the regional wildflowers scattered among some of the most spectacular natural attractions in the region. Tours are informative, interactive and, most importantly, they are focused on the unique biodiversity that Margaret River is renowned for. 

Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association (AMRTA) Attractions Manager Jayme Hatcher highlights that the tours are not only engaging for the visitor but extremely sustainable with the best considerations of the natural environment in mind.  

“The tours are conducted twice daily around the Lake Cave precinct, and once a day at Mammoth Cave. Each tour is restricted to only 12 people to ensure minimal impact on the environment and to offer the visitor a more personalised experience with the specialist Wildflower Guides.  

“Specialist guides take the groups around the easy to walk tracks, while identifying plants and explaining the history and evolution of certain species. Visitors are encouraged to use the magnifying glass to get up close and assist with the identification process” said Ms Hatcher. 

The Margaret River region is home to 2,500 wildflower species and a stunning array of colourful orchids. Some of the highlights of the tour are the Cowslip Orchid, Spider Orchid, Australian Blue Bell and Coral Vine. Wildflower Tours Margaret River offers an intimate insight into the beautiful flora unique to this part of the world. The Margaret River region sits in the heart of the only internationally recognised biodiversity hot spot in Australia and is one of 34 recognised in the world making the wildflower experience totally unique and specialised. Not only can visitors partake in a Wildflower Tour, it can also be packaged with a tour of Lake or Mammoth Caves, Devonshire Tea and a free Wildflower booklet.  

To coincide with the launch of the new wildflower season the team from the AMRTA have developed a series of free educational biodiversity talks at the Caveworks Interpretive Centre at Lake Cave. On Friday 24th September a team of experts from Curtin Biodiversity and Climate Institute will be presenting seminars on the unique biodiversity of the South West and how people and other organisms integrate with this extraordinary ecosystem.  

The educational seminars culminate with an incredible evening of ‘Night Frogging’ in which participants will immerse themselves into an unforgettable experience with some rare and spectacular frogs. Bookings for this remarkable ‘Night Frogging’ encounter and the biodiversity talks are essential. Bookings can be made by calling (08) 97805917. 

Wildflower Tours Margaret River run through to the 12th November. For more information visit www.margaretriver.com and contact (08) 9757 7411 to enjoy an ecotourism experience to savour!