Lesueur National Park, Western Australia, is one of the best places in the state to see wildflowers. The national park covers 26,987 hectares and there have been strong conservation efforts here.
The variety of vegetation in Lesueur National Park is part of what makes it a fertile territory for wildflowers. Much of the park is low heathland, but there are also creek lines, and woodlands filled with wandoo, redgum and banksia.
Lesueur National Park also contains two key flat-topped mesas – Mount Lesueur and Mount Michaud – plus remnant coastal dunes and salt lakes.
Wildflowers in Lesueur National Park
This Western Australian national park is home to more than 900 plant species. These include acacias, leschenaultias and melaleucas. Several varieties of kangaroo paw are on display in the spring months, while numerous different orchids also grow near Mount Lesueur. These include purple enamel, white spider and blue lady orchids.
There is also plenty of wildlife to see within Lesueur National Park – notably geckos and legless lizards. The park is in a geographic sweet spot, with many species at either the northern or southern limit of their range.
Lesueur Scenic Drive
Driving is generally the best way to explore Lesueur National Park. The 18.5km one-way Lesueur Scenic Drive passes through the most scenic section of the park, heading past both Mount Lesueur and Cockleshell Gully. There are plenty of lay-bys on the Lesueur Scenic Drive where you can pull over and take pictures.
You might as well tackle this as part of a half-day trip from Jurien Bay. The national park is a 25km drive north-east of Jurien Bay.
Lesueur National Park camping and walking
There are also a selection of walking trails. The 26km Yonga Trail is the biggie – you’ll probably need an overnight stay at the Yonga Campground to complete that. The Yonga Campground is walk-in only and the only place where camping is permitted in Lesueur National Park.
If 26km seems a bit much, then there are several shorter walks to enjoy. The Botanical Path is the easiest of these, but the Gairdner Trail, Lesueur Trail and 6km Yued Ponar Trail hit a happy medium. Details of all these walks are on the Parks and Wildlife Service website.
Lesueur National Park: key visitor information
Information sourced from Explore Parks WA (exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au). Entry fees are subject to change — check the current rate at Explore Parks WA before visiting. Wildflower season typically peaks from August to October. The Yonga Trail and its campground are open March to November only.
| Question | Information |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost to enter Lesueur National Park? | $17 per vehicle (up to 12 occupants). Concession $10 per vehicle. Large vehicles (13+ occupants) pay $8 per person. Motorcycles $10. Entry is free for those arriving on foot or by bicycle. A WA Park Pass may be better value if visiting multiple parks. |
| Where is Lesueur National Park? | Approximately 250km north of Perth, and 25km north-east of Jurien Bay. |
| How long is the Lesueur Scenic Drive? | 18.5km, one way. The road is sealed (bitumen) throughout, with regular lay-bys for stopping and photography. |
| Can I camp inside Lesueur National Park? | Yes, but only at the Yonga Campground, and only if you are walking the Yonga Trail. The campground has three tent platforms (sleeping up to four people), a shelter, composting toilet, picnic tables and an untreated rainwater tank. Bookings are essential via parkstay.dbca.wa.gov.au. A separate camping fee applies on top of the park entry fee. The campground is open March to November only. |
| Is there a campground near Lesueur National Park for non-hikers? | Yes. Karda Campground in Karda Reserve, approximately 25km away, is the nearest alternative. It accepts tents and caravans. Camping fees are $15 per adult per night ($10 concession, $5 per child). Book via parkstay.dbca.wa.gov.au. |
| How long is the Yonga Trail? | 26km loop, typically taking eight hours for fit hikers. Many visitors split the hike over two days, staying overnight at the Yonga Campground at the midpoint. |
| When is the best time to visit Lesueur National Park for wildflowers? | Late July to October, with peak wildflower season in August and September. |
| Are dogs allowed in Lesueur National Park? | No. Dogs and other pets are not permitted. |
| Is the Lesueur Scenic Drive accessible by 2WD? | Yes. The scenic drive is sealed throughout. The Drummond trailhead (start of the Yonga Trail) also has 2WD access, though part of the access road is unsealed. |
| Is Lesueur National Park accessible for wheelchair users? | Some lay-bys on the scenic drive are accessible by car. Walking tracks involve steep and uneven terrain. Contact Explore Parks WA for current accessibility information. |
Things to do near Lesueur National Park
Jurien Bay Marine Park – Just 25km from the national park, Jurien Bay’s protected lagoon is one of the best places on the Coral Coast for swimming with sea lions and snorkelling over coral reefs.
Nambung National Park and the Pinnacles Desert – Around 90 minutes south of Lesueur, the Pinnacles is one of Western Australia’s most iconic landscapes, with thousands of limestone spires rising from a yellow sand desert. I’d argue the Pinnacles are best seen at dusk.
Jurien Bay Foreshore – The nearest town to Lesueur, Jurien Bay has a pleasant foreshore with cafés, restaurants, a boat harbour and a caravan park, making it the natural base for exploring the national park.
Cervantes lobster industry – Halfway between Jurien Bay and the Pinnacles, Cervantes is the crayfishing capital of WA. The Lobster Shack tours allow visitors to see the catch being processed and tuck into fresh crayfish, while there are great views from the Thirsty Point Lookout.
Green Head – A short drive north of Lesueur National Park, this small coastal town has some of the clearest water in the region, and is a popular spot for snorkelling and swimming at Dynamite Bay. You can tackle the Three Bays Walkway here.
More Western Australia travel
Other Coral Coast travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- A tale of mutiny and murder on the Houtman Abrolhos Islands.
- How to visit the Kalbarri Skywalk in Kalbarri National Park.
- Z Bend Lookout, Kalbarri National Park: How to get there, what you’ll see and park entry fees.
- The extraordinary history of the Hamelin Pool stromatolites in Shark Bay.
- An adventure to Inscription Point on Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay.
