A Walk Among the Wildflowers
“Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.”
Yes, Miranda Priestly, we hear you. Florals might not be new to fashion, but they never get old here. Each spring, as the weather warms and the air takes on that familiar scent of eucalyptus and wattle, something remarkable happens: Narrandera’s wildflowers return — delicate, fleeting, and quietly spectacular.
An orchid hidden under a fallen branch, a wattle glowing in the sunlight, a carpet of green that shimmers after rain. Within the reserves and woodland pockets of the Narrandera Ranges, several endangered wildflower species are thriving, including delicate native orchids found almost nowhere else. These flowers tell a story of resilience, growing in shallow soils, surviving droughts, and clinging to rocky outcrops. It’s often deceptive — with so many blooms scattered across the bushland, you might think they’re plentiful. In truth, Narrandera is one of the few remaining refuges for these rare species.
Narrandera’s Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and cool winters provides the perfect conditions for native blooms to flourish each spring. Over thousands of years, this landscape has shaped species that are deeply adapted to the rhythms of the Riverina.
Where to Wander
If you’re ready to see them for yourself, start with the Bundidgerry Walking Track. These trails weave through Narrandera’s Bundidgerry Hill, where you can spot everything from yellow tiny stars to Nodding Blue-lily. You’ll find yourself stopping every few metres to crouch down and inspect something small and miraculous.
The Flora and Fauna Reserve also rewards patient eyes. Hints of pink, purple, and white are scattered between tufts of native grass.
When exploring, keep to the trail, tread carefully, and resist the urge to pick flowers. It’s a look, don’t touch experience — the perfect opportunity to bring your camera, slow down, and reset. The trails are unsealed, with loose gravel and rocky patches. In parts, the ground can be uneven so sturdy shoes are recommended. Accessibility can vary along the routes, and because wildflowers tend to pop up wherever they please, it’s important to watch your step as you wander. These tracks are also home to other wildlife: kangaroos, koalas, lizards, and countless bird species. As always, leave no trace — take only photos, tread lightly, and let the landscape remain as you found it.
For those keen to learn more, the book Wildflowers of the Narrandera and Cocoparra Ranges by Eric Whiting (available from the Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists) offers an excellent guide.