During early spring, the bushland in and around Sydney comes alive with wildflowers. 

The heathlands in our national parks are great places to spot native wildflowers, but there are many other pockets on the Northern Beaches where they also flourish. 

Here are a few of our local favourites to get you started. 

Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)

Our NSW emblem makes a statement. It's big – 15cm across – and flowers for only 2 months of the year in September and October. 

The Waratah can be found on sandstone ridges and also forms part of the endangered Duffy’s Forest Ecological Community. As our state’s floral emblem it is one of Australia's most admired flowers. We are very lucky to still have this native flower in our local area.

Flannel Flowers (Actinotus helianthi and Actinotus minor)

The creamy white Flannel Flower and its cousin the Dwarf Flannel Flower are beautifully soft to touch, thanks to their downy velvet-like flowers. Blooming between August and January, the flower is featured on the official invitation to Australia’s Centenary of Federation in 1901. The Dwarf Flannel Flower blooms all year round. Both are common in heath and woodland areas.

Sydney Golden Wattle (Acacia longifolia)

One of the best-known native plants in the Sydney district, Sydney Golden Wattle is widespread from the coast to the mountains and common along roadsides. This tall shrub or tree is covered in cylindrical clusters of tiny yellow flowers and is great for gardens as it is fast growing and tolerates a variety of soil types. The plant creates a great garden screen and offers important habitat for small birds and native animals.

Native Rose (Boronia serrulata)

This shrub is commonly named the Native Rose for its delicately and beautiful perfumed deep pink flowers. The star shaped flowers appear at the top of its branches in spring and continue until early summer. It is one of the first to bloom in spring and is common in local heathlands.

Netted Bottle Brush (Callistemon linearifolius)

A threatened species listed as vulnerable to extinction, the Netted Bottle Brush was once widespread. One of the places remaining where you can spot this beauty is within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Its red flowers are clustered into the typical ‘bottlebrushes’ of Callistemon species and appear throughout spring to summer.

Find out more from our native plant list.