Wildflower season is here, making now the perfect time to plan a road trip from daylight colour to night-sky wonder.

Western Australia is known for big landscapes, long horizons and unforgettable road trips. Now, there’s another reason to slow down, stay a little longer and look up after sunset.

The Dark Sky Stargazing Trails network on Trails WA brings together eight stargazing drive trails across some of WA’s most scenic regional landscapes, from easy escapes close to Perth to longer adventures through the Wheatbelt, Mid West, Coral Coast, Gascoyne and Goldfields. Developed in collaboration with Astrotourism WA, the network connects Astrotourism Towns, Observing Sites and Astrophotography Hotspots where visitors can experience the Milky Way, constellations, planets, meteor showers and other night-sky highlights away from bright city lights.

With August just around the corner, it’s also a great time to start planning a wildflower season escape. Many of these trails travel through regions where Djilba begins to bring colour to roadsides, reserves, granite outcrops and inland landscapes. By day, you can explore wildflowers, heritage towns, coastal scenery, farm country, red-earth ranges and local attractions. By night, the same journey becomes a brilliant stargazing adventure.

Why go now?
August is the heart of Milky Way season, which runs from April to October in the Southern Hemisphere. Around New Moon, darker skies make it easier to see and photograph the Milky Way, especially in regional areas with low light pollution. Astrotourism WA’s August night-sky highlights also include the Perseid meteor shower on 12 to 13 August, which is better viewed from northern Western Australia, and a close early-morning view of Jupiter and Mercury on 15 August.

For those looking for an event to build a trip around, Astrotourism WA lists several upcoming stargazing events in regional WA, including monthly Friday Night Starlights in Gascoyne Junction and Mt Owen Moonlight Chill at the Mt Owen Observing Site in Menzies on 29 August.

Choose your dark sky road trip

This four-day road trip north east of Perth combines wildflower country, farming landscapes, friendly towns and sparkling night skies. Travelling through Wongan Hills, Perenjori and Morawa, it’s a strong choice for those wanting a seasonal wildflower escape with a night-sky twist.

Coastal Wild Flowers Wild Stars | 755km | 2WD | 4-5 days

A coastal take on wildflower and stargazing travel, this trail explores WA’s Coral Coast landscapes, including Cervantes, Lake Thetis and The Pinnacles. It’s a great option for travellers who want wildflowers, coastal scenery, low-light country towns and iconic astrophotography locations in one journey.

Outback Wild Flowers Wild Stars 810km | 2WD | 4-5 days

This inland version takes visitors through Coorow, Three Springs, Mingenew, Morawa and Perenjori, linking wildflower country with dark-sky towns and farming landscapes. It’s especially well suited to those planning a winter or spring road trip through the Mid West and northern Wheatbelt.

Outback Way to Stargazing Gold | 450km | 2WD | 3 days

For a more remote Goldfields experience, this trail travels through big-sky country around Menzies, Lake Ballard and Mount Owen. It’s a standout for visitors looking for outback landscapes, dark horizons and memorable night-sky settings. Lake Ballard’s open salt lake and sculptures create a dramatic setting for stargazing and astrophotography.

City Lights Star Lights | 250km | 2WD | 1-2 days

A great introduction to stargazing close to Perth, this trail takes visitors from the glow of the city towards the quieter skies of the Avon Valley. It includes astronomy experiences around the Perth Hills and Northam, making it a strong option for beginners, families or anyone wanting a simple overnight escape.

Wheatbelt Wonders Under the Stars | 975km | 2WD | 3-4 days

This south eastern Wheatbelt trail is ideal for those wanting a mix of iconic landscapes, country towns and night-sky photography. Highlights include Wave Rock, Yeerakine Rock, Lake Grace, Kondinin and Narembeen. With granite outcrops, wide horizons and dark country skies, it’s a memorable option for seeing the Milky Way during winter and spring.

Astrophotographers’ Paradise | 630km | 2WD | 3-4 days

Travelling through the southern Wheatbelt, this trail is made for visitors who want to capture the night sky. Heritage buildings, lakes, granite outcrops, woodland silhouettes and country scenes create striking foregrounds for Milky Way photography. Locations such as Six Mile Cottage, Yilliminning Rock, Dryandra Woodlands and Lake Yealering offer plenty of inspiration for photographers and stargazers alike.

Starry Coast to Outback Adventure 850km | 2WD | 4-5 days

For a longer journey, this trail connects the coastal landscapes of Shark Bay with the wide, dark skies of the Gascoyne. Travellers can experience ocean horizons, marine life and coastal history before heading inland towards Gascoyne Junction, Mount Augustus and Kennedy Range National Park for big-sky outback stargazing.

Plan ahead for night-sky travel

Stargazing locations are best experienced after dark, but it’s worth arriving before sunset where possible. Take time to check access, parking, uneven ground and your exit route before the light fades. Many locations are in regional or remote areas, so check local road and weather conditions, carry enough food and water, bring warm clothing, and let someone know where you’re going.

For the best dark-sky experience, check the moon phase before you travel. Around New Moon is ideal for Milky Way viewing and astrophotography, while Full Moon can be beautiful for moonrise and softly lit landscape photography. A red-light torch is also useful after dark, as it helps protect your night vision while moving around safely.

When you arrive in an Astrotourism Town, call into the local visitor centre or tourism information centre for current advice on stargazing sites, road conditions, events and any bookable dark sky experiences.

Whether you’re chasing wildflowers, planning a regional road trip or looking for a new way to experience WA after dark, the Dark Sky Stargazing Trails offer a different kind of adventure.

Explore the Dark Sky Stargazing Trails