Authorities in Western Australia are urging motorists to resist the temptation of stopping along the Bussell Highway to pick native wildflowers, warning that the behaviour is not only illegal but genuinely dangerous. The popular route connecting Bunbury and Busselton, roughly 200 kilometres south of Perth, has drawn growing attention after everlasting wildflowers planted along its median strip burst into bloom — prompting some drivers to pull over and help themselves to handfuls of flowers.
Why Wildflowers Are Growing on the Bussell Highway
The flowers were not planted for decoration. Main Roads WA made the deliberate decision to seed the highway's median strip with native everlastings as part of a revegetation program aimed at improving soil quality. The choice of everlastings over shrubs was described as unusual, but practical — the hardy plants thrive in sandy soil and require little ongoing maintenance.
The City of Bunbury has also planted everlastings along its road reserves as part of similar initiatives, and those plantings have proved equally eye-catching to passing drivers.
The Safety and Legal Risk of Stopping to Pick Wildflowers
What authorities did not anticipate was the scale of public enthusiasm for the flowers — or that it would translate into motorists pulling off a busy highway to pick them. Main Roads WA's regional director Dominic Boyle described the practice as both dangerous and illegal, and called on the public to leave the flowers undisturbed.
"Not just because it's illegal to pick these flowers, but also they are putting themselves in danger," Mr Boyle said. He added that there was a secondary environmental concern: the flowers need to complete their cycle so that seed falls back into the soil, sustaining future growth.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions confirmed that Western Australia's native everlastings are protected flora. Under state law, removing native plants — including wildflowers — from Crown land, public reserves and road verges without lawful authority constitutes an offence. Penalties are significant: fines can reach up to $50,000 for unlawfully taking native flora, and up to $500,000 if critically endangered species are involved.
Road safety is an ever-present concern on busy highways, and unexpected stops by motorists create genuine hazards for other drivers. Those tempted to stop along a high-speed route should consider how easily safety can be compromised by seemingly harmless decisions.
Community Voices: Disappointment, Compliments and Firm Advice
Reaction from those connected to the wildflower industry and local government has been mixed, though the underlying message is consistent.
Bunbury Deputy Mayor Cheryl Kozisek took a lighthearted view of the flower-picking reports, saying she considered it "a real compliment that people are picking them" — a nod to just how striking the blooms have become along the roadside.
Others were less forgiving. Kelly Paterson of the South West Wildflower Society described the practice as "a disappointing thing to see," warning that removing flowers before they set seed depletes the seed bank and reduces future plant numbers across the region.
Commercial everlasting seed supplier Jen Egerton-Warburton, who supplies seed buyers across Western Australia from her Kojonup farm, was blunt in her assessment. "It's kind of rude really, isn't it? Someone else has planted them, for you to go and pick them," she said. Her advice to those who love wildflowers was straightforward: grow them at home. "I don't think it's appropriate to pick any wildflower in Western Australia that is not in your garden."
What Authorities Want Motorists to Do
The message from Main Roads WA is clear: slow down to admire the flowers from the road, but do not stop, do not pick, and do not put yourself or other road users at risk. The everlastings were planted to benefit the environment — stripping them before they seed undermines that purpose entirely.
With fines of up to $50,000 on the table and the very real danger of stopping on a busy highway, the cost of a spontaneous roadside bouquet could prove far greater than anyone bargained for.
