Authorities in Western Australia are urging motorists to resist the temptation to stop and pick wildflowers growing along the Bussell Highway, warning that the behaviour is not only illegal but potentially deadly. The popular route connecting Bunbury and Busselton — roughly 200 kilometres south of Perth — has been transformed in recent months by swaths of native everlasting flowers planted along the median strip, drawing admiring drivers who are increasingly pulling over to grab handfuls of blooms.

Why Wildflowers Were Planted on the Bussell Highway

Main Roads WA took the unusual step of planting native everlastings — rather than the more typical shrubs — to revegetate the highway's median strip. The decision was driven by the flowers' hardiness and their ability to improve soil quality in the sandy conditions along the corridor. The City of Bunbury has similarly planted everlastings on its road reserves, where they have proven equally popular with passers-by.

The flowering display was never intended as a tourist attraction, but the vivid blooms have captured public attention in a way that is now causing significant concern for road managers and conservationists alike.

Stopping to Pick Wildflowers Is Both Dangerous and Illegal

Main Roads WA regional director Dominic Boyle has been unequivocal in his response to reports of motorists pulling over to pick flowers from the busy highway. He described the practice as "dangerous" and "illegal", urging the public to stay in their vehicles and not create unnecessary hazards.

"Not just because it's illegal to pick these flowers, but also they are putting themselves in danger," Mr Boyle said. He also noted an environmental dimension to the problem: allowing the flowers to complete their life cycle is essential for long-term regeneration. "There's a big safety concern. We also want to make sure that seed gets back into the soil," he said.

The dangers of unexpected roadside stops on busy highways are well documented, and authorities say the Bussell Highway is no exception — it carries significant volumes of traffic and is not designed for pedestrian activity along its median strip.

Under Western Australian law, native everlastings are protected flora. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has confirmed it is an offence to take native flora — including wildflowers — from Crown land, public reserves and road verges without lawful authority. Penalties are substantial: fines of up to $50,000 apply for unlawfully taking native flora, rising to up to $500,000 if critically endangered species are involved.

Conservation Groups and Seed Suppliers Sound the Alarm

Beyond the immediate safety risks, wildflower advocates are concerned about the longer-term ecological damage caused by early picking. South West Wildflower Society spokesperson Kelly Paterson described the behaviour as disappointing, explaining that removing flowers before they can set seed depletes the natural seed bank and reduces the chances of future growth.

"Taking those flowers before they are able to set seed means that seed is not going into the seed bank to produce additional plants in the future," she said.

Commercial everlasting seed supplier Jen Egerton-Warburton, who operates out of a Kojonup farm and supplies buyers across Western Australia, was equally critical. She said picking wildflowers from someone else's planted land was simply disrespectful. "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 flower lovers was straightforward: "If people want to pick wildflowers, grow them at home."

A More Forgiving Local Perspective

Not everyone has taken a hardline view. Bunbury Deputy Mayor Cheryl Kozisek offered a more generous reading of the public's enthusiasm, suggesting the picking was, in its own way, a sign of appreciation. "I think it's a real compliment that people are picking them," she said — though her comments came alongside the broader chorus of warnings from road and conservation authorities.

Main Roads WA's message remains clear: admire the wildflowers from your vehicle, keep moving, and let the everlastings do the ecological work they were planted to do.