THE rich red soil of Kondinin Shire will be celebrated in a special event next month.
The Red Soil Riches Weekend in the Wheatbelt town of Kondinin kicks off with the Kondinin Art Show, an exhibition showcasing sculpture, visual arts and textiles.
Celebrity chef Anna Gare and chef Sophie Budd will deliver cooking demonstrations at the Twilight Markets.
Other entertainment includes live music, fire drums with marshmallows and bush tucker, a kids’ nature play area, and a photography display.
The event runs from October 6-11.
Part of Australia’s Golden Outback, Kondinin Shire – just over 270km east of Perth – is home to three agricultural towns: Kondinin, Hyden and Karlgarin.
It is perhaps best known for Wave Rock – a 15-metre high, 110-metre long wave-like multi-coloured granite formation believed to be 2700 million years old.
The colossal landmark draws thousands of visitors every year.
But the area is also popular with birdwatchers and bushwalking and wildflower enthusiasts.
Throughout September and October, blankets of everlastings and specklings of orchids can be seen in almost all the nature reserves throughout the Kondinin Shire. Abundant blooms carpet the countryside, transforming the earth into a kaleidoscope of colours.
You can book a wildflower tour in nearby Hyden at the Wildflower Shoppe at Wave Rock.
Visitors to Kondanin can take a self-guided tour at Yeerakine Rock, just a short drive from town and part of the “granite getaway”. While there, take time to view the stunning Anzac statue.
There are several self-drive tours, including Pathways to Wave Rock, Esperance to Wave Rock and the Granite Woodlands Discovery trial, linking Hyden and Wave Rock to Norseman.