A day trip from Perth - Canola Fields near York in Spring.
Canola is the third major crop grown in Western Australia, and is Australia’s major oil seed crop.
From around mid August to early September (early Spring) the fields in growing regions such as the Avon Valley (which includes the towns and surrounding areas of Toodyay, Northam, York, Goomalling and Beverley) become awash with bright yellow as the Canola crops are in full bloom.
With an easy drive of just over an hour and a half from Perth, viewing the stunning Canola in full bloom makes a great day trip idea.
The bright yellow canola field contrasts nicely against the bold sky and clouds.
When is the best time to see Canola fields in full bloom?
Typically, Canola crops will flower in Western Australia in late winter to early Spring (around mid August to early September) dependent upon seasonal rainfall.
You will usually only have a few weeks, again depending on conditions, to see the Canola fields in full glorious yellow bloom.
Go at other times of the year…sorry, no yellow for you!
A sole tree in a sea of yellow, is framed by the branches of a tree.
How to get there
Having access to a car is likely the easiest way to view the Canola Fields.
York is located 98km east of Perth and the journey takes you along Great Eastern Highway, then on the Chidlow-York/Great Southern Highway.
You will likely start to see Canola Fields around 15-20 minutes out from York.
On my most recent trip in September 2024, rather than continuing all the way into York, I chose to follow the “Flora drive” sign and turned left off the Great Southern Highway, some 76km from Perth and still 22km from York, onto the unsealed Wambyn Road, then right onto Boyercutty Road.
I felt the Canola fields this year were the best and most interesting in this area.
The gravel roads were in excellent condition and not corrugated, but be prepared for your car to get covered in that typical Australian red dust, or mud if it has rained.
Can you wander into the Canola fields?
No. Nope. Negative. Don’t do it.
It is really important to respect the Canola fields as they are private commercial farming lands.
You must not cross the fences and enter the Canola crops. You can potentially introduce bio hazards to the crops plus risk coming across snakes or exposing yourself to farm chemicals. Remember to park your vehicle safely so as not to pose a risk to other vehicles.
The York Vistors centre has some great information on the visiting the canola fields around York.
A sole tree surrounded by a sea of yellow canola in full bloom near York, Western Australia. Canon 5D mark iii, 24-70mm f/2.8 L mark ii lens, 28mm, f/11, 1/80s, ISO 125, circular polariser
Should colour have all the fun?
Whilst vibrant colour was everywhere - bold blue skies with white clouds and strong yellow canola foregrounds, one could also create quite striking, high contrast, black and white images.
This is the beauty of shooting RAW, and in particular the Fujifilm system with film simulations and the Fujifilm X-Raw studio software. It is easy to convert between different creative looks to see which one suits the image best.
There are so many images of yellow canola fields set against blue skies, so I aimed for interesting framing options and foregrounds, such as these fallen trees, tree branches etc. Click on an image below to open a larger gallery view.
Entrance to a property "Breckna Brook". Fujifilm X100V, Wide conversion lens, ISO 320, 1/150s, f/11, circular polariser. ACROS + Red filter simulation.
The same image as above, this time using the Velvia film simulation. Which one do you prefer?
A day trip from Perth in early Spring to see the yellow canola fields is absolutely recommended. And why not continue on to explore nearby York, or perhaps stay the night too?