Western Australia is on alert for one of the worst fly plagues in living memory, set to hit Perth and the South West in the coming weeks. The surge follows a wet winter that created ideal breeding conditions, with billions of flies expected to be blown in from the Mid West on easterly winds.
The Buzz on WA's Fly Invasion
The current fly season is shaping up to be historically severe. The phenomenon isn't new; historical records show European explorer Captain Willem Janszoon was so bothered by flies in 1606 he named an area "Vliege Bay" (now Albatross Bay). Similarly, explorer David Carnegie wrote of being ceaselessly annoyed by flies in the Great Victoria Desert in 1896.
However, not all flies are pests. While "bush flies" are a nuisance, they and other species are crucial, often overlooked pollinators for native plants and crops. A particular standout is the hoverfly. These stingless insects are broad feeders, visiting a wide range of plants across large areas, making them exceptionally effective pollinators. They are also beneficial as their larvae voraciously eat aphids.
Essential Summer Safety and Gear
The conversation around pests extends to ticks, with a recent spike in activity around Perth prompting reader tips. A long-time Bibbulmun Track volunteer, Gordon Roberts, recommends using Dettol as a deterrent. "I spray my boots and ankles before walking... When sprayed on skin, the March flies land but take off immediately without biting," he says. For ticks that have already attached, products like Tick Tox use a freeze-action method to safely remove them from people and pets.
With the summer sun intensifying, protection is key. Flexibraid hats, invented in Australia, offer a practical solution. They are lightweight, UPF50+, and uniquely foldable for travel, popping back into shape. Their design makes them ideal for stashing in a caravan, glove box, or carry-on luggage.
Major Travel Updates and Deals
In positive news for the environment and communities, Alcoa Australia has withdrawn its Perth Hills exploration plans in response to local feedback. The areas affected were in the Armadale, Kalamunda, Mundaring, Beverley and York districts.
For travellers, there's a wave of new opportunities:
- Tourism NT is offering a $100 flight discount on Qantas return fares to Darwin or Alice Springs for travel between December 15, 2025, and April 30, 2026. Bookings must be made between December 3-9, 2025, using the code NT100.
- Outback Spirit has opened early bookings for 2027 tours, with savings up to $2000 per person on flagship itineraries, including two new trips to Queensland's hinterland and South Australia's Kangaroo Island.
- Perth's international connectivity is booming. Jetstar has launched a new Perth-Manila route, Malaysia Airlines has doubled its Perth-Kuala Lumpur flights, Cathay Pacific is flying double-daily to Hong Kong, and Qantas begins its direct Perth-Johannesburg service. All Nippon Airways will maintain daily Perth-Tokyo flights until April 19, 2026.
In a curious global aviation note, Airbus recently reported that intense cosmic radiation can corrupt data in aircraft computers, a phenomenon implicated in a recent incident that led to software updates for over 6000 aircraft.
