A vigorous, woody creeper which extends along the coastline of the eastern states and is common in north-eastern Queensland.

Wonga Wonga Vine - Pandorea pandorana, near Rex Lookout on the Great Barrier Reef Road - Photo by Bill Hinton

The dainty, elongated flowers are creamy-white with red-brown to purple markings in the throat. In far northern Queensland there is also a striking tan-brown flowered form.

The throat is covered with "down", almost giving the appearance of deep pile velvet. There is a magnificent specimen growing at Rex's Lookout on the Captain Cook highway. It has completely covered several small trees and shrubs.

During Winter the blossoms hang in heavy trusses and even this rampant climber appears to bow beneath its own weight. It is situated on a steep rocky hillside overlooking the Coral Sea and almost continually subjected to a salt laden breeze...but how it thrives. A tropical sea and sky; the the forest clad mountains and beautiful Wangetti Beach, a breathtaking setting for this magnificent creeper. Little wonder one feels a tingle of joy at the sight of it.

Cuttings strike readily from the short partially hardened side shoots. The large, rough fruits turn brown upon maturity, finally splitting to release numerous papery, winged seeds.