Kalbarri National Park

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Kalbarri National Park

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Overview: Kalbarri National Park, covering an area of 183,004 hectares, was formally gazetted in 1963. The park is located on the lower reaches of the Murchison River, which has cut magnificent red and white banded gorges for 80 kilometres, as it carves its way to the sea. Featuring spectacular coastline of limestone and sandstone cliffs over 100 metres high, the park has a range of bushwalks, lookouts and picnic areas for you to enjoy.

Kalbarri is also famous for its wildflowers, most of which bloom from late July through spring and into early summer. The species-rich heathlands provide a spectacular floral display. There are vivid gold and orange banksias, grevilleas in white, yellow and red, green and red kangaroo paws, featherflowers in many coloured shades, smoke bushes, starflowers and many more.

Sightseeing, rafting, canoeing, fishing, picnicking and bushwalking are the most popular activities in the park.

Tips: The national park surrounds the township of Kalbarri; 590 km, or six to seven hours drive, from Perth. Located at the mouth of the Murchison River, the town is the main base for park visitors and supports a thriving fishing and tourism industry. Facilities include shops, fuel outlets, a medical centre, police station, post office and banking facilities. Park tours and other visitor activities operate from the town.

Kalbarri is serviced by commercial coaches and aircraft. High quality sealed roads link the town to the major centres of Geraldton to the south and Carnarvon to the north. Some roads within the park are unsealed and, whilst accessible to all vehicles, should be driven with care. There are no camping areas in the national park, but a full range of accommodation is available in Kalbarri.

Summer temperatures may reach 45ºC and the weather is often dry and windy. If you plan to visit in summer you should exercise extreme caution as deaths from exposure to heat have occurred. Temperatures in the park gorges are often 10oC above the ambient temperature. Winter temperatures range from 10ºC to 20ºC and most rain falls during June and July. The wildflowers begin to bloom after July, and the cooler months are the most comfortable for exploring the park.

Please note - Due to the hazardous terrain, groups undertaking long hikes should consist of at least 5 experienced people - the smallest group considered self-sufficient in an emergency. Overnight groups must notify a park ranger before and after completing the hike. All rubbish must be carried out of the gorge.

Points of Interest

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Ross Graham Lookout

This lookout was named after the first headmaster of the local school. He was a passionate advocate for the need to protect the Murchison River gorges within a national park. A 350 metre trail leads from the carpark to the river pools, making this the easiest place in the national park to access the river. This day use site has toilets and a picnic shelter.

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Hawks Head

A short path leads to a lookout providing expansive views over the Murchison River Gorge. The toilets, picnic shelter and lookout at Hawks Head have disabled access.

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Z-Bend

A moderately easy 500m walk from the car park takes you to the Z-Bend, a rock lookout which overhangs the Murchison River. Visitors with a good level of fitness can also hike down into the gorge and access the river’s edge. At the carpark there is a gas barbecue, picnic shelter and toilets.

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Natures Window and The Loop

Nature's Window, a wind-eroded opening in the layered sandstone, frames a view of the river. It is a moderate 800 metre return walk from the carpark. Keen and well prepared walkers can continue further into the gorge system and complete the eight kilometre Loop Trail – a challenging but spectacular walk. Along the way you’ll pass vantage points that provide different perspectives on the switchback course of the Murchison River.

The geology of the area is fascinating. The thinly bedded, red and white banded rocks through most of the river gorge were deposited millions of years ago on tidal flats. Rippled surfaces can be seen around Nature’s Window. The ripples were formed during ancient times by waves moving over tidal flats in a shallow sea. Some beds in overhangs at The Loop look as if they have been riddled by plant roots, and often have a ‘can of worms’ appearance. These are burrows left by worms sheltering in the sand. Tracks and trails on flat surfaces show where animals crawled across the damp sedimentary surface.

There are toilets, a picnic shelter and a gas barbecue at this popular day use site.

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Meanarra Hill

Meanarra Hill is an elevated vantage point that provides views over the town and the mouth of the Murchison River.

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Red Bluff

From Red Bluff, extensive views south overlook colourful coastal limestone and sandstone ledges. A short, disabled access walk leads to lookouts where information signs explain the intriguing history of the area.

Just to the north of Red Bluff is Wittecarra Creek, believed to be the site of the first permanent landing of Europeans in Australia. In 1629 the Dutch East India trading vessel Batavia was wrecked on the Abrolhos Islands, southwest of Kalbarri. Following the wreck a small group of mutineers massacred 125 of the surviving men, women and children. Whilst most of the ringleaders were executed two of the conspirators, Wouter Loos and Jan Pelgromm, were landed on the Kalbarri mainland, at the mouth of Wittecarra Creek. Their ultimate fate is unknown.

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Mushroom Rock

The sedimentary rock formation found in the park’s gorges and along the coast is called Tumblagooda sandstone. Along the coast, wind and wave erosion has exposed layers of this sandstone in the cliffs that rise more than 100m above the ocean. Mushroom Rock is an interesting viewpoint from which to see how the natural forces of wind and water have created weird yet delicate shapes. Take the three kilometre loop trail where information signs explain some of the interesting botanical and geological features.

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Rainbow Valley

Sands and silts containing an assortment of minerals have layered, compacted and weathered to form this spectrum in stone. Rainbows may be seen in the sea mist.

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Pot Alley

The view south from the carpark truly captures the splendour and beauty of this coast. Take the walk down to the small beach, one of the few beaches along this cliff-dominated coastline.

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Eagle Gorge

The views from the Eagle Gorge Lookout are stunning. You can enjoy the panorama from the crest or wander down into the tranquil depths of the gorge where you will discover a delightful beach. The eight kilometre Bigurda Trail hugs the coastline between here and Natural Bridge providing stunning coastal views. You can walk all or part of this trail that passes via Shellhouse Grandstand and Island Rock.

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Shellhouse and Grandstand

Continual pounding by the Indian Ocean claims massive chunks of this soft limestone coast, leaving remnant cliff formations. The cliffs glow in the late afternoon as the setting sun shines on the sandstone rock faces.

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Island Rock

The resilient Island Rock was once part of the shoreline, but now stands as a solitary 'sea stack'. Viewing platforms a short distance from the carpark provide spectacular views of this geological oddity.

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Natural Bridge

This is a great place for a picnic, while taking in the stunning natural surroundings. There are two lookouts, a toilet and picnic shelter, all of which have disabled access. The cliff-top lookouts are a great place for spotting a wide variety of marine life including whales and dolphins. Natural Bridge is also the southern trailhead for the Bigurda Trail, an eight kilometre walk linking the coastal sites of Island Rock, Shellhouse Grandstand, and Eagle Gorge.