The views from the Skywalk are incredible. [16], The river was once again flooded in 1900 following heavy rains with the river estimated to be running 8 miles (13km) wide, road to Cue and Peak Hill were submerged under 10 feet (3m) of water. You can see them just off the beach from many places in Western Australia. Source: Kalbarri Website. Monday Saturday 9am-5pm / Sundays Off-Peak: 9am-1pm / Sundays On-Peak: 8am-5pm We sat in the seats and drank the wine, and here is a list of our favorites! This protected limestone reef system is home to a countless number of fish and other marine life. Have we convinced you visiting Kalbarri is worth it? The protected waters and rock pools make the Blue Holes a natural aquarium for marine life and safe for kids to splash about in. Your email address will not be published. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It's much more natural that way and it forces people to take responsibility for themselves and their children. There is a large sand bar which creates a lagoon providing a very safe beach - there are no crocodiles and apparently very little shark risk. Its path through sandstone cliffs and out to the Indian Ocean also makes for a stunning scenic view, excellent bushwalking, hiking, trekking, cruising and canoeing. Perth Girl recognises and acknowledges the Nhanda people as the Traditional custodians of Kalbarri National Park. The thinly bedded, red and white banded rocks you will see through most of the river gorge was deposited millions of years ago on tidal flats. Fortunately with Karaijini being so far inland and due to the fact that it is far enough south, there are definitely no crocodiles in Karijini. Today my boyfriend and I will be embarking on our first ever road trip around #Australia, departing, We are all made of stars. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/croc-caught-on-camera-to-be-removed/6601152, Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article. This section of coastline is also great for those who love to explore rock pools like me. Warning: Heat Does Kill! Natures Window is a naturally formed rock arch that gives a window-like effect as you look down at the Murchison River Gorge. Book your tour now for an unforgettable experience! Along the Kalbarri Coast, there are several magnificent coastal lookouts. The river has cut a magnificent 80km gorge through the red and white banded sandstone. Is Kalbarri worth visiting? The coastal section is home to estuaries, dramatic cliffs, windswept bluffs, and rugged headlands. We think so, read on to find out the many reasons why! Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. The drive from Perth to Kalbarri takes just over six hours. Many of the best things to do in Kalbarri wont cost you anything. Kalbarri National Park is located 485 km (301 mi) north of Perth, in the Mid West region of Western Australia.. Its the best place to spend a few days on the drive from Geraldton to Carnarvon, and is mostly surrounded by the marvellous Kalbarri National Park. Ingham to Cairns road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops, Cape Patton Lookout, Victoria: Great Ocean Road photo stop, Birdie Beach, NSW: The Central Coasts nudist beach, Maroochydore to Gympie road trip: Distance, drive time & stops. So for the Queens Birthday long weekendthat just passed, I went on ashortroad trip up north to Coalseam Conservation Park and Kalbarri! At the start of the trail it tells you Natures Window is a 1 km return (so allow 30 to 45 minutes) while the Loop Trail is 9km in total (allow 3 to 5 hours). Up, close and personal with the red and white banded sandstone. Take to the trails along the coastline and the hinterland to see a colorful array of wildflowers. [9], The mouth of the estuary is a small delta, closed by a sandbar except for a narrow channel. Several orchids can only be seen in and near the park, including the Kalbarri spider orchid and the Murchison hammer orchid. You also cant help but think to yourself how the traditional custodians of the land here, the Nhanda people, managed tosurvive in such a beautiful, but very harsh and dangerous landscape. Muggers get their name from the Hindi word for crocodile, "maggar mach". "We've been waiting for it to come ashore, every night we see images of these turtles in the edge of the river, wandering up and down. Theres plenty of accommodation in the Kalbarri region to give you a comfortable stay while sightseeing the area. From there it flows in a westerly direction for about 130 km (81 mi) to its junction with its largest tributary, the Yalgar River, then west for another 100 km (62 mi) before turning south-southwest for 120 km (75 mi), at which point it is joined by the Roderick River, about 30 km (19 mi) east of Murchison Settlement. The only observed bat in the park is the Finlayson's cave bat (Vespadelus finlaysoni). The third option is the Kalbarri National Park canoeing tours with Kalbarri Adventure Tours. You will also see fossilised burrows left by ancient worms that once sheltered in the sand here, and tracks and trails where animals have crawled across the damp sedimentary surface. When there are public holiday long weekends in Western Australia, many of us here love to go on quick road trips. Prices for camping start at $50 per night. Subscribe now to receive our #1 Australia travel hack. Back in town, pelican feeding is a great activity for the younger ones (and the young at heart), volunteers in Kalbarri run a Pelican feeding on the foreshore in front of the Murchinson Caravan Park every morning at 8:45 am. Pink Lake is nearby (the nickname of Hutt Lagoon), a salt lake with a pink hue due to the presence of carotenoid producing algae, Dunaliella salina, which is a source of beta-carotene used as food-colouring agent and source of Vit-Ain cosmetics and supplements. A new prime minister? Camping here is only $15 per vehicle each night, a bargain for this absolute paradise. Some 45 kilometers south of Kalbarri you will find the stunning Lucky Bay. I must saythat the walk back up the hill left me quite breathless. Oooh, awesome! "Then this one night there were no turtles, ooh this is interesting, all the images are black and then appears this different shape in the middle of the image. Breaking down the numbers nationwide, NSW clocked the highest number of unprovoked attacks in 2021, with eight in total according to Taronga Zoo's Australian Shark-Incident Database two of these were fatal. Over millions of years, Western Australias second-longest river, the Murchison has carved deep gorges through the red sandstone rock of this stunning landscape on its endless march toward Kalbarri where it empties into the Indian Ocean. The walk to Natures Window is an easy 1-kilometer return journey and is paved for almost the entire track save for the last 100 meters. Cool, hey? [8], There are no campsites or other accommodations and no water available within the park boundaries. Yep, only in Australia, where everything tries to kill you. Get to know my city and I better through my quirky blogging adventures. You can also choose to fly over the breathtaking Kalbarri National Park and see the spectacular Murchison River Gorges along with informative commentary. So much do yourselves a favor and go early in the day before the howling SW winds make it uncomfortable to sit on the beach. Visit Kalbarri National Park in the early morning or late afternoon light for the best photos! When there are public holiday long weekends in Western Australia, many of us here love to go on quick road trips. Pleased I am notdoing this in ten years' time. Rainbow Jungle Kalbarri & The Maze Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. We saw our first free emus. On a West Coast road trip, most visitors will give Kalbarri one or two nights. Other activities are hiringa paddleboard or Kayak on the Murcishon River, joining a cannoning and abseiling tour, or hiking/trail walking through the rigged outback inKalbarri National Park. Kalbarri must be the second windiest place on the planet, after Geraldton. They would have taken the River Trail to get down there. A lovely way to check out the river. How long does it take to drive to Kalbarri from Perth? Read our privacy policy for more info. Subscribe to Perth Girl and get the latest on quirky things to see & do in Perth City and Western Australia. Theres no reason why you cant enjoy both, however. You can enjoy gorgeous scenic views of the river gorge from this lookout and its also a great test of fitness, as it involves hiking down into the gorge to access the rivers edge. The coastal area contains several wind and water eroded rock formations including a sea stack and a natural bridge. Until then lets now focus on Kalbarri National Park and Natures Window! If you have more time, drop into the West Loop Lookout! The first lookout on the way to Natures Window. Made it to the base of the Murchison River. The waves along the sea were huge but the water coming into the blue holes was quite gentle. Make sure you wear sturdy shoes even for the short touristy walks, such as the 500 metre Loop. A great way to see all of the best things to do in Kalbarri on the coastline is to grab your sneakers and hit the Bigurda Trail. We were there late evening so probably missed the best view because of the shadows.Bush flies can be a problem and if you really hate them it might be worth investing in one of the fly masks. How many nights do I need in Kalbarri? This is where I asked my boyfriend whether there were crocodiles in the river here, and he looked at me oddly. Why its sedimentary, my dear Wattson. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What is the biggest national park in Australia? Kalbarri National Park attractions: Coastal lookouts, the Loop or Z Bend? Ill write another blogon Kalbarris coastal cliff attractionswith pics on that whale-watching experience soon. Kalbarri, WA, is one of the most appealing towns on the west coast of Australia. How long does it take to drive to Kalbarri from Perth? Though not as common here as the mugger crocodile, salties occur in estuaries . Smalltooth sandtiger sharks are found in the deep waters of the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope off the North Island and oceanic ridges north of New Zealand. [17] Ernest Lee Steere of Belele Station reported that over 5 inches (130mm) of rain fell in less than a fortnight. All content copyright David Whitley. Kalbarris wildflowers are best in Spring and early summer, and this is when its not too hot to appreciate them. Read More Litchfield vs Kakadu: The Best of The Top EndContinue, Please note that some links on our site are affiliate links. Don't plan your next trip before you discover how. Bush flies can be a problem and if you really hate them it might be worth investing in one of the fly masks. The park lies in the northernmost limits of the transition zone between a Mediterranean and a semi-arid climate. Do not risk injury or death just for photos. Id love to go whale watching and abseiling in Australia. Obligatory couples photo yes we were here having a great time to upload to Facebook. Time to put the sand flag to work Lancelin, Our first view of the limestone pinnacles, Some of the limestone shapes were pretty big, Close up of the centre of the HMAS Sydney Memorial, Looking through the centre of the Memorial. It is here that you can find the small coastal community of Kalbarri. The Kalbarri area is known for its diversity and extent of wildflowers. Id also love to walk the beautiful coastal trail!