With river gorges carved by the meandering ways of the Murchison River and dramatic coastal cliffs, the natural beauty of Kalbarri varies dramatically.
Where the river meets the ocean, the town of Kalbarri thrives as a year round holiday centre and as the centre of the Kalbarri National Park that protects these two vastly different landscapes.
From July to  October, Western Australia’s famous wildflowers carpet the park and become their own attraction.
The Murchison River Gorges
The Murchison River is the second longest in Western Australia. It starts in the Robinson Ranges north of Meekatharra. Eight hundred kilometres long, it twists and turns to the coast creating a diverse landscape. Â In the wet season, huge floodplains are created…a sight I’d love to see! When a cyclone hits Meekatharra, the waters can take three weeks to reach the coast.
Lookout points have been created through out the gorges to see the different landscapes that have been carved over millions of years by the Murchison River.
The first nineteen kilometres of the road to see the The Loop, Natures Window and Z-Bend are sealed but the remaining twelve kilometres are not but are still driveable for a non four wheel drive car.
Heavy rains the weekend before we arrived meant that the unsealed road had been closed and only opened the day before we visited. How lucky were we!
West Loop Lookout
This, the first lookout you will come to at this end of the road, gives you a great view of the landscape and the river’s floodplain.
Natures Window
Wander down the steps and follow the trail that leads you to the well known and iconic attraction Natures Window. There’s a bit of easy rock climbing needed to reach here but it’s worth the effort to see this natural rock formation and the river it frames.Â
For the adventurous or those with time, the eight kilometre Loop Hike, starts from here.  You continue along the path you can see running along the top of the gorge in the picture below.
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Z-Bend Lookout
At the other end of the road, is the Z-Bend Lookout…a view that I thought was one of the best.
The panoramic view follows the Murchison flowing through the one hundred and fifty metre tall tumblagooda sandstone gorge,  taking the bend and opening into a wider part of the gorge where red river gums grow on the waters edge. A demanding 2.6km walk to the river’s edge is possible.
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Hawk’s Head and Ross Graham Lookout
As we left Kalbarri the next day, we stopped at these lookouts that weren’t far from the main road.
The Ross Graham Lookout offered an easy 700m trail down to the river’s edge which will give you a closeup view of the river.
The Kalbarri Cliffs
For a completely different view of nature’s illustrious work, head to the ocean.
Excellent lookouts have been created in the national park to view the most dramatic of the red Kalbarri cliffs and the features that have been sculptured in them by the wind and water over their lifetime. The furtherest point, Natural Bridge, is about thirteen kilometres from town.
From here you can walk along the Bigurda Boardwalk, a 1.2 kilometre raised walkway that will take you past Island Rock to  Shellhouse Grandstand.
Whilst you are standing on the cliffs, don’t forget to keep an eye out for pods of dolphins or whales which you may see from May to September. We happened to see six spouts from migratory whales whilst we were at one of the lookouts.
Natural Bridge
Aptly named, Natural Bridge is the southern most lookout. It’s particularly beautiful at sunset when the sun lights up the red cliff walls.
Island Rock
Not far from here is Island Rock. Once part of the cliff face, water and wind erosion has created this feature which reminded me of the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria
Grandstand
If you’re up for a longer walk, take the Bigurda Trail …an 8 km walk that continues on from here to Eagle Rock ….this is a clifftop path, not a board walk like the first section.
Eagle Gorge
This is one of the few lookouts on this part of the cliffs where you can take the rocky path down to the beach.
Red Bluff
Red Bluff is another well known lookout at the northern end of the Kalbarri National Park it is the highest point in the area. In one direction you can see the rock formations of the coastline whilst in the other, Red Bluff Beach beckons.
You can then walk from here to the beach or take a 3km nature trail walk to Mushroom Rock and Rainbow Valley.
Kalbarri Beaches
Closer to the township, you will find many fabulous beaches…soft, white sand and clear blue water.
Surfers may recognise the name Jakes Point. This beach is a famous surfing break and now a national  national surfing reserve…one for the experts! Just around the corner, protected from the breeze, Jakes Bay is for the rest of us as is the adjoining Siphons Beach.
If you like snorkelling, Blue Holes is the place for you. The partly submerged limestone reef that runs along this part of the coast creates fabulous little holes hiding many different types of fish, coral and sponges. It’s been declared a Fish Habitat Protection Area so there’s no fishing allowed here.
So much to do……
Unfortunately we did not spend enough time in Kalbarri. It’s a popular holiday destination, especially in the winter months and there’s a lot to do. Had we had longer I would have loved to walk some of the trails in the Kalbarri Gorges, even kayaked down the Murchison. There’s also fishing tours to take, abseiling to do, quad bike tours, cruises on the Murchison river, scenic flights and photography tours.
Feeding the pelicans is a popular free activity that takes place at 8.45am everyday on the waterfront just up from the visitor centre.
Information
If you’re coming from Perth, don’t forget to stop a the Pinnacles on your way up the cost. Just past Northampton, take the turnoff for the Kalbarri Scenic drive. Port Gregory’s pink lake could be worth a stop and if you’d like to see Australia’s only seceded state, stop at the Hutt River Provence and meet Prince Leonard himself. You can even get your passport stamped!
Stay
We stayed at the Kalbarri Edge Hotel….a Best Western Hotel that was perfect for a couple of nights.
Don’t forget Kalbari is very popular, especially in the school holidays, so you should book your accommodation in advance.
Eat
We ate breakfast and lunch at the Gorges Cafe… a great little spot on River Road
Dinner was at the Black Rock Cafe….huge serves, entree was enough for me!
Other articles on Western Australia that you may enjoy:
The Mysterious Pinnacles National Park
Keeping Busy in Broome
Looking for Fremantle
Sunset in Broome
Your pictures are just gorgeous, as usual. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Denise. I do appreciate you commenting and saying so.
It’s so nice up there! How lucky were you to see some whales. I’m yet to ever see one. One day!
I was pleasantly surprised Andrea. The whales were quite a way away! We’ve had some close encounters with whales on the way to Rottnest!
My body might be in N.Q. but my mind is somewhere between Rome and Kalbarri at the moment. I loved reconnecting with the Kalbarri area through your photos. When we return next I hope explore it for longer than we did on our last visit. We have two sets of friends who just flew to Perth direct from Cairns (excited) and drove around the S.W. corner for two weeks. I love the look of Blue Holes, Jakes Bay and Siphons Beach – bring on summer. 🙂
Mmm….Rome of Kalbarri? There is a lot to do in Kalbarri Jan so definitely plan on a longer stay than we had. It is hot in Kalbarri in summer and there are lots of flies so you need to plan when you go!
What a stunningly beautiful place. I’m in absolute awe!!
It really is Krista. It needs a longer stay than we had but it was a great introduction for us.
Gorgeous. Really makes me want to visit Western Australia.
Thanks Charles. WA is an amazing part of Australia. With such diverse landscapes from one end of the country to another, it offers visitors so much…you will have to come and visit.
What a stunning, austere landscape…I can just imagine how beautiful the sunsets must be along this western coast! Thanks for a beautiful introduction to a part of the world I know almost nothing about.
Kalbarri is but an introduction to the stunning landscapes the north of Western Australia offers Anita and the sunsets really are as stunning as you imagine. I hope you get to explore our amazing country one day.
Kalbarri is spectacular. I know friends went recently and have been encouraging us to explore this area and more. We do great light in Australia don’t we.
You have a treat waiting for you Paula if you do come and visit! I agree, our light is fantastic and the sunsets in WA are always sensational.
Everything is absolutely gorgeous, the Kalbarri Cliffs, Nature’s Window, Red Bluff, stunning! Thanks for sharing.
A pleasure Nat. We live in a country with some incredible landscapes!
Loved the pictures. Your story reinforced the reminder that I STILL haven’t managed to get to Australia. I always seem to fly over. Thank you for your delightful reminder.
Thanks Ursula..next time you’ll hopefully stop. There’s so many fabulous places to visit here.
Hi Jenny – There is so much grandeur in Australia aside from the typical places most visitors see in the southeast. Thank you for introducing many of us to Kalbarri. Absolutely stunning.
You’re so right Betsy! The Australian landscape is so diverse. Kalbarri is just one of many fabulous tops on the drive north until you reach the Kimberleys…one of my favourite areas in the country! You’ll have to come and send a few months of your travels here!
Kalbarri National Park in Western Australia looks and sounds so beautiful. I love your photos!
Thanks Marilyn. It’s got a bit of everything to see…wonderful coastline and amazing gorges.
fantastic photos!
Thanks Rebecca. It’s a wonderful part of Western Australia!
Spotting whales while walking those dramatic red Kalbarri Cliffs? Not a bad way to spend the day :-). You’ve piqued our interest in Western Australia…
Thank you for bringing back some very fond memories that I have of Kalbarri. Your photos are magical and conjured up happy hours spent walking, cycling and feeding the pelicans way back in 2010 – how can time fly by so quickly? #youvemademewantogoback!
Loved our time in WA (1993-1996)! We lived in Esperance and had some friends who travelled to Kalbarri and Carnarvon during the winter months – thanks for the awesome photographs!
A pleasure Dave. Esperance is a beautiful place to live…the beaches there are stunning. Yes, we all have to escape during Winter even though it is not as cold as many other places and north is the place to go!