Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia

Other worldly landscapes, adventurous hikes and sparkling sunsets. Experience the beauty Kalbarri National Park has to offer.

I am somewhat biased towards the red canyons contrasting with the clear blue Australian skies, it never fails to fill something inside me. But when it comes to wondrous experiences, Kalbarri NP was second to none.

Easily explored within a day, the park offers bucket list landmarks, from Nature’s Window to the manmade structure leaning out over the bending Murchison river, the Skywalk, and beautifully surrounded hikes that cater to all abilities.

Some national parks in Western Australia require a 4WD to reach each landmark, however every main road is sealed within Kalbarri.

Thanks to the sheer size of the park and undulating hills, these sealed roads allow any car access to the main beauty spots without altering the view of the landscape.

Nature’s Window and The Loop

The 8km looped hike from Nature’s Window was my highlight - heading across the top of a canyon down to the riverbed and back up on the other side of the delta.

Naturally formed tumblagooda sandstone, smoothed throughout the years by wind and rain, Nature’s Window forms a perfect viewfinder for the rolling landscape and winding river below.

Luck struck as we had a perfectly clear day on our arrival - setting an electric blue background for the burnt orange rocks to bounce off.

It was somewhat of an intimidating walk, with signs throughout telling unprepared walkers to turn around if they did not have appropriate clothing, footwear and amounts of water.

Coming prepared, we continued on in the mid 30 degree heat, and ended up enjoying such a peaceful hike.

Dotted with some tough sections, navigating the rocks alongside the riverbed and the climb back up to Nature’s Window, the rest of the walk really took you out of the every day and immersed you in the park’s serenity.

From above the canyon you can appreciate the sun on your shoulders, birds swooping the sky and feeling the immense power of the landscape that rolled out before you or on the other side of the canyon, stretching for miles ahead.

Down on the riverbed it’s hard not to appreciate the tapestry of wildlife that inhabits the area. Honing in on the sounds down there, thoughts are complimented by the soundtrack of wind blowing through the trees, chirping birds and water sloshing at the sandy banks.

It’s a walk that settles you in the quiet moments we seek in life, removed from traffic, pollution and chatter.

Skywalk

Find breathtaking views of the Murchison River suspended 100m above the ground. Included in the National Park fees.

I neglected to take any photos myself of the manmade structure - there’s something about the juxtaposition of the metal framing against the sprawling dunes that I simply didn’t appreciate at the time. I used the platform as an opportunity to look out at the never-ending horizon and take in the space between myself and the next sign of civilisation.

A 15 minute walk from parking, Z bend lookout offers uninterrupted views down into one of the sharpest turns in the Murchison River gorge.

This part of the river also begins and ends multi-day hikes along the river.

We met a couple who had travelled up the river for 3 days. Of course it had been tough in parts, but they sold us the dream explaining they travelled for parts of it on blow up floats down the river, then bedding down each night on the warm layers of red rock that had soaked up the sun all day.

Z Bend

Kalbarri really is a transportive place, during hikes into the gorge or looking out over the rolling sandscape, you’re taken to another place in time. Everyday anxieties seem to wash away and you find yourself in the steps of cultures and peoples of this land in times gone by.

Stay

  • Camp at Big River Ranch on the road into town, offering cheap accommodation, communal showers and a camp kitchen. Set out of the town, there’s options for peaceful walks around the area.

Eat

  • The Gorges Cafe - great Aussie breakfast options

  • The Little Leaf - delicious coffee, brunch and dinner from an independent restaurant, championing local produce and community.

View

  • Meanarra Hill Lookout - overlook the town of Kalbarri towards the ocean for a shimmering sunset

  • Take a drive to Red Bluff Lookout for wide open turquoise views of the Indian Ocean