Kalbarri, Western Australia

A short drive from Galena Rest area is the town of Kalbarri. The surrounding area has the most beautiful scenery. We checked into the Murchison Caravan Park and had a great site down the back. The park is large and has good facilities. It is right across the road from the sheltered bay. The cost was $41 for 2, plus $10 for each extra person. We only stayed two nights. Only travelling a short distance the first day allowed us to have a full two days to explore Kalbarri.

We headed south from Kalbarri about 50km to Lucky Bay campsites. We thought about staying a few night in the sand dunes, but the sand was so soft and the amenities few and far between. The beach however was exceptional. Due to the recent cyclone and rain events the road in was very wet and we would have had difficulty getting the van in successfully. But it was good to see the site.

Heading back to Kalbarri we detoured to all the turnoffs to see the wonders of Kalbarri National Park. So much to see:- Natural Bridge, Shellhouse Grandstand, Eagle Gorge, Pot Alley, Rainbow Valley, Mushroom Rock, Red Bluff, and the views are spectacular.

Each turnoff ends in a carpark and walking trails. The second day we spent at the main section of the National Park. Fees are $15 per car or $9 concession. Again there are a lot of walks and lookouts. The main attraction is the Sky Walk - Kaju Yatka, viewing platforms hanging over the cliffs, 100m above the gorge.

From the carpark one follows the Beemarra Serpent and tells the Dreamtime Story of the Nanda people and the area.

Information boards tell of the formation of the gorge millions of years ago and along the trails are statues of native animals. There is a cafe, but it was closed when we were there, and picnic tables scattered around.

 

Another must do is the walk to Natures Window. This is a circular walk of 8km, with the first km taking one to the Natures Window. Of course the trail was closed part way due to flooding.

The walk is very rocky in parts and care should be taken - and plenty of water.

 

Early Europeans to the area date back to around 1629 when 2 survivors of the Batavia shipwreck were marooned along the coast. By 1848 lead, silver and copper were found along the Muchison River by the Gregory Brothers. A year later Geraldine Mining Corporation was established. Further south, at Port Gregory and Lynton, a convict hiring station was established in 1853 Also at Port Gregory is Hutt Lagoon, also known as Pink Lake. Named by explorer George Grey who camped there in 1839. The pink colour is due to the presence of the carotenoid-producing algae.

A really pretty area to discover. Mid April 2021, Cyclone Seroja made a direct hit on Kalbarri and devastated the area. We were there mid June and damage was still evident.

Kalbarri National Park was the best park we went to in Western Australia, the gorges, the cliffs, the beaches, and the lovely town of Kalbarri.