Kalbarri National Park

The basics

Some visitors like to cruise along the coastline of Kalbarri National Park, admiring the 330-foot (100-meter) cliffs from sea level, while others take scenic flights over the gorge-covered landscape. More active travelers can hike, abseil, raft, and canoe through the park. Everyone can enjoy peering down into the canyon from the Kalbarri Skywalk or admiring the views through the nearby Nature’s Window. The 5-mile (8-kilometer) Loop Walk starts and ends at Nature’s Window.

Things to know before you go

• If you’re wanting to stay in the area for a while, you can base yourself in the town of Kalbarri, on the mouth of the Murchison River.

• In hot weather, bring plenty of drinking water with you into the park, even if you’re not planning on staying very long. It can get extremely hot.

• Animal enthusiasts can look out for kangaroos, emus, echidnas, thorny devils, and many birds in the park.

How to get there

Kalbarri National Park is around 365 miles (590 kilometers) north of the state capital, Perth, which takes about six hours to drive. The roads within the park itself are sealed and suitable for 2-wheel-drive vehicles. The park’s gorges can be accessed from both the west and the east.

When to get there

To enjoy the 800 species of wildflowers in the coastal sections of the park, visit in late winter and spring (August and September). In the summer, temperatures in the gorges can reach a whopping 122°F (50°C) and the popular Loop Walk is closed after 7am from November to March. Come between late autumn (May) and early spring (September) for the most comfortable and safest conditions.

Swim at Red Bluff

If you visit Kalbarri in the warmer months, a refreshing ocean swim might seem tempting. The best place to do this is at Red Bluff, where white-sand beaches contrast dramatically with the red cliffs. The track down to the beach is steep and loose in places, but you’ll be rewarded with great views, a lovely swim, and even the chance to spot whales.