Kalbarri National Park attractions: Coastal lookouts, the Loop or Z Bend?
Key attractions in the Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia, include Red Bluff, Pot Alley and Eagle Gorge on the coast. There are also great views over the Murchison River Gorge from Nature’s Window, the Kalbarri Skywalk and the Z Bend River Trail.
Kalbarri National Park is one of the most impressive national parks in Western Australia. It is nominally based around the town of Kalbarri on the west coast, but there’s a slightly disjointed feel to this Australian national park.
This is largely because it is broken up into two sections. The western section is all about the coastal views, and the eastern section about the gorges carved by the Murchison River. There’s no reason why you can’t enjoy both, however.
6 great Kalbarri experiences to book before you arrive
- See the colours of the giant cliffs change on a sunset cliffs cruise.
- Have fun catching the local lobsters on a lobster pot pulling tour.
- Learn about the area’s history, nature and wildlife on a Murchison River cruise.
- See migrating humpbacks on a seasonal whale-watching experience.
- Take a scenic flight to Monkey Mia for a dolphin-feeding encounter.
- Fly over the infamous Batavia shipwreck on an Abrolhos Islands tour by plane.
Kalbarri National Park attractions: Coastal lookouts and Bigurda Trail
Along the Kalbarri Coast, there are several magnificent coastal lookouts. If pressed for time, pick the one at Red Bluff, then take the steep 700 metre walking trail down to the beach. But you’ll also find excellent lookouts at Rainbow Valley, Pot Alley and Mushroom Rock.
If coastal walking is your thing, then head slightly further south to Eagle Gorge or Natural Bridge. The Bigurda Trail, an 8km clifftop walk, connects the two.
Things to do in Kalbarri National Park: Loop Trail and Skywalk
Kalbarri National Park’s most famous sight is inland in the eastern section of the park, however. Nature’s Window is a naturally formed rock arch that gives a window-like effect as you look down at the Murchison River Gorge. The 9km Loop Trail gives hardy walkers all the best views, although if you just want to look through Nature’s Window, it’s a 800m return walk from the Loop car park.
A new addition to the Loop area of Kalbarri National Park is the Kalbarri Skywalk. This vertigo-inducing attraction offers two cantilevered lookouts that protrude out high above the gorge.
Z Bend River Trail on the Murchison River
Less visited is the Z Bend Lookout to the south of the Loop area. Here, the 2.6km Z Bend River Trail involves steep descents and climbing up ladders as you get close to the Murchison River.
No camping is permitted in Kalbarri National Park. If you want accommodation nearby, stay in the town of Kalbarri.
Kalbarri and the Kalbarri National Park can be built into the Geraldton to Carnarvon section of a west coast road trip from Perth to Broome. For more information, visit the Parks and Wildlife Service website.
More national parks in Western Australia
Leseuer National Park | Porongurup National Park | Yalgorup National Park