The best ways to see the Murchison River Gorge, WA
The best ways to see the Murchison River Gorge in Western Australia are from the lookouts in Kalbarri National Park. However, the truly intrepid may wish to take on the multi-day Kalbarri River Gorge Walk.
What is the Murchison River Gorge?
The Murchison River Gorge is one of the natural wonders of Western Australia. Over the centuries, the Murchison River has carved out a gorge through the red and pink sandstone, creating an 80km, meandering gorge.
In places, the Murchison River Gorge is 129km deep.
Where is the Murchison River Gorge?
The Murchison River Gorge is the centrepiece of Kalbarri National Park near Kalbarri in Western Australia. It can be visited on the way out of Kalbarri to the north, on a road trip from Kalbarri to Monkey Mia or Kalbarri to Exmouth.
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.
How to see the Murchison River Gorge
There are several lookouts over the Murchison River Gorge within Kalbarri National Park. The Z Bend and Nature’s Window lookouts are among the most popular and easily accessible, although the Kalbarri Skywalk is the most spectacular. This expensively-assembled cantilevered viewing platform sticks out 100 metres above the gorge floor.
Murchison River Gorge Walk
For the truly dedicated, there is a multi-day, 38km Murchison River Gorge Walk which snakes through Kalbarri National Park. It stretches from the Ross Graham Lookout to the Loop, and is very tough going.
This Grade 5 walking trail is not well marked, and should be considered by well-prepared, highly experienced walkers only. There’s more information on the Trails WA website.
It’s also possible to go on a nature-spotting cruise along the Murchison River from Kalbarri, although this cruise focuses on the area near the river mouth rather than fully entering the gorge.
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