Kalbarri National Park
The Kalbarri National Park is located 590 kilometres north of Perth and 160 kilometres north of Geraldton. Kalbarri National Park is approximately a seven hour drive north of Perth, and stretches 50 kilometres inland from the coast and covers over 183,000 hectares. The spectacular scenery of Kalbarri National Park is the result of many millions of years of geological formation. Beneath the landscape are deep, horizontal bands of multi-coloured sands which were deposited in layers some 400 million years ago. Wild Australian beauty is unsurpassed at Kalbarri National Park, which encompasses the lower reaches of the mighty Murchison River, as it winds its way through speclacular red gorges to the Indian Ocean.
Surrounding the coastal fishing and holiday town of Kalbarri, the Park is arguably one of the best National Parks in Australia. A main feature is the winding Murchison River, which has cut magnificent red and white banded gorges for 80 kilometres through the Park, as it carves its way to the sea. Gravel roads lead to some of the more interesting gorges where you can explore the river and take in the incredible scenery. These spectacular sceneries of Kalbarri National Park are the result of many millions of years of geological formation. Beneath the landscape are deep, horizontal bands of multi-coloured sands which were deposited in layers some 400 million years ago.
The thinly bedded, red and white banded rocks seen through most of the river gorge and at the foot of Red Bluff were deposited on tidal flats. Rippled surfaces can be seen in many places, such as around Nature’s Window (pictured above). The ripples were formed by waves moving over the tidal flats. Some beds (such as on the way down the Z-Bend and in overhangs at The Loop) look as if they have been riddled by plant roots, and often have a ‘can of worms’ appearance. These are burrows left by worms sheltering in the sand. Tracks and trails on flat surfaces show where animals crawled across the damp sedimentary surface.
The sedimentary rock formation found in the gorge and on the coast is called the Tumblagooda sandstone. Along the coast, wind and wave erosion has exposed the layers of the coastal cliffs that rise more than 100 metres above the ocean. From Red Bluff, extensive views south overlook colourful coastal limestone and sandstone ledges. There are scenic sites at Mushroom Rock, Rainbow Valley, Pot Alley and Eagle Gorge, to name but a few.
Related Travel Information
Kalbarri
The town of Kalbarri itself is a well known tourist spot for holiday makers in Western Australia and a popular destination for the residents of its nearest major City, Geraldton. Kalbarri National Park covers 183 004 hectares. The park is located on the lower reaches of the Murchison River, which has cut magnificent red and white banded gorges for 80 kilometres, as it carves its way to the sea. The many and varied features of Kalbarri provide visitors with an array of things to see and do. Marvel at nature's ability to carve the landscape. Explore the depths and heights
Outback Coast And Gascoyne Region
With its safe swimming, spectacular diving and snorkeling, and lively marine life, the Outback Coast stretches from Shark Bay and its dolphins in the south to the whale sharks and corals of the Ningaloo Marine Park in the north. Though the region sees plenty of visitors year-round, winter is peak season, when caravanning Perthites park themselves along the sunny coast to wait out the cold weather down south.
Of the major coastal destinations between Perth and Exmouth, only Geraldton and Carnarvon are actually along Hwy 1. Kalbarri, Shark Bay, and Exmouth all require sig¬nificant detours. The routes
Nambung National Park
Nambung National Park is situated on the coast of Western Australia and is about three hours travelling time north of Perth. This park features beautiful beaches, coastal dune systems, shady groves of tuart trees and low heathland rich in flowering plants. The vegetation bursts into flower from August to October, creating a memorable spectacle for visitors. In the midst of this diversity is one of Australia's most fascinating areas - the Pinnacles Desert, one of Australia's best known landscapes. Here, thousands of huge limestone pillars rise from the shifting yellow sands.
Low scrub throughout the park makes easy walking
Midlands And Batayia Coast
Renowned as much for the seas of bright color that blanket the region during the autumn wildflower season as for its beautiful coast, this region depends on fishing, agriculture, and tourism to earn its keep. The Branch Hwy marches north from Perth a few dozen kilometers inland from the coastline of the Indian Ocean, while the wheat-growing Midlands extend for hundreds of kilometers to the east. The Batavia Coast stretches from just north of the Pinnacles up as far as the red cliffs of Kalbarri, and takes its name from the most famous of the many shipwrecks
Southern and Darling Downs
A lush tropical crown atop a vast interior desert, the winterless Top End enjoys per¬petually warm weather; seasons here are divided only into the Wet and the Dry. Dur¬ing the May-to-October dry season, backpack-toting pilgrims descend on the city of Darwin to worship its twin deities: a cloudless sky and a shirtless culture. While enjoying the budding metropolis itself, travelers also use this oasis of civilization as a base from which to explore the region's prime natural wonder—Kakadu National Park. A spectacular rainforest reserve crawling with exotic antipodean wildlife, Kakadu is Australia's largest national park and is
