Kalbarri National Park Kalbarri National Park

The many and varied features of the 186,000ha Coastal cliffs Kalbarri National Park provide visitors with an array of From the coastal cliffs you can see a bewildering array of things to see and do. You can marvel at spectacular limestone capped, sandstone formations created by the river gorges and sea cliffs, admire the unique beauty tireless process of erosion by wind and water. Experience these of the peak springtime wildflowers and learn how the sensational panoramas at a variety of lookouts just a short, easy park protects rare native animals. stroll from the carpark at Red Bluff, Eagle Gorge, Grandstand, Island Rock, Pot Alley and Natural Bridge. The colourful coastal River gorge vistas are particularly breathtaking on sunset. Enjoy the coastal views as you amble along the boardwalk between Natural Bridge The spectacular scenery of the Murchison River gorge is the and Island Rock. Learn about the fascinating fossils to be found result of many millions of years of geological activity. Hidden along the walk between Mushroom Rock and Rainbow Valley or beneath the vast sandplain lies the ancient Tumblagooda enjoy the serenity of a secluded beach at Pot Alley. Sandstone that formed 400 million years ago. The river has worn away this sandstone over millions of years, and carved Caring for country out a stunning 80km gorge, to reveal the magnificent ‘layer cake’ of red and white bands that make up this sandstone. The Nanda Aboriginal people are the traditional owners of Ancient fossils can be seen in these exposed layers Kalbarri National Park. They welcome visitors who respect throughout the park, making it one of the most accessible the park’s cultural and natural heritage. places in the world to see tracks of some of the earliest animals to walk on land. Skywalk (kaju yatka) Located 37km from town, the Kalbarri Skywalk offers breathtaking views of the Murchison River gorge and its spectacular surrounding landscape. Float on air as you take a thrilling walk out along two cantilevered viewing platforms that hang in mid-air 100m above the gorge. Take some top holiday photos and enjoy refreshments from the environmentally friendly kiosk. Discover how the gorge formed millions of years ago and learn about the local Nanda Aboriginal people. See how many Australian native animal sculptures you can find and maybe Visitor guide discover a fossil or two at this world class tourism attraction.

GOVERNMENT OF Often seen at Hawks Head lookout this rare black-flanked WESTERN AUSTRALIA rock-wallaby is bouncing back from the brink with careful park management. RECYCLE Please return unwanted brochures to distribution points. Kalbarri Tourist tourist dies on death 40C walk A 64-year-old English warning tourist made a dash for help after his KALBARRI Police are 54-year-old girlfriend warning people to take became ill while care when visiting the walking a trail in town’s famous gorges extreme heat near following the death of an Kalbarri on Wednesday English tourist from sus- afternoon but when pected heat exhaustion. paramedics found her The 54-year-old woman under a tree she had died just after midday on already died. Wednesday, as a heatwave Sgt Michael Tite said swept the region. the woman may have While Kalbarri’s mid been the victim of heat day temperature on Wed- exhaustion, with nesday was 34.9C, offi- temperatures of more cer-in-charge Sgt than 40C combining Mich- ael Tite said with high humidity to tempera- create extreme tures at the gorge were conditions in Kalbarri often 10C hotter than at National Park. The couple had left the townsite, meaning by midday the gorge could Kalbarri at 9am and driven to the park have been as hot as 45C. where they began an “It can be very dan- 8km loop walk trail gerous there” he said “The main things peo-. about 9.30am. Sgt Tite said the ple need to do is take woman had become note of weather condi- disoriented and tions and ensure they incoherent about have sufficient water. At halfway along the trail least 3l per person is and the man returned to the car to drive to the Comfort and safety airport and raise the alarm. Caring for the park Easy access is provided to many stunning lookouts Stay cool. Don’t light fires. Visitors may use their own gas but beyond that, walkers need to be prepared and appliances anywhere in the park. very aware of the natural hazards and their safety. Be clean. Please take your rubbish with you, when you leave Wildflowers, Kalbarri National Park. Left The Loop, Nature's Window. the park. Discarded scraps attract feral pigs and goats, which Below left Kalbarri Skywalk. Heat stress can kill. • Summer heat destroy the habitat of native animals. can be extreme, Pets are not allowed in Kalbarri National Park. They can particularly on disturb wildlife and are also at risk of poisoning from fox Planning your visit the Loop Trail. Do not hike in baits, which are laid throughout the park as part of Western Located 590km north of Perth, the park is easily accessible hot weather. Shield wildlife recovery program. and all roads are sealed. Situated at the mouth of the • Carry and drink three to Murchison River, Kalbarri makes the perfect base for your Visitor fees help protect the park and maintain its facilities. four litres of water per visit. Spectacular wildflowers can be found all year, but Day passes can be purchased at park entry stations. Five day, person, per day when two and four week holiday passes are available at Parks and for the best wildflower experience, plan your visit between walking. August and October. Although Kalbarri winters are mild Wildlife Service offices, Kalbarri Visitor Centre and online at • Wear a hat and loose, long- shop.dbca.wa.gov.au. with temperatures ranging between 10°C to 20°C, summers sleeved clothing. can be hot, dry and windy. Be aware that when conditions • Walk in the cooler times of day. are hot in Kalbarri town, temperatures can be much more More information extreme in the park, reaching up to 50°C. The cooler months • Hike the longer walks in the cooler Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions are the most comfortable for exploring the park. In the months (April to October). Parks and Wildlife Service State Headquarters warmer months, plan to visit the park early morning or late • Hike the Loop Trail before 7am Kalbarri National Park 17 Dick Perry Avenue afternoon. Hiking in the river gorge is not recommended (November to March) Ajana-Kalbarri Road Kensington WA 6151 over the hotter months of November to March inclusive. Kalbarri WA 6536 Ph (08) 9219 9000 During this period, the Loop Trail is closed from 7am and Drinking water is not Ph (08) 9937 1140 dbca.wa.gov.au overnight hikes are not permitted. available in the park so always carry your own supply. Fax (08) 9937 1437 Services and facilities Midwest Regional Office Kalbarri Visitor Centre Wave risk. Massive wave surges have claimed lives. First floor, The Foreshore Centre Grey Street Toilets, lookouts, walk trails and picnic facilities are provided Keep well clear of the water’s edge near coastal cliffs. 201 Foreshore Drive Kalbarri WA 6536 in the park. Bring adequate drinking water as none is Geraldton WA 6530 Ph (08) 9937 1104 available in the park and mobile phone reception can be Cliff risk. The edges of the cliffs and gorges are Ph (08) 9964 0901 variable. Although no camping is permitted, a range of unstable and undercut. Stay clear of cliff edges and accommodation is available in Kalbarri. See the Kalbarri overhangs. Keep to the paths, lookouts and trails. Wear Visitor Centre for more information and bookings. sturdy footwear. Remotely piloted aircraft. Drone use should not create a danger or nuisance to visitors or disturb Cover Kalbarri Skywalk. wildlife. Do not fly drones above people. CASA regulations apply - casa.gov.au. Photos – DBCA, Alice McGlashan/Sallyanne Cousans Photography, Tourism WA. Rafting and canoeing Canoeing the Murchison River after heavy rains DIAL 000 IN AN EMERGENCY is extremely hazardous. Contact park rangers for Download the free Emergency+ app before your visit which can further advice. be used in the event of any emergency to call for assistance. 2020_566 1020 30M 1020 2020_566 If there is no mobile phone coverage you WILL NOT be able to This publication is available in alternative formats on request. call 000 but the app will provide you with GPS location details. Information current at October 2020. 1 Malleefowl Trail Walk trails of Kalbarri National Park Distance: 1.5km loop Allow: 1 hour Heat stress can kill Summer heat Class 3 Legend can be extreme and Begins 100m along the walking path to the Kalbarri National Park Sheltered picnic table temperatures can rise lookout at Meanarra Hill. Major sealed road Kiosk sharply in the gorge. Carry and drink 3 to 4 Minor sealed road Toilets litres of water per person 2 Red Bluff to Beach Trail For your safety and to per day when walking. Walking track Lookout protect the rock formation, (Gaba Gaba Yina) please do not sit beneath Wear loose long sleeved Entry fees Universal access or climb Nature’s Window. Distance: 700m one-way clothes and a hat. Avoid Class 3 Ranger station Walking track the heat of the day and hike early in Allow: 20 minutes Nature’s Window No caravans or trailers Bushwalking the morning. r e v 7 i R The Loop Kalbarri Skywalk to Shark Bay, Denham n 8 o s i h 6 0 3 6 c r

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Stepped trail from the carpark down a sandstone gully to D 5 Eagle Gorge R

I V the Pot Alley Beach. E Shellhouse Grandstand 5 Eagle Gorge Beach to Port to Geraldton Gregory Island Rock Distance: 1km return Natural Bridge Allow: 30-45 minutes Class 3 6 Steep trail down to the Eagle Gorge Beach. 6 Bigurda Trail 9 Four Ways Trail Walk grades classification (Eagle Gorge to Natural Bridge) (Idinggada Yina) Distance: 8km one-way Class 3 Class 1 Well defined walk trail with a firm, even Distance: 6km return Class 4 Allow: 3 hours Allow: 2 to 4 hours surface and no steep sections or steps. Suitable Class 1 for all levels of experience and fitness. Class 2 Easy, well defined trail with a firm surface. May include gentle hill sections and Class 2 occasional steps. Suitable for all levels of experience and fitness but may present difficulties for people with mobility impairments. Class 3 Moderate trail with clear directional signage. You may encounter minor natural Trail can be rocky with loose and uneven surfaces. Join Begins Z Bend carpark. Descends to the river from Z Bend. at Island Rock for a shorter route along a boardwalk to Class 3 hazards such as short, steep sections, steps, Natural Bridge. shallow water crossings, and unstable or slippery surfaces. 10 Z Bend Lookout A good level of fitness is recommended. Distance: 1.2km return 7 Nature’s Window Class 4 Limited directional signage and difficult Allow: 1 hour Distance: 800m return Class 3 sections. You may encounter natural hazards Class 4 such as long steep sections, water crossings, and Allow: 30-45 minutes Class 3 unstable or slippery surfaces. A good level of fitness and bushwalking experience is recommended. Class 5 No directional signage and very difficult sections. You may encounter natural hazards Class 5 such as long, steep sections and climbs, water crossings, and frequent unstable or slippery surfaces. Only Begins Z Bend carpark. Leads to a spectacular lookout over the very fit and experienced bushwalkers should attempt. river gorge. Overnight river gorge hikes – Class 5 Begins Loop carpark. Stunning views of the Murchison River Gorge can be seen through a natural rock 'window'. 11 Z Bend River Trail Allow four days of intense hiking to cover the Distance: 2.6km return 38km route through the gorge from Ross Graham to The Loop. There are no marked trails and river Allow: 2 hours Class 4 Class 5 8 The Loop Trail crossings will be necessary. Two-day gorge hikes Distance: 9km loop may be made from Ross Graham to Z Bend or from Z Bend to

Allow: 3 to 5 hours Class 4 The Loop. More information should be obtained from the park office before making these hikes.

Overnight hikers please note: • Overnight hikes are not permitted during warmer Begins Z Bend carpark. Expect loose rocks, steep descents and months November to March inclusive. ladder climbs. • Due to the hazardous terrain, groups undertaking overnight hikes should consist of at least five 12 Ross Graham River Trail experienced people. This is the smallest group Distance: 700m return considered self-sufficient in an emergency. Allow: 30 minutes Class 3 • Overnight groups must register at the park Begins Loop carpark. Steep in sections with uneven headquarters before making the trip. surfaces. Hike before 7am November to March. Begins Ross Graham carpark. Provides the easiest • All rubbish must be carried out of the gorge. access to the river in the park.