Kalbarri National Park is situated approximately 485 kilometers (301 miles) north of Perth, in the Mid West region of Western Australia. The park includes the Murchison River gorge, which stretches for about 80 kilometers (50 miles) along the lower part of the Murchison River. Impressive coastal cliffs are found along the coast near the mouth of the Murchison River and the town of Kalbarri. The park is named after a place in the Shire of Northampton, but the park's borders do not exactly match the area's borders.

Geography

Kalbarri National Park protects the desert areas with red and white striped Tumblagooda sandstone located east of the town of Kalbarri. These areas include the lower parts of the Murchison River and its deep canyon, as well as the river's mouth near Meanarra Hill.

The western side of the park safeguards the coastline south of the town. This area has tall cliffs more than 100 meters (328 feet) high. The coastal region includes rock formations shaped by wind and water, such as a sea stack and a natural bridge.

Climate

The park is open all year, but temperatures can be very high from December to April. The park is located in the northern part of an area where a Mediterranean climate meets a semi-arid climate. Winters are warm with moderate rainfall. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures often going above 40 °C (104 °F) in the inland areas. Temperatures in inland areas are often more than 10 °C (18 °F) higher than near the coast and in towns. Monthly rainfall is low, with most rain falling from May to August. Heavy rains can sometimes close roads leading to the gorge.

Flora

The Kalbarri area is famous for the variety and number of wildflowers found there. Over 800 types of wildflowers bloom from late winter to early summer, with the most flowers appearing in August and September. Twenty-one plant species are found only in the coastal cliff tops and gorge areas, mostly within the National Park. One well-known local plant is the Kalbarri catspaw, a small yellow or red plant often seen on land that has recently been burned, typically between August and September. Several types of orchids grow only in and near the park, including the Kalbarri spider orchid and the Murchison hammer orchid.

The small-petalled Beyeria, also called the short-petalled Beyeria, was once believed to be extinct. It was found again in the park in 1994. The group of plants in the park is one of only three known groups worldwide.

Fauna

The park area has records of about 200 different animal species inside the park along the Murchison River. More than 400 species have been recorded near the coast and around the town of Kalbarri. The tammar wallaby, which is in danger of disappearing, was seen in the area before but not recently.

About 150 bird species have been observed, including the emu, osprey, wedge-tailed eagle, and Australian pelican. Some of the recorded mammal species in the interior include the western grey kangaroo, short-beaked echidna, and spinifex hopping mouse. The only bat observed in the park is the Finlayson's cave bat. Recorded reptile species include the thorny devil, western bearded dragon, and central netted dragon. The only amphibian observed is Günther's toadlet. About 30 different arthropods have been recorded, including the Pilbara tiger dragonfly (Ictinogomphus dobsoni) and the savanna black tree ant (Tetraponera punctulata).

Activities

The most popular activities include sightseeing, boating, fishing, picnicking, and bushwalking. Other activities are abseiling in the gorge, horseback riding, scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing, and swimming in the Indian Ocean at Red Bluff Beach and a small beach at Pot Alley. Scenic cruises along the Murchison River and flights over Kalbarri National Park are available from Kalbarri. The construction of the two Kalbarri Skywalk platforms is now complete, and they provide broad views of the Murchison River Gorge and Kalbarri National Park.

Facilities

There are no campsites or other places to stay and no water available inside the park. People who stay overnight must use the town's facilities unless they are on a multi-day bushwalk or boat tour.

Features

Coastal area, beginning at the town of Kalbarri and continuing southward:

Inland area, located along the Murchison River Gorge: