A Kalbarri kaleidoscope

[JohnM]

Time to hit the road again.

Tomorrow morning it’s off to Kalbarri, at the mouth of the Murchison River, for a few days. Noted for wildflowers, rugged coast and river gorges (Kalbarri: Things to do in Kalbarri | Australia's Coral Coast, Kalbarri | Explore Parks WA | Parks and Wildlife Service).

It’s school holidays, but I snared an adults-only B&B . Being a special needs teacher, the last thing PJM wants is to be tripping over kids at accommodation.

 

[Major]

I notice you are back to Crayfish territory

 

[VPS]

It's not quite the same when you can't say, I'm in 1A for this one

 

[drron]

I'm sitting on the spare tyre.

 

[JohnM]

First stop was Nilgen nature reserve on Indian Ocean Drive just north of Lancelin. There’s a pleasant wildflower walk trail and elevated viewpoint across the heath towards the nearby coast and inland.

 

[JohnM]

Smokebush was in prolific bloom there and throughout Kalbarri NP.



This snake on the path was only about 40cm long.

 

[JohnM]

Final stop before Kalbarri was Hutt Lagoon - the pink lake at Port Gregory where there is a large commercial production facility for beta-carotene (Hutt Lagoon - Wikipedia, Pretty in pink).

 

[JohnM]

A look around Kalbarri on the first evening. The mouth of the Murchison River is fronted by a reef and a rough channel, protecting a broad estuary. Typical of the mid-west coast, very strong afternoon sea breezes are the norm.



Red Bluff, to the south, is a prominent headland and viewpoint.

 

[JohnM]

Then back to our tranquil out-of-town B&B for Champagne on the deck as the sun went down. Also the breakfast spot.

 

[Black Duck]

B & B looks pleasant. Would you recommend it?

 

[UP4014]

Haven't been to Kalbarri since 1994, worked at Eneabba and drove up for the day to look at the gorge, it was so hot I didn't venture far form the car before heading back south to Geraldton. Rugged and remote.

 

[JohnM]

B & B looks pleasant. Would you recommend it?

Certainly would. Two Tin Cow B&B. Gets top reviews. They accommodate two couples. It's about 12 Km out of Kalbarri and very tranquil - perfect when it's school holidays and especially with PJM being a teacher.

The breakfast selection is excellent and very large - but it negates the need for lunch.

There is a good kitchen in the accommodation section. I took provisions and own wine and cooked. It was well publicised that restaurants were crowded, staff run off their feet and advance bookings were essential. Too much hassle; we (well, PJM in particular) was there to relax and steer clear of kids.

One night we did go to Finlay's (Finlay's Kalbarri), which is an icon in Kalbarri, and squeezed in for about half an hour before the 6 pm bookings rush just for a drink. Judging from the IPA I had, they make excellent beer. It's a bit obscure behind the main part of town, but be sure not miss it if in Kalbarri.

 

[Black Duck]

Thanks JohnM. Sounds very nice and we quite like to be able to self cater if we want. I don't fancy really frantic restaurants at all.

A friend was in Kalbarri area in August and said it was flat out then too. Seems all of WA is out and about. I am on the south coast and its been busy here since the internal borders came down. Good for my small business but I could do with a break myself now.

Really enjoying this report as I have your previous ones.

 

[JohnM]

Each Thursday of the school holidays the local angling club ran a catch and release fishing competition for the kids. We went for a quick look before heading out to the gorges, passing a whimsical installation in the creek between Red Bluff and Kalbarri on the way.

When a kid catches a fish, it goes into a bucket of water and the men takes the kids and their catch on quad bikes to the weighing station. After recording, the fish are held in aerated tanks for later release.

There seemed to be no shortage of fish to catch and the kids were having a blast.

 

[JohnM]

Thanks JohnM. Sounds very nice and we quite like to be able to self cater if we want. I don't fancy really frantic restaurants at all.

A friend was in Kalbarri area in August and said it was flat out then too. Seems all of WA is out and about. I am on the south coast and its been busy here since the internal borders came down. Good for my small business but I could do with a break myself now.

Really enjoying this report as I have your previous ones.

Where on S coast? We are heading to Bremer Bay, Esperance and the Porongorups in January.

 

[JohnM]

Then into Kalbarri NP and we were keen to see the recently opened Skywalks (The wait is over - Kalbarri Skywalk opens | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions). We were not disappointed. Simply world class.

 

[Black Duck]

Where on S coast? We are heading to Bremer Bay, Esperance and the Porongorups in January.

We are between Denmark and Walpole. If you get this far over do come visit. Message me and I will give you directions.

 

[jastel]

Not been there since the 80's...
How much $$$ to go on the Glass walk thing?
I have seen pix of it on FB but you do better explanations....

 

[JohnM]

Not been there since the 80's...
How much $$$ to go on the Glass walk thing?
I have seen pix of it on FB but you do better explanations....

No cost.

It's not a glass-floored platform like the one at the Grand Canyon, although it is a gridded floor, so you can see through the gaps.

 

[jastel]

OK Thanks...someone told me it was a glass thing...most of them cost $$$

A good improvement anyway.