 Visit Kalbarri WA
Nestled where the Murchison River flows into the Indian Ocean, two hours' drive north from Geraldton, is the ideally situated town of Kalbarri. This is one of Western Australia's most popular holiday resorts and is the premium place in the mid west for a total holiday experience.
Nature provides visitors to Kalbarri with once in a lifetime experiences. The climate is warm and sunny for most of the year. Marvel at the 186,000 acres of some of the State's richest wildflower bushland. With Kalbarri National Park boasting 800 species of wildflowers it is no wonder that on any day of the year you will find a bloom of some description. From July to October, the flowers' riotous colours fight for your attention, with new species of blooms appearing each week.
Take advantage of the calm waters of the estuary for swimming and water skiing. Stand awestruck at the edge of a towering cliff, take a deep breath and abseil down. Catch a fish from the beach, go surfing or hiking, play tennis, golf, or experience the unique wonders of nature as you canoe round a river-bend or charter a boat for a fishing trip.
Spot dolphins or whales so close up that your friends back home won't believe you. Ride a pushbike along miles of spectacular coastal scenery, stopping at secluded bays for a swim. For the true nature lover, a visit to the parrot breeding centre is a must. Here you can view an active breeding program for endangered species of parrots. Also not to be missed is the daily feeding of the pelicans on the foreshore.
The town has good shopping, efficient touring services and sophisticated accommodation of all kinds. There are many touring services available both offshore and on. Canoe treks, whale watching, fishing charters, boat cruises and sightseeing flights over the National Park, coastline and offshore Abrolhos Islands offer fun for the whole family.
Coach tours of the river gorges, coastal gorges and wildflowers, stargazing, Harley motorcycle tours, abseiling, horse riding and camel treks are just a few things to keep you busy on land.
Paddleboats, dinghies, and windsurfers can be hired on the river foreshore. Stay in touch with friends via the town's internet cafe.
From nautical ambience, to a traditional Aussie barbecue, Kalbarri offers a range of restaurants and cafes, each with their own cuisine and charm.
Accommodation in Kalbarri is plentiful and includes resort style hotel accommodation, motel style, serviced apartments, farm stay, self contained holiday homes, backpackers and caravan and camping facilities.
Kalbarri National Park
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.
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.
'The Loop' gorge has an incredible rock formation known as Nature's Window, a natural rock arch that frames the view of the river below beautifully.
Along the coast are dramatic rugged sandstone cliffs with names like Red Bluff, Eagle Gorge and Mushroom Rock. They make for exciting exploration and wonderfully romantic sunsets.
Hiking tours are marked out in the National Park, providing visitors with a chance to discover the Park their own way and in their own time.
Springtime (September to December) is one of the best seasons to visit, as the region comes alive with colour. Literally thousands of blooming wildflower species cover the land, attracting enthusiasts from all over.
There are no provisions to camp in the Kalbarri National Park, however the town of Kalbarri is nearby and offers an excellent range of accommodation.
For more information on travelling to the the West Coast region visit Western Australia Tourism's website.
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