Expert Guides and Planning Resources for Kalbarri National Park in Western Australia

Dramatic gorges and coastal cliffs where the Murchison River meets the Indian Ocean

Kalbarri National Park

Kalbarri National Park occupies a remarkable position along the western coast of Australia, protecting a landscape of extraordinary geological and ecological diversity. The park's inland section centres on the lower reaches of the Murchison River, where millions of years of erosion have carved a spectacular gorge system through layers of Tumblagooda sandstone, creating a landscape of towering cliffs, dramatic meanders, and isolated rock formations. The river, one of Western Australia's few permanent watercourses in this arid region, sustains a ribbon of greenery through the otherwise semi-desert landscape, providing critical habitat for wildlife and creating one of the state's most iconic natural environments. The coastal section of the park extends south from the town of Kalbarri along a rugged shoreline where massive cliffs have been sculpted by the relentless action of the Indian Ocean. These cliffs, exceeding 100 metres in height, showcase a sequence of rock formations including the Natural Bridge, a large sea stack, and numerous smaller features with evocative names like Eagle Gorge and Shellhouse and Grandstand. The contrast between the red sandstone of the interior and the dark coastal rock creates a visually striking landscape that has drawn visitors to this remote corner of Western Australia for decades. The park's establishment in 1963 reflected growing recognition of the region's unique natural values, and it has since become a cornerstone of conservation in the Mid West while also serving as a major draw for visitors seeking to experience one of Australia's most distinctive protected landscapes.