We have now moved on to Kalbarri about 150 km south of Shark Bay. It is where the Murchison River reaches the sea. My readers will remember the storm scenes from a few blogs back where we crossed the Murchison much higher in its catchment on the way to Murchison Settlement. Well it’s a pretty wild entry to the sea. It’s not a sand bar but a rock bar, a lateral approach along the beach front in between rock platforms, doesn’t seem to be for the faint hearted. Here it is. A Fisheries boat made the crossing.

Crossing the Murchison River Bar.

Kalbarri has two main attractions (fishing is also up there!). The first is the inland gorges, through which the Murchison River passes, and the second is the coastal cliffs, against which the Indian Ocean crashes. The parkland  surrounding the river where it enters the sea is also memorable. Remembering the much drier countryside where the river has its source and then finally seeing it pouring into the sea through the rocky bar was a special moment. The Murchison is WA second longest River.

The gorges of Kalbarri NP are also  a great sight. The iconic Natures Window attracts lots of tourists. The beautiful people like to sit in the rock window for a photo, as if ignoring the majesty of the Murchison gorge. Then maybe I’ m being unkind? Some of them were beautiful! Homealone couldn’t venture out here so another picture of a beautiful person couldn’t be taken!

Nature’s Window.

Looking along the Murchison Gorge at Z Bend.

The wild flowers are also in abundance. There has been a gradual change from the inland areas as we have moved towards the coast. The wildflowers are now on shrubs and trees as much as on the ground. We have seen a patch of Kangaroo Paw and also the Murchison Rose, all around has been the smoke bush. Truly,  a mass of colour. Also a plant called a Verticordia (something ?????)  a mass of yellow flowers on a single stem it hasn’t been seen in Kalbarri for 18 years or so, according to a ranger.

Mangles Kangaroo Paw among some Smoke Bush.

Verticordia

The limestone coastal cliffs are also a great spectacle of nature. The sea is certainly eating it’s way inland, leaving all sorts of curious landmarks. One could potter along the coastal cliff trail for ages. It is a bit like the Great Ocean Rd in Victoria.

Natural Bridge

Island Rock.

Another highlight of our time in Kalbarri was a roast beef dinner on the weber,. It was great, we had some roast potatoes, carrots and onions as well. All was accompanied by Homealone’s special gravy. Allthego knocked up some apple pies from IGA and warmed them on the weber for desert. It seems the weber was  a bit hot and overcooked the bases of the pies. Timing is everything! Someone said. They were left to eat for another day.

Apple pies have been over warmed.

More flowers…………..

Murchison Rose.

Wirey Honey Myrtle.

That’s all for now……….