Day 72: Wed 29 May 24 - Kalbarri

Wed 29 May 24 - Kalbarri

18 to 24 Deg C, partly cloudy with strong gusting SW to SE winds reaching 45 to 70km/h, which eased in the evening. Thankfully we didn't have the hail and strong winds that caused significant damage further south overnight, but it still made for a restless night sleep.

We had planned to drive out to the Kalbarri Skywalk and other attractions today, but with the strong winds, we decided to stay closer to home and venture out there tomorrow instead. After breakfast, we drove down to the river mouth and found a nice sunny spot out of the wind to have our takeaway coffee and pastries which were most enjoyable. After our caffeine fix, we drove to the top of the headland, and walked to the Zuytdorp Shipwreck Memorial (see the link below), then further out of town to Eagle Gorge and Pot Alley lookouts and walking trails. After walking around for a while soaking up the views, we returned to the van for lunch, where Noel remained for the afternoon to do some baking. After lunch, I drove back out to Mushroom Rock for some more exploring, and walked the 3km coastal loop to Rainbow Valley and back. The walk started off down rocks towards the shoreline and along an undulating path across a gully and around the cliff face, looping back over the headland and back to Mushroom Rock. (Map attached below for reference). There were many interesting rock formations and amazing colours along the way. The most interesting sight that I saw was ‘pipe rock’, fossilised burrows created by ancient worm like organisms called Skolithos. Feeling a bit weary, I called it the day at about 4:00pm, and returned to the van for the afternoon. After a lot of broken sleep last night, we are both looking forward to an early night.

Pelicans awaiting feeding at the Murchison River

Pelican awaiting feeding at the Murchison River

Kalbarri - Murchison River meets the sea

Pelican feeding at the Murchison River

Kalbarri - A rough day on the water looking south

Kalbarri - A rough day on the water looking north

Kalbarri - Murchison River

The Zuytdorp Shipwreck Memorial. The Zuytdorp was a Dutch East India Company ship travelling to Batavia (Jakarta) in 1712 with about 200 passengers and crew and a rich cargo on board. How the ship was wrecked remains a mystery, but it is likely that the captain mistimed the vessel’s turn north towards Batavia and probably ran aground on the reef.  Read more here: Zuytdrorp

Kalbarri - Walking back from the Zuytdorp Shipwreck Memorial. 


Kalbarri - Coastal Cliffs - Eagle Gorge 

Kalbarri - Coastal Cliffs - Eagle Gorge

Kalbarri - Coastal Cliffs - Eagle Gorge 

Kalbarri - Coastal Cliffs - Eagle Gorge 

Kalbarri Pot Alley - Coastal Cliffs

Kalbarri Pot Alley - Rock Formations 


Kalbarri Pot Alley - Rock Formations 

Kalbarri - Rainbow Valley to Mushroom Rock walk

Kalbarri - Rainbow Valley to Mushroom Rock walk

Kalbarri - Rainbow Valley to Mushroom Rock walk

Kalbarri - Rainbow Valley to Mushroom Rock walk

Kalbarri - Rainbow Valley to Mushroom Rock walk

Kalbarri - Rainbow Valley to Mushroom Rock walk

Kalbarri - Rainbow Valley to Mushroom Rock walk. Pipe Rock - Fossilised burrows created by ancient worm-like organisms

Kalbarri - Rainbow Valley to Mushroom Rock walk. Pipe Rock - Fossilised burrows created by ancient worm-like organisms

Kalbarri - Rainbow Valley to Mushroom Rock walk. Pipe Rock - Fossilised burrows created by ancient worm-like organisms

Noel made a batch of raspberry muffins and kindly delivered two (still warm) to our young campervan neighbours. Needless to say, they were very impressed and super appreciative.   

Map of Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs and Kalbarri National Park for reference.




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