Day 77 Geraldton

Today we were up with the sun to drive to Geraldton, however we decided to detour to Kalbarri National Park along the way adding a extra 4 hours to the journey. It was such an amazing journey with colourful wildflowers appearing on both sides of the roads like people cheering us on, with another surprise around each turn in the road.










Our first stop was at Hawkes Head aptly named after the shape of the rock structure seen from the lookout.






Ross Graham Lookout this area is closer to the start of the Murchison Gorge system and is close to the river with a more open feel to the environment. Named after the first school teacher in Kalbarri, Ross Graham was a devoted conservationist who aided in the exploration of the Murchison River and was also the first teacher in Kalbarri.

The Murchison River is the second longest river in WA, at 820 kilometres long and has a catchment area of 82,000km2 (larger than Tasmania!) The river starts its journey in the range lands near Meekatharra, traveling across dry plains, hills, salt lakes and gorges with many tributaries forming this massive catchment area.












Z Bend gorge plunges 150m down where red river gums create a striking contrast against the earthy Tumblagooda sandstone. At this lookout you get spectacular views of the Murchison River as it winds through the landscape.






Kalbarri Skywalk offers breathtaking views from the West Loop, you walk on the 25m or 17m cantilevered platforms 100 metres above the million year old formed river gorges.








Meanarra Hill Lookout a limestone capped peak visible from several different locations around Kalbarri. At 207m above sea level this is the perfect vantage point for 360° views of Kalbarri and the Murchison River flowing into the Indian Ocean.





The dramatic coastal cliffs of Kalbarri's Red Bluff offer amazing views over the Indian Ocean. Towering 100 metres over the ocean below, the landscape has delicate threads of red rock that looks like tears frozen in time in formations believed to be 400 million years old.







Eagle Gorge located in the Coastal Cliff section of the Kalbarri National Park, is named after the wedge-tailed eagles that live in the gorge.



We have definitely left the outback behind with rolling hill of pastoral land and crops.