Day 75 - Monday - 16 September - Kalbarri Gorges

Day 75

Sunday

16 September – 

Began Book 13 – Tullyby Paulina Simons

Kalbarri River Gorges

We were awake relatively early this morning, but remained firmly stuck in bed, at first just dozing and then reading our books. Once we were up, we had showers and then gathered all of our necessary items, before piling into the car for 930am and making the trek out to the Murchison River Gorges. 

We entered the park and paid the $13 fee. It occurred to us then, that we probably should have invested in National Parks pass and saved some money, but too late now. Once through the pay station gate, we continued into the park a further 25km, heading to the Z Bend lookout first.

We parked in the carpark and then followed the bush path. There were plenty of wildflowers out to lead the way and I stopped to take a closer look at a number of them. 

After about 10min of walking we reached the viewing platform, crossed the metal path and then took in the view of the river below, weaving its way between the rock walls. We watched people below who were doing the river walk, deciding we wouldn’t join them. 

We were lucky enough to time it right with only a couple on the platform with us. On our return, we passed a bus load of teens eagerly heading that way. I am glad we got in first.  Once we were back at the top, it was into the car and heading on to the iconic Nature’s Window.

As soon as we crested the hill, we could see that this was going to be a busy stop. All the tourist signage and brochures push this rock phenomenon, so it was to be expected that it would be a little busy. 

We parked the car and made the move down the stairs and along the path. As we reached the peak, we could see a Chinese tourist ding Saturday Night Fever poses on the top of a rock. Another Aussie couple came past us complaining about their wilful disregard of the safety messages and how stupid they were. We had to agree. 

We sat on a bench to take a photo and then continued around the rock face, Paul letting the Chinese tourists know what he thought of their reckless behaviour. Once around the bend, we were finally at the famous rock structure and thankfully there weren’t too many people crowding around. 

We took the obligatory photos beside the window and peering through to the Murchison River below. We both discussed camps we had been on, deciding that below were the spots we had spent time at. We watched the Chinese tourists climb over the window like ants, despite signage saying that you shouldn’t and we wished there were spring loaded traps that would fling them over the edge, the minute they stepped where they shouldn’t. 

We returned along the path and up the stairs, before making our way out of the park and heading further east. The next two stops were further out and were entered at a different spot. Once we turned left off the main road, we made way for Hawks Head Lookout. The drive in was very picturesque with smoke bush lining the road and yellow and pink flashes added for a little extra colour. 

We parked in the large carpark, relieved to see only a handful of vehicles. We walked the short path down to the viewing platform, where we could see the Hawk’s head rock structure and the Murchison River below. 

Our final stop was the Ross Graham Lookout. This is the easiest gorge to climb into and follow the river, but we didn’t bother. We took in the view above, watched a family clambering around below and then returned to the car to grab our lunch things. 

We sat at a picnic table, fighting off the flies, as we ate our salad rolls. It had been a pleasant morning, but we were ready to head back to town. Paul was keen for a beer, so we stopped in at the tavern for a quick one. It didn’t leave him satisfied, so we made our way to Finlay’s so he could enjoy a couple of pints of their Citra. He chatted with the owner, Warwick, before we made our way back to the van. 

We didn’t hang around for long, as we needed a few things from the IGA. We walked the short distance, checking the fish truck first and then stopping in at the shop and then the bottle-o. 

Paul was looking to get out for a fish from the jetty and I was keen to walk the beach, so we gathered what was needed and then left the van once again. I followed Paul to the jetty, before leaving him with it and making my way down to the sand of the river. I left my thongs by a bush and then walked the water’s edge all the way to Chinaman’s Beach. 

It was very pleasant wandering in the afternoon sun, there was a bit of a breeze that occasionally whipped up the sand, but it didn’t bother me greatly. I watched a golden retriever dive in and out of the water, after a ball, which made me pine for Yogi, but I knew we would be seeing him soon enough. 

Once I had reached my destination, I turned around and made my way back, taking photos as I pleased. Paul had texted me a photo of his catch, a silver bream, but it was too small and had to go back. Turns out he had caught a few, but nothing came home with us. 

By the time I met him back on the jetty, the wind was blowing, the cloud was rolling in and it was cool. We were happy to return to the van and hide away from the elements. Dinner was a can of soup. I think we were both still full from our indulgent evening last night. It was long before we were looking for the comfort of bed and an early night.