Kalbarri

Driving to Kalbarri was really different.  We no longer were driving in stunted saltbush battered by the high winds but tall eucalyptus' and rolling field of wheat.  It was lovely to see the change and made the drive very interesting.  But it was short lived.  As we turned into the road that lead to Kalbarri again it was taken over by the typical scrubs of the coast line.  Still pretty amazing.  A storm was brewing and the sky was getting dark in the distance.  We think that we will be in for a rough wind night.  But as quickly as the front arrived it also disappeared.  Quite an awesome site.

We took a ride after we setup.  We went down to the information centre to buy fly nets and collect all the relevant fun stuff around Kalbarri.  We then road our bike to Chinamen Lookout and looked over the mouth of the Murchinson River.  The wind was blowing and the kids had fun flying like birds.

Storm clouds brewing.

The storm just blew away!

The next morning we headed for Kalbarri National Park Coastal region.  He we started our drive across the cliff tops at Red Bluff.  It was a great lookout that look back in towards Jakes Point and the township.  From he we then drove the scenic drive to Pot Alley(a secluded inlet for swimming), Eagle Gorge, Shellhouse and Grandstand and then finally into Island Rock, Castle Cove and Natural Bridge.  It is a pretty  impressive coast line and the Indian Ocean sure gives it a battering.  Well worth the drive.

Red Bluff looking south

Red Bluff looking north

Pot Alley

Eagle Gorge

Eagle Gorge

Shellhouse

Island Rock

Natural Bridge!

The following day we headed in the opposite direction taking in Kalbarri National Park Murchinson River region.  We did the drive firstly to Hawk Head...so name this because of a rock formation at the end of the short walk.  Then next we headed into Ross Graham lookout and walk down to the Murchinson River.  The trees were bent sideways from the rushing flood waters that pound the area each year.  But currently just a gentle stream of water.  Back in the car we head and took in a lookout over the river then at the main attraction.  Natures Window.  Wow it is as good as I had hope and even better.  I really loved the way the weather has eroded the stone.  Its really fantastic.  Our final stop was to Z bend which was tiring to say the least.  It was a long hot day and we were glad to have made it through all the walks.  An amazing National Park again.  Western Australia really do have some major drawcards.

Hawks Head

Wildflowers in bloom.

Ross Graham lookout about Murchinson River.

Unknown lookout

Heading to Natures Window

Our ever so important fly nets!

Just Awesome!

Z Bend

Our last day in Kalbarri was spent wandering around the Rainbow Jungle.   We looked at some colourful and gorgeous looking bird and parrots.  The kids raced around trying to guess what colour the next one was and if it was big or little.  The $40,000 breeding pair of macaws were impressive but I would not like to put my fingers in the cage.  One scared me to death when I was taking a photo of it as I was standing too close to the cage.  Shit did I jump a mile back.

Who's the galah then?

Duncan & Julia!

Nigel, Kaleb, Austin, Jordan, Dennis & Marion

In the arftenoon we then took the kids down to the Kalbarri Entertainment park.  They play on a climbing frame called the spider web, jumped on the trampolines and played mini golf.  Nigel and I even had a turn on the trampolines. It was a lot of fun.  Nigel ended up winning the game and Austin, Kaleb and myself all scored a whole in one.  Nigel got one by default because he technically had to start a hole again because his first ball went out of bounds.  Oh well we'll give it to him.

Look at me, I'm a star!

Off to Geraldton next.