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Published: July 19th 2013
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BRRRRR, it was really cold this morning. The el-cheapo thermometer in the MH even refused to give a number for the temperature. Apparently this morning was the coldest morning on record this year at Kalbarri, and adding to the low temp was a steady breeze adding a chill factor.
However, as intrepid seekers of photo opportunities, we rallied and the four of us went into the Kalbarri National Park. This park covers a huge area, but today we wanted to visit Nature's window and Z Bend.
The road into the park has been closed for some time, and as a school holiday concession, it would be opened briefly today, Saturday and Sunday, then closed until October. The road (through sandy/rocky heathland) had badly deteriorated, and there was a need for new toilets and parking areas to be built. So, this is the year for change. In the future a sealed road will take tourists right into the park at strategic locations to enjoy the Murchison River Gorge.
First stop was at the entry to the park, but because we had annual WA National Park Passes, we were welcomed and sent on our way. The new road works are
progressing well, but we did have to dodge minor obstacles like water tankers, tip trucks and rollers.
The road into the park is around 26ks to Nature's Window. This attraction is at the western end of the gorge, an area of fascinating layered sandstone rock tinged with iron oxide.
Photos struggle to give a sense of size and awesomeness of the gorge. Most people just stood and enjoyed the view for up to an hour including time to get their pictures of the window.
Lucky we headed out early because by the time we were ready to move to Z Bend at the eastern end of the gorge, the car park and walkways were chockers with families on a morning outing.
The drive to Z Bend was about 12 ks I guess, and this part of the road was poor, though some unwise drivers tried to travel fast over the ruts, but had no control if required to stop quickly. Marg was trying to read out loud to us about the park, but ended up sounding worse than a stuttering goat.
The Z Bend is really spectacular. We walked the track down to the observation
deck and marvelled at the variety of colours in the rock face amazed us. Again, very hard to communicate in photos the depth and extent of the rocky structures.
July is also the start of Wild Flower season in Kalbarri, and at the Z Bend we found numerous colourful trees and plants bursting into flower. Look for a couple of pics below.
We returned to the Z Bend car park where we enjoyed lunch under one of the picnic shelters provided. We all chuckled over what is a really important sign - 'Heat Kills' . Today we were more concerned that the lack of heat may have turned us into ice blocks.
We returned from the park to the southern side of Kalbarri to Red Bluff. This is a large and colourful headland visible for many miles out to see. It is also close to the sight of yet another Dutch shipwreck from the early 1700s. The trade winds down this coast were used by Dutch Ships for many years before disaster struck right here at Kalbarri. The Zuytdorp was sailing to the East Indies with over 200 people aboard. She was wrecked here, and it is
thought that survivors came ashore around Kalbarri. However, there is no record of these people, so no one knows if they survived only a short time or were absorbed into the aboriginal tribes people. If it were not for important artefacts from the ship being found ashore, it would have been assumed that all had drowned.
What a difference a day makes. Yesterday interesting wave formations, today calm seas, but with their own beauty and rich colours.
We finished the day with a yummy dinner at Black Rock Café, and as it happens, celebrated the 5th month anniversary of our journey around Australia. So much for nostalgia, almost sounds like young lovers celebrating their second week of going steady.
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Mum & Dad
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Kalbarri National Park
Well that was a great collection of shots. Looks like it was worth the travel rough looking territory but picturesque. Cool stuff over there.