Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Virtual Australia: Kalbarri National Park


Today we continue the virtual adventure of Western with a visit to the Kalbarri National Park.

Located 301 miles from Perth to the north, Kalbarri is an edge park. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean at Red Bluff Beach.

Made up of red sandstone. This bluff has hiking trails and there is also fishing, boating, snorkelling and swimming off its coast.

Another well-known feature of Kalbarri is Mushroom Rock


Hikers often making their way to its flat top.


Rainbow Valley is nearby and parts of it are as desolate and dry as the coast is wet...in this land of many contrasts.



Crossbedded Sandstone with many beautiful layers in Rainbow Valley.

And as we virtually hike deeper and deeper in the gorge we come to Pot Alley.



 Locate in Eagle Gorge on the  Murchison River


During the return of the rains a roaring river...but during the summer much shallower and mossy green.

Another geological feature of the park is Island Rock


and Natural Bridge


Probably the best know (and most photographed ) rock formation in the park is known as Nature's Window.  Much like Arches National Park in Utah (USA) this window effect is a result of erosion from the wind.


Unlike Utah...Kalbarri has only one of these Arches. Despite its sturdy appearance,erosion will eventually take its toll and it will collapse into so much sand...to begin again, as so many already have in the Western US.

Perhaps a reminder that everything is temporary.

A favored bush-walking and hiking area in KNP is The Z Bend Gorge and The Loop (shown here)







Where a day's hike might bring you to the top of Hawk's Head...overlooking the river.



Also know as the Ross Graham Lookout.

Hiking Kalbarri

https://youtu.be/ITufelkf3Uc

More of KNP

https://youtu.be/lA8o4nQ6hko


Next:   We will check out Christmas Island WA...during the Red Crab Migration