DISCOVERING THE KALBARRI NATIONAL PARKS

Oh the joy driving towards Kalbarri and feasting the eyes on the colourful roadsides with all the different species of wildflowers.  WOW!  I had to ask my darling to stop today as I just could not imagine seeing all of these flowers.

The Murchison Rose

Kangaroo Paw (The first I have found in the natural area)

Fringe Lily

Claw Flower

Would you believe this is called "Smelly Socks" and the previous photo is how it is before the flower fully blooms.

Wagoe Chalets and camping farm was where we pulled up for 4 days - 23 kilometres south of Kalbarri.  Great views of the ocean from all sites powered or unpowered and they also run quad bike tours along the beach.  The farm runs cattle and sheep from the oceanside  back to the other side of the highway.

Our view from our site looking south

After setting up, we took a drive back towards Kalbarri and viewed some of the Coastal Cliffs.   Firstly I had the exciting pleasure of spying a Thorny Devil on the coast road out to Natural Bridge and Island Rock.

What a camouflage on the road.

Resting at the shaded shelter along the boardwalk which connects Natural Bridge to Island Rock

Island Rock

See the pod of dolphins feeding below us - just breath-taking

Such stunning views along this coastline.

FRIDAY 30th Sept.  We took a drive back through town and out to the National Park River Gorges.  Only a small fee to pay to see some breathe-taking scenes today.  The first 12 km's is sealed but after that with so many vehicles the road was very corrugated and dusty for the next 20 or more klm's - but that is what you put up with to see all of this.

Natures window.

The West Loop Lookout looking down on the Murchison River and park hinterland.

Can you imagine this was formed 420 million years ago!

We took a walk out to the Z Bend Lookout only, not the trail down to the bottom of the gorge and back up to the top - way too much walking for Wayne and I!?

Saturday was time to catch-up on washing before the grand final of AFL this afternoon so did some baking to keep my darling happy.  Peanut brownies are the favourite for now.  Into town to pump up the tyres before we set off again so fish and chips for lunch overlooking Chinamans Beach.

Sunday we drove back towards Kalbarri and viewed more of the Coastal Cliffs and a 3 klm walk around Rainbow Valley loop.

Pot Alley with a huge swell running.

Worm Tube formations from 400 million years ago!!!

Love these banded colours in the sandstone.

These rounded boulders are closer to the bottom of the loop and glitter.

Dot, dot, dot, dot dot.......

As we climbed down towards the beach area, the water just pounded in over the rocks and swept in all the rocks and creavices.

Mushroom Rock

A quick shop to stock-up before we head on down the highway tomorrow and back to watch the NRL Grand Final.   OH NO.  Cannot get a proper reception on our television today.  NOT happy!!