KALBARRI

HEMA Map reference 76/D2

27° 42' 39" S 114° 09' 58" E

Statistics

Caravan Parks

Services

Attractions

Red Bluff, Mushroom Rock, Murchison River & Gorge, Nature’s Window, Z bend, The Loop, Pot Alley, Geraldine mine site, Warribano Chimney, Hawks Head, Galena Bridge, National Park.

Buildings of note

Geraldine ruins, Warribano chimney.

Calendar of events

January: Vision fun day. March: Fishing classic. June: Canoe and cray festival. November: Blessing of the fleet.

Cliffs south of town

Description

The town was started by fishermen in 1952 but the first (rather unwilling) white inhabitants in the area were two Dutchmen (Wouter Loos and Jan Pelgrom) who were put ashore after the Batavia tragedy in 1629. They were never seen again.

In 1839 George Grey was shipwrecked near the mouth of the Murchison River and became an accidental overland explorer as he and his party made their way back to Perth.

The town site was gazetted in 1951 and the name appears to have come from a local Aboriginal tribesman, it is also the name of an edible seed. The Aboriginal name for the area was 'Wurdimarlu' although one source says the area at the river mouth was known as Kaiber.

The town of Kalbarri is located at the mouth of the Murchison River and has become a Mecca for tourists.

The gorges to the north east, (estimated to be 400 million years old), and the beautiful setting of the town attracts people from all over the world.

Although it is not a policy of this publication to recommend profit making enterprises, one of the few exceptions is Rainbow Jungle - a parrot breeding centre – that is open to the public. Even if you aren’t all that interested in birds you should look at this remarkable place. The whale watching tower is popular during the migration months.

The coastline in this area is spectacular, the fishing - when you can get a boat out of the river mouth - is good, and there are crabs to be caught in the river. Kalbarri has all kinds of accommodation from basic camping to very up market apartments.

If you are heading north or south along highway one, there is an excellent campsite located on the banks of the Murchison River (Galena Bridge). Entry points to the campsite are just north and south of the bridge on the east side of the road.

This is approximately 10km north of the Kalbarri turn off. The campsite has tables, barbeques, a toilet and bins. If the south bank of the river is crowded look along the north bank, there are large campsites hidden in the bush.
 

Kalbarri used to be one of those places at 'the end of the track' and it was really all the better for it. Now George Grey Drive follows the coast south to Port Gregory, Horrocks and Northampton and it has opened up the whole area to tourists in a way that was not possible before. This has been both a good and bad thing, but Kalbarri is developing quickly and by the look of the housing developments going in along the hills south of town it won't be too long before it loses its 'end of the track' charm.

Geraldine Mine Site.

This is a site of great historic importance to W.A. but it is currently being completely ignored by the authorities as there are no signs or markers of any kind evident to show where to find it.

The turn off is just south of the Galena Bridge rest area on Highway One leading west. No sign currently shows this as being Geraldine Road but it does appear as such on some maps. Follow this unsealed road until you see a chimney (Warribano). There is a large parking area here and some ruins to explore.

To find the site of the old lead mines turn back the way you just came and take the second track left. After a short distance this opens up to a large area on the left. This is the old mine site and you will see piles of rubble. There are some open shafts here so be very careful with pets and children.