Kalbarri Skywalk
Kalbarri National Park
Directions - The Kalbarri Skywalk is located in Kalbarri National Park, a 30-minute drive east of Kalbarri. From the centre of town, take Ajana-Kalbarri Road east until you reach the turn-off for the national park. Turn left and continue driving, stopping at the pay station if you don't have a national parks pass, and turn left when you reach the end of the road. Follow the signs for the Skywalk, where you'll find ample parking, although it does get busy during the July school holidays.
The Walk - The Kalbarri Skywalk is a new attraction designed to attract tourists into Kalbarri National Park, showing there is more to see than the famous Nature's Window. Completed in 2020, this $24m upgrade to the park that included the Skywalk and road improvements is certainly one of the most elaborate projects that DBCA has undertaken in the last couple of decades. With the yearly family holiday taking us to the coastal town of Kalbarri in 2024, this was a long-awaited destination I was finally getting to visit, and I was eager to check out the Kalbarri Skywalk in person.
Kalbarri had been on the to-visit list for a long time, and before this family trip was mentioned, I had decided that 2024 was going to be the year I finally visited. Combining the two trips saved me some annual leave, and along with visiting Kalbarri, I would extend my trip up to the Kennedy Range. Visiting the week after school holidays had finished, the first activity planned was a trip out to Kalbarri National Park, so everyone could see the main event. With everyone being on different timelines, and so many hikes for me to get through in the week, I said I would meet everyone out here after I had completed the nearby Loop Trail. Deciding that I also wanted to photograph the Skywalk at sunrise, I was up early and arrived a tick after the sun had peaked over the horizon. Luckily there were only two other groups here for the same thing I was, so I could enjoy some relatively tourist free photos. With the sun slowly rising, I briskly walked along the path leading to the first of the lookouts to capture some of the golden rays before they disappeared. With clear skies, there was no magic colour show, but it still looked a treat as I reached the main building in front of the first lookout that houses the cafe.
The two cantilevered platforms extend right over the edge of the Murchison River Gorge, that carves through the landscape all the way to the coast. Suspended 100m above the river, the views are incredible, as you look up and down the river valley. Spotting the car park for Nature's Window, that would be my next stop, and I could trace the route of the Loop Walk from what I had seen on maps, adding to the excitement of that impending hike. Taking plenty of photos, I eventually moved onto the next platform that is further to the north. I did think two platforms was a bit of overkill but seeing them in person, it does allow for some cool photos, as you get better viewpoints from each of them to photograph the other. With an empty lookout to myself, I enjoyed just standing in the cold morning air, listening to the sounds coming from the gorge below, and soaking in the early rays of sunshine. Due to meet the others at 11am, I didn't want to rush my Loop Trail experience, so left the Kalbarri Skywalk for now. Returning after my hike (a little late), I met everyone at the cafe to enjoy a beverage and muffin, pleased with the mornings hike, and my visit to the Skywalk.
Final Thoughts - I had my doubts when the project was announced, given how much it cost, relative to the spending on new trails in WA (a pittance). After visiting it still seems like a lot when the views were already there, but almost half of that spend went into upgrading the roads within the park, so that changes my outlook a bit.
Having said that, the Kalbarri Skywalk was not built for people like me, it was designed to attract a different type of visitor, and I understand why, even if I wish they'd also spend equal amounts on new hiking trails around the state.
The timing of this being built was also fortuitous, as Cyclone Seroja flattened the town in 2021, and having an attraction like this to draw people to the area went a long way in helping the recovery efforts.
Seeing the positive impact that this project has had for Kalbarri has swung my opinion, and seeing it in person, it's a fun experience that was one of many highlights of the trip.
Get out there and experience it!
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