the loop and z bend gorge

Really good view up and down the "Z Bend" in the Gorge. We walked down the track (ladders and rock scrambling) into the gorge and went for a swim in the Murchison River running through the gorge.Beware they are not kidding when they say it is REALLY hot in the gorge. Was a 31 degree day in Kalbarri (gets to 40 deg often) and walking through the short walks 1-3 km in the Gorge is hard work. This made the swim very worthwhile. Water in the river is warm. Although that probably depends on the seasonal flow.Entry fee is by way of national park entry fee. $12 per vehicle.

We visited both the Loop trail and Z-Bend. Both are recommendable, but keep in mind the Loop trail can be very exhausting in hot weather. The Z-bend is very accessible (just a few 100 metres from the car park). The Loop trail is an 8 km hike. When visiting only nature's window (the star attraction) the walk is on a well paved trail and only a few 100 metres from the car park. But when one wants to complete all 8 km be sure to bring plenty of water. We only brought 2L which was not a responsible thing to do. The tough parts of the trail are the start and finish which have a steep decent and climb. The 4 km in the middle are easy to walk. The red stone structures (incl Nature's window) which surround the river are very nice. The only thing bothering us were the flies, which were having a field day at that time of the year. Be sure to bring a fly net, if these buggers can be expected.

One of the main reasons for driving up from Perth to Kalbarri was to go to see Natures Window. About a twenty minute drive outside of Kalbarri, is the Kalbarri National Park. Once you've paid the $12 dollar entrance fee or $6 if your riding with a concession card holder (which we were, thanks Norman) the lovely smooth Tarmac ends and gives way to red dirt roads that take you into the heart of the park.Once again the sun was a glorious yellow ball in a sea of deep blue and temperatures where approaching 35 degrees. The sensible ones had adorned hats, whereas I'd just slapped some factor 30 on my bald head and took my chances. We parked the car and took in the stunning view.This National Park surrounds the lower reaches of the Murchison River with scenic gorges that meander through red and white banded sandstone cliffs.Flies immediately sensed our presence and set about attacking us in endless numbers. The Aussie Salute that came in so handy at Ayers Rock a few years back was soon back in action. We started down the trail as the sun beat relentlessly down. Now the strangest thing about attractions like this in Australia, is the freedom. Out here, at this particular gorge, you can literally walk to the edge, hang off the side, or jump off if you so desire. In England, this would all be sectioned off with railings and a Health and Safety guide would usher you away from the dangerous crumbling cliff edges. Not here. Do what you want. If you fall and break your leg, don't come running to us. So the message is, you're in Australia now, man up. So, back to the trail. The Z-Bend, a 500m walk from the carpark brings you to the most breathtaking scenery in the National Park. From the safety (not really a word I'd use) of the lookout, the gorge plunges 150m to the river below where majestic river redgums provide a lush contrast to the earthy hue's of the Tumblagooda Sandstone (I have no idea what that means but thanks guidebook). Next to Ayers Rock, it's probably one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Australia. The views are spectacular. After all posing for our photos, (copies of which are available on request) Norman and Christine stayed at the window, mostly taking snaps of Norman planking, posing and illegally climbing to the top of the window in a "made it ma, top of the world" style pose or if your a little more romantic, Titanic. If you've no idea what I'm talking about, you really need to watch more movies. Annette and I decided to head over to the next viewpoint where the terrain became a little more difficult, but the views no less spectacular. We were at the starting point of The Loop. A route around the Gorge that followed the Murchison River in a kind of loop, hence The Loop. The gorges have been carved over millions of years to form dramatic sandstone cliff faces which plummet into the Murchison River. All the while you would be balanced atop the crumbling gorge with sheer drops either side awaiting a missed footfall to certain death below. No Skippy to run into town to get someone to save your life, with just a few tuts. As mentioned earlier, the sun was still bearing down on us making it hard to catch your breath and our water was limited. The walk around the entire loop would take a minimum of 5 hours. So after what happened in the Olgas during our last visit to Australia, we decided we'd head back and show you the beach.Oh stop it, it's a nice beach. It's got Pelicans and everything.We rested in a seating area by the car, guzzled down cold water from the cooler bag before heading back. Now here's a little tip for you courtesy of the 'rellies' (that's Australian for Relatives). If you get back in your car on a ridiculously hot day and the inside of your car is hotter than the outside, don't just turn your engine on and blast the air conditioning. I'm reliably informed (by the rellies) that doing this can cause your cars windows to explode. You're supposed to wind down all the windows (does anybody wind windows down any more) and blast the AC (that's Air Conditioning if you live in the UK) until all the hot air has been replaced with much cooler air. Here endeth the lesson. That was another movie reference there, and if you didn't know that came from The Untouchables then you need to turn this off and watch it now. There's no point in putting in these smart references if they are wasted on you.So, back in the safe, no chance of exploding, air conditioned delight of the hire car, we set off back into Kalbarri in search of coffee and cake before taking a stroll along the beach.

The walk was stunning. I was with my dad who wasn't up to the full loop so we just did the Natures Window walk. The scenery is amazing and if you're in WA you have to get there.The signage at the park on the level of difficulty for each walk is awesome as lets you know what you're in for. Next time I'm here I'll definitely make time to do a longer trek. Well worth a visit!

We walked the 8km Loop hike from Nature's window and back and it was fantastic, with great scenery and a well signposted trail. You definitely need to be sun smart and take plenty of water, as well as set off in the early part of the day. We hiked relatively quickly from about 8am and were finished in just under 3 hours, but even then the temperature was starting to soar. The descent from the 1st 3rd of the hike is steep in places and sensible shoes are a must. Wear joggers, not cheap canvas shoes or anything open-toed and be prepared for the last 3rd of the hike, which is mostly sand. There are some tricky parts when you hike next to the river in the 2/3 of the walk, that require a little bit of a scramble from the path to a low rock ledge. The road out to the Loop and Z bend is unsealed, but if you take it slowly even a 2wd can manage with ease, just be sensible when you drive and watch for wildlife. The facilities at the carpark are fantastic, clean hygenic toilets and shaded areas to cool off. The path is paved and easy from the carpark to Nature's window, with lots of great shady benches to sit and look out over the gorge. The area around nature's window is uneven and rocky, but can be managed by most people with ease.

Although we didn't get a chance to do 'the Loop' as we have small children, the Z bend was like looking out into another world. It was beautiful, I loved it! My only dislike was how hot it can get, even during the early morning. Take plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat.

One of the most spectacular lanscapes I have ever seen. Sadly, we weren´t able to take the 9 km walk around Nature´s window. It was simply too hot (we arrived at 9 AM) and we were told that people had died on that walk in those temperatures. It is not recommended to take a walk in the summer at all (can be 60°C on the gorges and nobody will come there to rescue you if something happened until 7 PM - by that time you will be probably dead). However, you can take the Z Bend walk, which is very short and pleasant. From that walk you can go down to the walley (3 km there and back from parking) and that was amazing, definitely recommended (but it is not easy walk). Road is not so bad, less jumpy when you drive little bit faster, but watch for wildlife!

A great national park with the worse road to access it. Shame on you park management, we pay lots of money to buy a car and don't want to destroy it on your crappy roads. You are lucky I didn't come back to your office after the trip to stick a grader somewhere up, and teach you how to use it. You are all useless pricks, it is unacceptable to present a perfect natural touristic spot, what is advertised extensively with the worse road in Australia to drive to it.Shame, shame, shame, to WA tourism !!!!!I want my $12 parking fee back!!! Lucky was no park ranger on site to hit him in the head up there!

Kalbarri NP has an amazing landscape and the Z Bend Gorge is exemplary. Although partly unsealed the access road can be easily driven in a 2WD car. Take for crossing wildlife though.

Amazing views and not too difficult, even with 4 children. The kids enjoyed the loop with the nature's window the best, although Z bend is also beautiful. These two are far better than the other two located closer the Brand Highway. It costs $12 dollars but this is fair and reasonable. The roads in are okay, we were driving a Kia Carnival and no trouble.

Like I said before utterly amazing,seeing is believing. If you go to Kalbarri don't miss it... It is in a national park,so a permit is required or can be purchased fro the Ranger at the entrance.. " NO PETS "

We did the 9km walk and really enjoyed the spectacular views along the way. You don't have to be super fit to do this, just take plenty of water, fly repellent or netted hat and sunscreen. We stopped and rested along the way and took in the beautiful scenery. If you feel you really aren't up to the walk then definitely just go as far as natures window which is only a 5 minute walk from the car park. I would recommend you get down there as early as possible as it starts getting busy after 9am and if you are doing the walk, be warned that it is much warmer when you get to the bottom. I packed a snack in my backpack and we stopped at the little sandy spot at the bottom near the river and rested. The walk is a bit tricky just after here and you need to be a little more agile. We were tired at the end but so glad we had done it , it really is beautiful.

Not sure what John P was driving but we went in on 17th August in a Corolla 2wd and it is one of the roughest corrugated roads my wife and myself have ever travelled on. The first 12 km is great tar sealed smooth road. Fantastic. Then come the "Rough Road" that the sign warns you about. I had contacted the National Parks office and they said the road was OK for 2WD with care. If this road is "quite acceptable" then the road that John P has travelled on must be woeful. But then again if John P has a big 4WD it was probably OK. We passed 2 campervan type vehicles and they were doing about 15 kph. BUT having said that the facilities at The Loop car park are great (pity they did not spend some of the money on the road). We walked down to the lookout and to Nature's Window. The lookout is by easy path but with a staircase at the beginning. Nature's Window is a bit of a scramble but most people should be able to handle it. The Loop was too long for us so we gave it a miss. As others have said take good insect repellent or a fly mesh hat as even in August they can be a problem especially on warm days (as it was in the high 20's when we were there).If you do not mind the rough road certainly go but we were so put off by the road we did not go to Z Bend as originally planned.

The Loop was incredible! Spectacular scenery, and interesting terrain. If you're ok with the distance, and don't mind a little bit of climbing, you'll love this trek! Please take lots of water though. We took 1 litre each on a mild day, but it wasn't enough and we had to ration a bit. If it was a hot day we might have been in a bit of a pickle. The gorge itself can get up to 10 degrees hotter than the temperature in kalbarri. Be safe! You're alerted at the entrance to the loop that people have died on the trek. Take water, sensible shoes and a wide brim hat- then enjoy the experience! The Z bend was wonderful too. It's a really different trek to the loop, much shorter, with more climbing (but not too hard) and a lot shadier. Take a camera, you'll need it!

The road in is about 12 kms sealed and the rest a corrugated gravel road. Quite acceptable I thought. The road to the Z Bend gorge branches off the other and has some deeper ruts that require care. All in all there are many roads in my Home state of Victoria worse so don't let comments about the road deter your visit. The views are awesome, with Natures Window being unique and astounding .The Loop Lookout is less awesome but a must do. These two have synthetic recycled paths right to the lookouts...not steep but some steps. The last 70 metres to Natures Window is a challenge for the old, simple for the nimble. The Z bend paths are gravel quite steep at places but doable by most active people.Do this astounding attraction in cooler times as the sun can be hot and water a necessity. The work done on this feature by the authorities is outstanding and rates as such by us.