It was an uneventful drive back to the highway and then south down to the Kalbarri turnoff. Somewhere along the way, I looked up and suddenly there were trees around us. It’s been a long way looking at scrubby desert country. Then just 65km to the coastal town of Kalbarri. This road passes through the Kalbarri National Park where the Murchison River has carved some magnificent gorges, and the natural features are unique. Unfortunately, Parks staff have decided to close the road to all of this while they resurface and build new car parks. They have chosen the entire tourist season of June to October. Needless to say, the local tourism industry has suffered enormously, and I don’t think the rangers are on their Christmas card list. They are allowing access to just two commercial operators, but we are not inclined to pay $170 for the privilege of joining a tour. Kalbarri National Park will be added to our “next time” list.
The National Park isn’t the only good thing in Kalbarri though. There’s the famous Jakes surf break, just near town. We went to have a look, where the waves break right on the rocks.

You have to keep your eyes open so you don’t get washed away.

Just to confuse all the tourists, there’s another Red Bluff here. It’s redder than the one further north where we camped on Quobba Station. And the surf break here is actually at Jakes, where I took this photo from.

The Murchison River flows out to the ocean here, and the cray boats negotiate a vicious set of waves via a channel. It’s a good fishing spot – or so the fantasy makers say. The boys came back empty handed again.