Murchison River

Ah, that special river. So unique, so pristine, so much a part of the Kalbarri experience. The Murchison is very much the reason for Kalbarri’s existence, for unlike any other river on the Mid West coast the Murchison is alive, vital and without a doubt spectacular. Its catchment area is bigger than some Australian states.

At rest its gorges are a scenic delight. In flood its power is awesome. During winter rains it rivals a Garden of Eden. In the dead heat of summer it is a means of survival for native and feral animals alike.

Only a few million years young, it has carved a gorge through the ancient and spectacular Tumblagooda Sandstone. The contrast of brownish red and purple against the bands of white is one of the wonders of the National Park, and draws thousands of visitors each year. Its banded sandstone layers are rich with trace fossils dating back to the very dawn of life.

Today the Murchison is home to eagles, songbirds and wetland waders alike — nearly 200 species, if you care to count them, and they attract as many “birdos” every year as the wildflowers do their own enthusiasts. Emus sip from the river’s edge, sea eagles pluck its abundant fish life, dozens of black swans breed in its shallow pools.

Its tidal reaches abound in fish — bream, whiting, mulloway and much more. It is also home to blue mannas, mud crabs and untold shell life throughout the year. Whales frequent the entrance and dolphins play in the lower reaches, chasing fat mullet in to the anchorage.

The Murchison is here for you to enjoy. This is a river you can explore to your heart’s delight. It is the centrefold of the trek you will always remember, the canoe trip you will never forget. The connection is almost spiritual. Wade the shallows, take in a sunset from an inner beach, enjoy the evening’s reflection from a sidewalk cafe. See it in the autumn mist, watch it shimmer in the mid-summer mid-day heat. Give it a chance and it just might become your reason for being here, too.