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Kalbarri National Park and the Kalbarri Skywalk In April 2020 the new Kalbarri Skywalk, located in the Kalbarri National Park, opened for visitors. We took the opportunity to ask Rory Chapple, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and Craig Poletti, Eastman Poletti Sherwood Architects, Geraldton-based Architects for the project, a couple of questions about upgrade works through the Kalbarri National Park.
Can you tell us about the Kalbarri National Park and the recent redevelopments? Offering both coastal and inland attractions, Kalbarri National Park surrounds the lower reaches of the Murchison River, which cuts a magnificent 80-kilometer gorge through the red and white banded sandstone. You can experience scenic gorge views from The Loop parking area, Hawks Head and the Ross Graham Lookout and soaring sea cliffs from Red
Bluff, Natural Bridge and Island Rock. A 1.2 kilometre section of the Bigurda Trail between Natural Bridge and Island Rock, set along the cliff tops of the coast south of Kalbarri have been improved with sealed paths and an 800 metre boardwalk to provide more accessibility. Two skywalks with a connecting boardwalk jut 25 metres and 17 metres beyond the rim of the Murchison River Gorge at one of its highest points, at West Loop. There are designated accessible parking bays, unisex accessible toilets and sealed paths at the coastal and gorge sites. What was the initial driver that triggered the concept for a skywalk in the Kalbarri National Park? We met on the site seven years ago with the regional representatives of Kalbarri National Park to look at what might be able to be done at this site, the highest point above the river in the National Park. Initial concepts and perspective images were prepared for a cantilevered walk
Photo courtesy of Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions 38
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