Kalbarri Skywalk
Kaju Yatka, meaning 'Walk to sky'
Kalbarri Skywalk is a must see for all travellers to the area. Float on air as you take a thrilling walk out along two cantilevered viewing platforms that hang in mid-air 100 metres above the gorge. Inspired by the region's Aboriginal heritage and beauty, several local indigenous artists have created interpretive artwork as an important part of the Skywalk experience.Discover how the gorge formed millions of years ago or see how many Australian native animal sculptures you can find and maybe discover a fossil or two at this world class tourism attraction.
Where is it?
The Skywalk was built out in the Inland River Gorges area of the Kalbarri National Park, as it oversees a section of the Murchison River. It is a 37km drive from the town centre, taking you approx. 30mins to drive out to it. All the roads that lead out to the Skywalk and the Kalbarri National Park are sealed roads and all accessible by 2WD. Once you have parked your car in the assigned car park, its a short walk down a footpath (150 metres) to get the the platforms, which are wheelchair accessible.There are composting toilets at this attraction.
How much is it?
You do not pay for the Skywalk but because it was built out in the National Park, you will need a National Park Pass to enter the area. You can buy these at the booth at the start of the Loop-Zbend Road on the way to the Skywalk, also at the Parks and Wildlife Headquarters on the Ajana-Kalbarri Road close to town and the 1 Day Concession ($8), 1 Day ($15) and 5 Day ($25) passes are available at the Kalbarri Visitor Centre. These passes are per vehicle, not per person. These passes and more are all available online at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction's website.
When does it open?
The Skywalk does not open and close as such, it is accessible 24/7, but it is recommended to visit the area during daylight hours as there is no lighting to be able to see out in the area. You drive through National Park land to get to the Skywalk, which is home to lots of wildlife and they are active around dusk and dawn, so please be vigilant and drive slower whilst driving on those roads during those times.
You cannot take your fur friends into the Kalbarri NP, or leave them in your vehicle. This is not a dog friendly area.
You cannot tow into the area, no caravans or trailers are allowed into the Kalbarri National Park at the Loop/Z Bend entry. The Parks & Wildlife kindly ask for all vans and trailers to be left in the township of Kalbarri in the designated unhitch areas.
Construction of the Kalbarri Skywalk
An impressive feat of engineering are the Kalbarri Skywalk canter-leaver platforms, allowing those brave enough to venture out over the gorge edge and hover over the Murchison River below. The first platform measures in at a 25 metre long overhang, approximately 4 metres longer than the Grand Canon Skywalk in the USA, and the second platform measuring in at 17 metres.
The sandstone that was excavated during the construction of the Skywalk, over 1000 tonnes of it, was all repurposed into the area to create the tiered landscape around the platforms. Rock anchors that attach to the rear concrete beam footings and bore 10 metres below the surface stop the footings from an possible uplift. The structures were pre-assemble in a workshop to guarantee onsite assembly would be a smooth process, with the 25 metre platform having 8 box beam segments and taking 3 days to install using a 350 tonne crane. Weathered steel and fibre reinforced polymer mesh flooring were used to construct the platforms, with erosion concerns in mind, these materials were selected for the longevity, strength and low maintenance so the Skywalk can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Inspired by the regions Aboriginal heritage and beauty, several local Indigenous artists have created interpretive artwork as an important part of the experience in the areas surrounding the Kalbarri Skywalk. This includes the Beemara serpent, central to the dreaming story of the Nanda people and the Murchison River, which is sandblasted into the footpath guiding visitors along the way. Sculptures of local wildlife along with other artworks line the pathways that lead toward the Skywalk. There you will find informative plaques and signage about the history and heritage of the area, local flora and fauna and construction of the beauty that is the Kalbarri Skywalk.
Image Credit: Yvonne McKenzie @Wondrous World Images
