Kalbarri Skywalk (Kaju Yatka) is a must visit attraction for any traveller, whether passing through or staying in Kalbarri. Built in 2020, during the pandemic, it is the newest attraction in the Kalbarri National Park.
Located in the Yamaji Region of Western Australia, Kalbarri is a part of the traditional lands of the Nanda people. Its Nanda name Kaju Yatka translates to “sky” and “walk”, perfectly describing the two platforms that extend 17 meters and 25 meters out over the gorge with a 100 meter drop below. You’ll find beautiful Aboriginal artwork carved into the pathways and incorporated into the Skywalk experience, telling the story of the Nanda people.
The Kalbarri Skywalk has been built with accessibility in mind, and is both wheelchair and pram friendly.
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Where is the Kalbarri Skywalk
The Kalbarri Skywalk is located in the Kalbarri National Park, which is about 600km north of Perth, Western Australia. It’ll take you about 6-7 hours to drive here, so it’s not a day trip destination if you’re travelling from Perth. Most visitors choose to stay in the nearby town of Kalbarri.
If you’re on a road trip along the Coral Coast, the Kalbarri Skywalk can be a great place to stop at along the way. We have stopped here on our way to Coral Bay, which is another 6 hours north of Kalbarri. I would recommend staying in Kalbarri for at least 2 days if you choose to stop here on a road trip, as there is so much to do in the area!
How to get there
The best way to get to the Kalbarri Skywalk is to drive. As all roads are sealed, you won’t need a four wheel drive car to get here. However, if you’re towing, please note that you cannot take caravans or trailers into the Kalbarri National Park. You’ll have to unhitch and leave your trailer at the entrance while you explore.
From Perth:
Being that Kalbarri is quite isolated, most visitors choose to fly into Perth and then make the 6 hour drive up.
If you need to hire a car for your road trip, check out prices on Rental Cars to find a vehicle that suits your needs.
From Kalbarri:
The Kalbarri Skywalk is about a 30 minute drive east of the coastal town of Kalbarri. There is clear signage the whole way from the Kalbarri National Park entrance.
Entry cost
While the Kalbarri Skywalk is free, you’ll need to pay the entrance fee for the Kalbarri National Park.
A day pass can be purchased electronically as you enter the Kalbarri National Park. This will cost you $15 per vehicle per day. With so much to do in the National Park, the entrance fee is worth the cost.
Alternatively, you can purchase a 5-day holiday pass for $25. If you plan to re-enter the park on another day, make sure you do this! This pass can also be used for other parks in Western Australia if you are travelling in the area. There are also longer holiday passes available for purchase if you think you’ll need one for more than 5 days!
Opening Hours
The Kalbarri Skywalk does not open and close as such, but it is advised to visit during daylight hours. The Kalbarri Visitors Centre advises that the National Park is open from sunrise to sunset.
When to Visit the Kalbarri Skywalk
This area is great throughout the year, with the best being the summer/autumn months. December – May is generally a warmer and dryer time of the year, making it better weather to enjoy all of the outdoor activities. Please note though, it can get VERY hot during this time of year.
We recently visited in July, which is the middle of Winter. Although there were some cold days, most days were beautiful and great for exploring! However, you should expect some rain if you choose to visit during the winter months.
I’d HIGHLY recommend visiting Kalbarri Skywalk for sunrise! The soft lighting makes the surrounding landscape all the more beautiful. You’ll also find that if you come early in the morning, the skywalk will be free of other visitors.
How long to stay
You can stay at the skywalk for as long as you desire, however you should allocate at least 30 minutes to get the full experience. This will give you enough time to walk along both skywalks, learn about the history of the area and take a few photos with the view.
On our sunrise visit we chose to take our breakfast along with us, so stayed longer. There are a few picnic benches around, so made the most of our early wake up call and ate our breakfast with a view!
When to Visit for Photography
Sunrise or sunset is definitely the best time of day to visit the Kalbarri Skywalk if you’re coming for photography. The golden hour lighting makes for beautifully soft images.
Tips for Photography at Kalbarri Skywalk
- Visit at Sunrise or Sunset for the best lighting & to avoid crowds
- Take the photo from a high angle so you can capture the Murchison River in the background
- Use a zoom lens and take a photo of the one skywalk from the other.
Flying a drone at Kalbarri Skywalk
If you plan to fly a drone here, please read these guidelines before doing so.
While flying a drone is permitted at the Kalbarri Skywalk, you are not allowed to fly it over other people. Therefore, if you plan to fly a drone here, you’ll need to visit at a time of day when there are no crowds. We came at sunrise and had the skywalk to ourselves for almost an hour while we took photos and flew our drone. The golden hour lighting was another good reason to visit at sunrise!
What to Bring
The Kalbarri Skywalk has plenty of amenities, including two toilet blocks and a cafe. There are also some picnic benches in an undercover area available to use. However, there are a few items you may want to consider bringing yourself:
- Camera
- Water (there are no drinking fountains)
- Sunscreen (especially during the summer months)
- Warm clothes (depending on time of year it can get very cold in the National Park)
Kalbarri Skywalk Cafe
The Skywalk also has a cafe, which is the only place you can purchase food or drink in the Kalbarri National Park. They sell coffee, cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches and some hot food.
The Skywalk Cafe opens daily from 8am-2pm.
Tours at Kalbarri Skywalk
This Kalbarri Skywalk 2-Hour Tour is a great option if you’re looking for a guided experience of the skywalk. Transfers from Kalbarri town included.
D’Guy Charters offer a sunset, stargazing tour at the skywalk. It is family friendly and includes complimentary snacks and bubbles. Including transfers from Kalbarri town, it is a great tour for those interested in astronomy.
Tips for Visiting Kalbarri Skywalk
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing
- Dress appropriately for the weather – it can get very cold here, but also extremely hot. Make sure you’re prepared for the weather based on the time of day you’re visiting
- As the Kalbarri Skywalk is located in nature, you may encounter some wildlife along the way. Look out for snakes!
- In the summer months, make sure to visit either early or late in the day to beat the heat!
- Take your time wandering around the area and soaking in the views!
- Don’t forget to take lots of photos, its a beautiful place.
Tips for Visiting Kalbarri Skywalk with Kids
The Kalbarri Skywalk has been designed with accessibility in mind so if you’re visiting with young kids you can take your pram here! If you choose to leave your pram behind, the walk from the carpark to the skywalk isn’t very far, but you may want to consider a carrier if your child needs to be held.
Throughout the area there are a lot of railings in place, however it is best to keep an eye on your kids! There are still areas without railings and significant drops that can be dangerous for little wanderers.
Read: Family Friendly Walks in Kalbarri National Park
The base of the skywalk is see through. For some kids this can be concerning so make sure to keep by their side and encourage them along the way.
Sometimes visiting natural attractions doesn’t seem to interest kids. Get them excited about your visit by talking about the beautiful view, the incredible construction and how high above the ground they are!
Attractions to See After the Kalbarri Skywalk
If you’re planning a trip to the Kalbarri Skywalk, you should definitely explore more of the National Park. There are plenty of activities to do here, from hiking to natural attractions.
Natures Window
Natures Window is a naturally formed rock window that overlooks the gorges of the Murchison River, a renowned attraction in Kalbarri. Visit here for an iconic photo sitting in the window.
Loop Walk
From Natures Window is the 8km long Loop Walk, which will lead you along the gorges and Murchison River. It’ll take you half a day to complete and may be difficult with young kids.
Z-Bend Lookout
The Z-Bend Lookout is an easy walk that provides a beautiful view of the gorges in the Kalbarri National Park. It is a 1.2km return walk along a gravel path, which is easily achieved with kids. From the viewpoint you can see down to the river.
Z-Bend River Trail
If you would like to walk the River Trail (you can visit the Z Bend Lookout on the way) it is 2.6km return and will take 2 hours. It’ll take you along the river where you can even go for a swim! However, the River Trail is a demanding hike, with steep descents to the river through a gully and narrow chasm.
Kalbarri Accommodation
- Kalbarri Palm Resort ($): Located just a 10 minute walk from the beach, Kalbarri Palm Resort has 2 pools, a hot tub and a tennis court.
- Kalbarri Sea Front Villas ($$): Kalbarri Seafront Villas offers holiday accommodation in various forms. Some villas even have views over the river and ocean! Guests can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool and BBQ areas.
- Murchison View Appartments ($$): Murchison View Apartments feature an outdoor pool and a barbecue area for guests to use. all appartments include a full kitchen, bathroom and spacious lounge area.
- Kalbarri Edge Resort ($$): Kalbarri Edge Resort is just 5 minutes’ walk from the Murchison River with a solar-heated pool and BBQ facilities.
FAQ
The Kalbarri Skywalk is free. However, you’ll have to pay the Kalbarri National Park entry fee, which is $15 per vehicle.
It takes about 30 minutes to drive from the town of Kalbarri to the Kalbarri Skywalk.
Yes. All roads between Kalbarri and the Skywalk are paved and accessible by 2WD.
No, you cannot tow a caravan or trailer into the Kalbarri National Park. If you you are towing, there is a dedicated parking spot located at the entrance to the national park where you can unhitch.
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