The west coast of Australia. A part of the world where sunsets and surf are celebrated, and where desert land and gorges repeatedly play second fiddle. But strike the right chord on that instrument and you’ll find the perfect harmony: epic landscapes, refreshing destinations and a distinct contrast in location. This is exactly what we discovered when we took our Toyota Corolla (Betty) from the Pinnacles Desert to Kalbarri National Park.
Leaving Perth behind, we did so knowing that we wouldn’t be seeing a big city for quite some time. And the drive from the Pinnacles (in Nambung National Park) to Kalbarri is world away from tall buildings with bank logos and heaving public transport. The bright yellow sands of a remote desert are just a few hours in a car from the dark red gorges of a national park, with a coast that looks out to the Indian Ocean lining them both.
Limestone pillars looking like shards of honeycomb in Nambung National Park
The remnants of an old jetty in Jurien Bay
A section of Hutt Lagoon (the Pink Lake) in Port Gregory
In the centre of Rainbow Valley in Kalbarri
Walking through the bush to Z-Bend Gorge
A car parked up on the rocks of Red Bluff beach in Kalbarri
Staring out across the Indian Ocean towards a west coast sunset
Class 4 walking trail through Rainbow Valley
The view from the top of Z-Bend Gorge
Rainbow Valley to Mushroom Rock coastal trek in Kalbarri National Park
Looking out from “Nature’s Window” to the Loop and the gorge
Words by Dean Harries. Images by the lovely Trina Gill. You can check out their adventures on their Instagram.
