Murchison River Cruises in Western Australia

The Murchison River is located in Western Australia and cruising down this massive river gives you a glimpse into the geological history. Witness Mother Nature’s work as this magnificent river carved through the land creating the Murchison River Gorge along its 820 kilometre journey from the mountains of the Robinson Ranges westward down to its outlet into the Indian Ocean.

The mouth of the river is near the town of Kalbarri, and much of the river runs through the protected lands of Kalbarri National Park. The national park is a popular destination for tourists and travellers. Cruises on the Murchison River take you through the rugged wilderness of Western Australia.

Murchison River Through the Kalbarri Wilderness

By The Muddler [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Murchison River cruises give you the chance to sit back and relax on the ferry and enjoy the scenery. There are several options for Murchison River Cruises, you can opt for morning, afternoon, or sunset cruises. The Sunsets on the Murchison River are quite a spectacular site to see.

Sunset cruises have a full bar and includes a complementary cocktail. However, during the day, the cruise is a different experience altogether; you can spot some of the 200 different species of birds that call the river home as well as other animals that inhabit the area. Keep on the lookout for grey kangaroos and tammar wallaby. Morning and afternoon cruises include tea or coffee. All cruises include full commentary from knowledgeable tour guides.

Murchison River Mouth Near Kalbarri

By Cookaa (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Murchison River sunset cruises end here with a sunset over the Indian Ocean at the mouth of the Murchison River. These images show the diversity of the land here, with red rock gorges giving way to ocean and white sand beaches lined with lush trees and tropical vegetation; mountains in the distance. The landscapes vary and allow you to sit back, relax, and take in nature’s beauty.

Nature's Window Overlooking the Murchison River

By Hughesdarren (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Murchison River winds through Kalbarri National Park. Cruising through the river is not the only attraction in the area. From the coast of the Indian Ocean inland to the Murchison River and the Murchison River Gorge, visitors can experience the diversity and witness the evidence of nature’s history here.

Above is the famous, postcard perfect picture of Nature’s Window which overlooks the Murchison River. There are hiking trails with many lookouts overlooking the Murchison River. So if you choose to stay on land, you can still see the river from a much different perspective. You can see Kalbarri National Park also on horseback, from aerial tours, or by biking or canoeing.

Coast of Kalbarri National Park

By Bjørn Christian Tørrissen [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

If you crave exploring the coastline and the ocean of Kalbarri National Park, there is much to fill your wish list with. The Natural Bridge is another famous natural landmark. Millions of years of erosion have carved out this magnificent sight. Lookout points are available to safely give you a bird’s eye view of this spectacle of nature. Helicopter sight-seeing tours give you an excellent view of the Natural Bridge and the coast cliffs in Kalbarri.

You can also look for Red Bluff, Mushroom Rock, Eagle Gorge, along the coast. If you choose to venture out into the Indian Ocean, fishing charters and whale watching expeditions are just a few of the many options you can choose from.

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This author, Jason Hall, is blogger and Brand Manager for Budget Car Rental in Australia. He enjoys Australia travel tips and ideas.