Hawk’s Head & Ross Graham

The quieter inland road

Hawk’s Head and Ross Graham sit on a separate inland approach from the Nature’s Window / Skywalk circus. You still pay inland day vehicle fees. You still cannot take a caravan. You usually get fewer coaches and a closer, calmer look at the Murchison.

Use this area when you want official river access without the Loop, when Window parking is ugly, or when you are building a second inland morning after you have already seen the arch. It is not a secret back door into the park — it is just a different signed road.

Two nodes, one entry system

Ross Graham is the family-scale stop: short lookout paths and the easiest official way down to the river (about 700 m scale — verify live). Hawk’s Head is the lookout sibling on the same road system. Pair them if energy remains; do not treat them as a gorge traverse.

Pay at the Hawk’s Head–Ross Graham entry station. Do not confuse this road with the Loop/Z-Bend road. A day pass is still the inland product — coastal sites south of town remain the generally free system.

Toilets and shade shelters exist at some nodes (official accessibility notes mention the Ross Graham path network). Confirm on-site. There is still no drinking water.

Ross Graham river access

This is the place to let children touch the river on a signed path — with grip shoes, close supervision and no swimming-hole fantasy. River rock is slick. After rain, flow and exits change. Heat on the short climb back still catches people who walked down in a breeze.

A good inland option on hot days when the Loop is closed after 7 am. It is still a gorge. Carry water from town. Do not continue unmarked downriver because the walking looks “easy from here.”

The multi-day gorge walk is not a day walk

The unmarked Murchison River Gorge Walk is commonly described as about 38 km from Ross Graham toward the Loop, Class 5, typically 3–4 days. It requires prior registration at Kalbarri Park Headquarters, a minimum group of experienced walkers (commonly 5), cooler months only, and is banned November–March.

Contact rangers on 08 9937 1140 well ahead. A PLB is essential. This is not a casual overnight, not a “we’ll see how far we get,” and not something this site can approve. If you did not register, you do not start.

There is no casual camping in Kalbarri National Park. Town caravan parks, Lucky Bay (outside the National Park, cash, first-come) and private stations are the usual beds.

Highlights at a glance

• Ross Graham easiest river access
• Hawk’s Head lookout
• Quieter than Nature’s Window
• Multi-day gorge start (registered groups only)

Walks & lookouts nearby

Grades, times and open/closed status change — open each guide and verify on Explore Parks WA / DBCA before you go.

Itineraries that use this area

Map

Orientation only — confirm trailheads and road status before you drive.

FAQ — Hawk’s Head / Ross Graham