Z Bend Lookout affords a spectacular view of the zig-zagging Murchison River in Kalbarri National Park.
Overlooking a sharp and striking bend in the Murchison River, Z Bend Lookout offers a one-of-a-kind view of the gorge. It’s a major highlight of our tours to Kalbarri National Park and is easily accessible on a short but moderately challenging walk. More adventurous travellers can even hike down into the gorge for a more immersive experience!
We’ve created this guide to Z Bend Lookout to help you plan your visit here. If after reading you’re inspired to make your trip, feel free to browse our Kalbarri Day Tours!
Z Bend Lookout is located a 20-minute drive from the entrance to Kalbarri National Park. From the designated parking lot, you can walk 600 metres to Z Bend Lookout along a rugged trail with some steps. This Class 3 path takes about an hour to complete there and back and is suitable for most people. More fit and prepared hikers can descend further into the gorge and along the continuing trails.
Z Bend Lookout towers 150 metres above a sharp bend in the Murchison River. Along this zig-zagging section of the gorge, you can observe how the powerful water has cut through sandstone over millions of years.
To continue into the gorge, you can take either the Z Bend River Trail or Four Ways Trail. The Z Bend River Trail spans 2.6 kilometres in total and involves a steep descent with ladders. Once you’re by the river, you can spend your time swimming in the waters or relaxing on the rocks. The Four Ways Trail is more strenuous and spans 6 kilometres in total, but the longer distance affords you more time spent in the beautiful gorge.
If you visit in spring between July and October, you’ll also find the area blooming with wildflowers. Native flora that you can see during this time include orchids, starflowers, flame grevillea, and bird beak hakea.
In the gorge, you can also do some thrilling abseiling in the company of guides. After hiking into the gorge, you’ll practice on a wall just four metres high before tackling a 25-metre and a 35-metre wall! After getting your heart racing, you can have a dip in the river to cool down.
At the end of your adventure, whether to the lookout point or beyond, you can make use of the picnic facilities and enjoy a bite to eat while admiring the views.
Kalbarri’s breathtaking natural attractions don’t end there. A 10-minute drive from Z Bend Lookout, you’ll find Nature’s Window, a natural rock formation that perfectly frames the Murchison River. Here, you can take stunning photos or descend further into the gorge on the Loop Trail.
Just five minutes from Nature’s Window is the recently opened Kalbarri Skywalk. This impressive walkway extends out over the Murchison River and allows you to stand 100 metres above it! There are two main vantage points from which you can look out, the first jutting out at 17 metres while the second sticks out at 25 metres. Walking on the mesh flooring, you’ll feel almost fully suspended above the gorge.
Kalbarri National Park continues along the coastline, where you can admire the forces of the ocean. At the Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs, you can walk along paths towering over the sea and discover incredible formations like Natural Bridge, Island Rock, and Shell House.
We visit Z Bend Lookout as well as Nature’s Window and the Kalbarri Skywalk as part of our Kalbarri Inland and River Gorges Tour, ensuring you don’t miss a thing. If you’re hoping to explore more of Kalbarri’s trails on your own, we also offer an on demand Kalbarri Shuttle Service for hikers.
If this Z Bend Lookout guide has given you the inspiration to explore, feel free to get in touch with us about our tours!
