Guest blog post by Cindy de Kok | Oct 10, 2025
Kalbarri National Park is a hiker’s paradise, and one of the best ways to experience it is with the Z Bend Kalbarri lookout and Four Ways Trail. These Class 4 hikes showcase everything from colourful wildflowers to breathtaking river views.
- Loop Hike – 9 km return | ~4 hours
- Z-Bend River Trail – 2.6 km return | ~2.5 hours
- Four Ways Trail – 6 km return | ~2.5 hours
With only two days inland, we chose to hike the Four Ways Trail, but not before enjoying the Z-Bend Lookout.
Z Bend Kalbarri Lookout
Our September visit began at the Z-Bend car park, which has plenty of space, picnic tables, and bush toilets. Entry is via a park fee or WA Parks Pass (a 4-week pass gave us great value).
A clear sign shows your options: the lookout walk (1.2 km), the Z-Bend River Trail, or the Four Ways Trail. We started with the lookout — an easy walk with a spectacular reward. The panoramic view of the red gorge is unforgettable, and it gave us a taste of what was to come.
If you only have time for one hike, the Z Bend Kalbarri Four Ways Trail is a great choice.
Four Ways Trail – Kalbarri National Park
From the same area, we continued to the Four Ways Trail (6 km return). It’s a gentler hike than the river trail, meandering down to the Murchison River.
The terrain shifts along the way: sandy track, flat stones, and finally boulders near the water. Being spring, wildflowers carpeted the trail — bursts of yellow, pink, red, and purple. We even spotted a parrot happily feeding among them.
The trail is quiet and peaceful, and when we reached the river, we were met with an idyllic sight: black swans and their young gliding across the water. It was the perfect lunch spot, so we sat down with a granola bar and soaked it all in.
On the return, we noticed even more detail — colourful stone layers, flowers we’d missed, and the changing textures of the gorge. Though listed as 2.5 hours, we easily took longer, simply because there was so much beauty to admire.
Visitor Tips ~Z Bend Kalbarri & Four Ways Trail | Kalbarri National Park
- Footwear matters – walking shoes are the best option for rocks and shallow water crossings.
- Lunch tip – the only inland food option is the Skywalk Café, just 10 minutes from Z-Bend. It served great sandwiches but closed at 2 pm during our visit.
- Save with a WA Parks Pass – it’s better value than paying per entry if you plan to visit multiple parks.
A: The Four Ways Trail is a 6 km return hike that takes around 2.5 hours. Many walkers take longer because they stop for photos, wildflowers, and river views.
A: Yes. The lookout walk is only 1.2 km return and is relatively easy, making it suitable for most visitors, including families with children.
A: While you can walk it in sneakers, sturdy walking shoes are recommended. The trail includes rocks, river stones, and shallow water crossings.
A: The only food option inland is the Kalbarri Skywalk Café, about 10 minutes from the Z Bend car park. It serves tasty sandwiches but closes early (around 2 pm).
A: Yes. You can purchase a day ticket at the entrance or buy a WA Parks Pass, which is often cheaper if you’re visiting multiple national parks.
A: The best months are April to October, when the weather is cooler and wildflowers are in bloom. Summer can be very hot in Kalbarri, so early mornings or late afternoons are better if you visit then.
A: The trail is considered moderate. It’s 6 km return with some uneven surfaces, rocks, and river crossings. Most reasonably fit walkers can complete it, but allow extra time if you plan to stop for photos or rest.
A: Yes, many visitors enjoy cooling off in the Murchison River at Z Bend. The water is usually calm, but always take care as conditions can change with rainfall. Bring a towel and plenty of drinking water.
About the Author
Cindy de Kok is from the Netherlands and spent five weeks travelling through Western Australia in a campervan. She’s no stranger to Australia, having already enjoyed a three-month trip previously. Cindy contributes to one of the largest travel sites in her home country and shares her adventures on Instagram: @cindy_de_kok