Kalbarri National Park records more than 35,000 visitors this summer

A record number of visitors passed through the Kalbarri National Park this summer, with park rangers attributing the spike to the opening of the Kalbarri Skywalk last year. More than 35,000 people explored hiking trails, participated in local tours and snapped selfies at Nature’s Window during the school holiday period between December and January. This topped the national park’s record breaking 2019-20 summer season which saw 30,971 tourists visit the site. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions figures show revenue to the park over December and January increased by 40 per cent from 2019-20 to 2020-21. Parks and Wildlife Service Kalbarri senior ranger Mike Paxman said visitor numbers had skyrocketed after the coronavirus ban on regional travel within WA was lifted in June. “We have never had visitor numbers this high, not just over summer but really since the COVID craziness ended,” he said. “Last Easter was a non-event, but since then the turnaround has been spectacular.” Department figures indicate visitation to the Kalbarri National Park has increased by more than a third since the completion of the Skywalk. Mr Paxman said the attraction — which opened in June — has helped put Kalbarri on the map. “(The Skywalk) is a significant drawcard,” he said. “Kalbarri tourism is doing fantastically well… restaurants, cafes, accommodation providers, cafes, supermarkets, hardware stores and tackle shops have never done better.” Mr Paxman said tourists had come from across the State, with West Australians planning longer visits to Kalbarri than international visitors. “I have worked here for over 20 years and what I’ve seen is the international visitors only stay for short periods,” he said. “They don’t have as much time to really get into it and participate in activities.” Mr Paxman expected tourists to continue to flock to the national park through the winter months. “This Easter we anticipate is going to be extremely busy,” he said. Mr Paxman said most visitors continued to be based in WA, with uncertainty around interstate travel preventing most Eastern States tourists from holidaying in Kalbarri.