Kalbarri Historical Timeline

Long before European settlement, the Nanda people, known as the saltwater people, were the traditional caretakers of the lands extending from Kalbarri to Northampton. One of their legends tells of Beemarra, a serpent who journeyed from the Murchison River to the coast, leaving behind freshwater springs. The Nanda community continue to preserve their rich local heritage and culture.

1629 Batavia’ wrecked

Dutch ship ‘Batavia’ wrecked at the Abrolhos Islands. Two mutineers marooned at Wittecarra Creek.

1712 Zuytdorp wrecked

Dutch ship ‘Zuytdorp’ wrecked on the cliffs north of Kalbarri. There is a memorial feature at the top of Chinaman’s Lookout.

1801 Geographical names

Red Bluff named by Governor King and Geographe Bay named by French captain Baudin. Baudin’s ship was the ‘Geographe’.

1839 George Grey – Explorer

Murchison River was named by Lt George Grey who was wrecked on the coast between Blue Holes and Red Bluff. The first 12 streets of Kalbarri were named after his exploration party.

1848 Gregory Brothers

A.C. Gregory and party explored the Murchison River (moving downstream). They noted the river gorges and springs they located on the banks of the river near the mouth.

1849 Geraldine Mining Co

Geraldine Mining Company was founded – to mine for lead in the Murchison River. No. 1 Mining lease in the Victoria district. The mine manager was Lockier Burges (originally a grazier from York and one of Gregory’s exploration party). By the end of the following year, the first lead consignment

1853 Lynton Convict Depot

Close to the port of Gregory, a site in a narrow gully between two limestone spurs was chosen for a town and convict depot to house up to 60 ticket-of-leave men. They quarried stone and built a limekiln, quarters for guards, lock-up, barracks, hospital and bakery. The town never eventuated

1858 Murchison House Station

Murchison House Station was founded by Charles von Bibra and partners Wallcott, Gill, Logan & Sanford.

1864 Townsite of Northampton

Townsite of Northampton was surveyed and declared. It had originally been known as The Mines due to the large number of lead mines in the area. The railway was a focal point and the original tracks have now been turned into walking pathways and the railway station is an historical

1920 Recreation

Murchison River used for recreation, particularly by farming families from Ajana and Binnu.

1921 Airmail Service

First Airmail service to Derby crashed at Murchison House station. 2 airman killed, Bob Fawcett and Edward Broad. Burried at Murchison House Station. Left to right: Charles Kingsford Smith, Robert Fawcett, Norman Brearley, Len Taplin and Val Abbott (later to be Attorney General).

1945 First crayboat

First crayboat was The Cygnet owned by Cecil Crane and Mick Brindle who fished for crayfish and snapper. He took the catch to Golden Glen in Geraldton for processing, in his 1944 Chev truck.

1945 First permanent settlers

Reg and Sally Glass came to Kalbarri with their family. Sally cooked for visiting fishermen. Their descendants still live here today.

1951 Kalbarri gets a name

First auction for freehold land – 12 streets with the average upset price of 60 pounds. These streets were named after explorer George Grey and his party.

1951 Kalbarri gazetted

Kalbarri town gazetted from 15th June. The name Kalbarri is that of an edible seed from the Murchison area.

1951 First land auction

First land auction of freehold land in Kalbarri, 12 streets named after George Grey and his party, average upset price of £60 per block.

1954 First shop opened

Built by Doug Rowe, then sold to Alf & Eileen Cherico. In 1959 Merv & Lorna Browne bought the shop. The present building on this site is Bonney Browne’s home and pharmacy.

1959 First school established

Kalbarri School opened on the foreshore near Chinaman’s Beach. The building had been a holiday shack owned by Fred and Edith Blood, 12 students, teacher Ross Graham.

1960 Town Hall built

Town Hall built for community gatherings. Opened by Chairman NRB Mr Fred Porter.

1961 New school built

New school built in Hackney Street

1963 Post office

First Post Office opened in Browne’s Store, Kalbarri

1963 Red Bluff Caravan Park

Red Bluff Caravan Parked opened by Eric and Jessie Pederick.

1966 Kalbarri Hotel Motel opened

Owners Merv and Lorna Browne

1966 Big K Supermarket

Big Supermarket opens, originally owned and operated by Bob Lilly (now IGA).

1968 Kalbarri Travel Service

Kalbarri Travel Service opened by Mrs Joan Gliddon, also unofficial information service.

1968 Kalbarri National Park

Kalbarri National Park gazetted 385,000 acres.

1972 Archeopteryx

Prehistoric Archeopteryx tracks discovered at The Loop and Z-Bend.

1976 BP Service Station

BP Service Station opened in Clothworthy Street, by John Horton.

1976 Kalbarri Arts and Crafts

First activity at the home of Mrs Nancy Cockman. Copper Enamelling was the first craft undertaken.

1976 Fantasyland

World of Little People opened in Grey Street, by Cliff and Gwyn Ross. Later named Fantasyland, this site is now Pelican Cafe and sits opposite the site Cliff started feeding Pelicans daily in Kalbarri.

1976 Newsagency

Kalbarri Newsagency and Post Office opened by Ron and Anne Brister.

1977 Town Developments

New jetty, police station and improved air strip – all opened with great fanfare.

1982 Kalbarri Beach Resort

Resorts Development began what would become Kalbarri Beach Resort, on the site of Riverview Caravan Park.

1982 Bottle Shop

Drive-in Bottle Shop opens at Kalbarri Hotel

1982 Peet Park

Peet Park opened in Carlton Cres, thanks to local residents.

1982 ABC Transmitter