Shellhouse and Grandstand

15 min to 30 min
15 min to 45 min

620 m
return

↑ 22 m
↓ -22 m

Easy track
Starting from the car park at the end of Grandstand Road, Kalbarri National Park, this walk takes you past Shellhouse and Grandstand via the Bigurda Trail. Shellhouse and Grandstand are a couple of lookouts in Kalbarri that offer excellent views of the dramatic coastal cliffs and the features that have been sculptured in them by the wind and water over their lifetime. Most of the coastline is limestone, but here the limestone has weathered away, leaving the red iron-rich sandstone exposed. The banding of different layers of coloured sandstone is memorable. Ocean-torn cliffs glow in the late afternoon as the setting sun shines on the sandstone rock faces. Dolphins and whales frequent the coastal fringes between July and November. Wide flat paths provide quick and easy access to these theses awesome lookouts on the rugged coast. The car park is surrounded by a bitumen path, and there is level access between the bays and the footpath. The bitumen path extends for the first few metres towards the lookout, and then the surface becomes firmly compacted gravel. Stay on the track as much as possible and be extra careful of the cliff edges and overhangs. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-27.803292,114.1180498)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom North West Coastal Highway, 1
  • Turn on to Kalbarri Road then drive for 64.7 km
  • Turn left onto Grey Street and drive for another 12.2 km
  • Turn right onto National Park South Access Road and drive for another 1.5 km
  • Turn right and drive for another 610 m
  • Keep right and drive for another 80 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the car park at the end of Grandstand Road, Kalbarri National Park, head along the bitumen path for about 30 metres, then continue along the compacted gravel path. After another 30 metres, turn left and follow the path towards the Grandstand Lookout. After visiting the first lookout, turn around and follow the compacted gravel path ahead towards the Shellhouse Lookout.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the car park at the start.
After another 6 m turn left.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This tiny side trip takes you to the Grandstand Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 60 m turn right.
After another 45 m continue straight.
After another 195 m come to "Shellhouse Lookout".
Shellhouse Lookout
Shellhouse Lookout

Shellhouse is a beautiful terraced rock face near a gully joining the cliff to the coastline. Fishermen at sea thought they could see a shell-shaped house on the side of the cliff, hence the name. This feature cannot be seen from the top of the cliffs. The terraced rock face is best viewed at sunset with glowing light on the sandstone cliff.
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Shellhouse is a beautiful terraced rock face near a gully joining the cliff to the coastline. Fishermen at sea thought they could see a shell-shaped house on the side of the cliff, hence the name. This feature cannot be seen from the top of the cliffs. The terraced rock face is best viewed at sunset with glowing light on the sandstone cliff.

Turn around here and retrace the main route for 310 m to get back to the start.

This tiny side trip takes you to the Grandstand Lookout.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 35 m come to "Grandstand Lookout".
Grandstand Lookout
Grandstand Lookout

Grandstand is in close proximity to the car park and usually quite easy to see. A lookout has been constructed over the cliffs, providing a fantastic vantage point to view the stunning colours in the cliffs.
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Grandstand is in close proximity to the car park and usually quite easy to see. A lookout has been constructed over the cliffs, providing a fantastic vantage point to view the stunning colours in the cliffs.

A sign.
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 35 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Shellhouse and Grandstand


Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length 620 m
Time 15 min to 30 min
Quality of track Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
Gradient Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
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Articles
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