Fitzgerald Inlet

Fitzgerald Inlet is only accessible by foot and is one of several scenic inlets within Fitzgerald River National Park that form coastal estuaries with narrow connections to the sea. The mouth of the inlet is usually blocked by a sandbar that opens only occasionally after heavy and prolonged rain. Under normal conditions the rivers that drain into the inlet flow very little and so the estuary is shallow (usually less than one metre) and often dry.

When the Fitzgerald Inlet contains water, it is a haven for wildlife. Many hundreds of waterbirds, including Chestnut Teal, Grey Teal and Australian Shelduck may be seen out on the water or resting on the sand spits.

The inland that reaches the Fitzgerald Inlet is cut into spongolite rock and bordered by spectacular spongolite cliffs. This soft multi-coloured rock, made almost entirely from fossilized sponges forms a veneer over much of the park.

It was originally laid down as marine sediments in an ancient sea when the sea level rose and flooded the coast. Together with the park’s rugged peaks, dramatic sea cliffs and sweeping beaches, these colourful breakaways form one of the most distinctive landscapes in the region.

Please clean footwear and equipment at the start and finish of any walks you do in natural areas to prevent the spread of Phytopthora dieback.