Kalbarri: the best things to do in and around town

Come June, native blooms start popping up all over the plains and dunes in and around Kalbarri town. It’s the start of the region’s famed wildflower season, which sees over 1,100 different species of flower carpeting the landscapes right through to early summer. 21 species are endemic to Kalbarri, including the yellow or red Kalbarri catspaw. It’s a small plant, usually seen between August and September, growing on the stark land that wildfires have recently swept through. The best place to go wildflower hunting is Kalbarri National Park. Here, you’ll find the likes of flannel brush, wattle, round leaf grevillea, and pink poker.

Explore the lesser-seen parts of the Kalbarri region aboard one of Kalbarri Wagoe Beach Quad Bike Tours’ bright red bikes. You’ll be in the driver’s seat as owners Ashley and Lisa guide you along the coastline and through the dunes near their Wagoe Beach Farm, some 20km south of Kalbarri. The beach is a well-known reef fishing spot, but the dunes are far less explored, many untouched save for the gentle ripples the sea breeze leaves as it blows through.

If you’d prefer to leave the driving up to someone else, jump on a quad bike as a passenger or book a seat on the beach buggy tour instead.

Much of the rugged land around Kalbarri is inaccessible by road, so boarding Kalbarri Scenic Flights’ Cessna 207 is your best shot at seeing it. Soar over the red coastal cliffs and Murchison River Gorges, or get pilot Nathan to take you due south to see the patchwork of pinks at Hutt Lagoon from the air. A slightly longer day trip will get you to East Wallabi Island on the Abrolhos Archipelago, where you can snorkel, lizard spot, and bask in the sunshine. If you can’t decide on where to go, see it all on a ‘grand tour’.

Causing the water to appear different shades of blue from the shore, the partially submerged limestone reef just south of Kalbarri town gives Blue Holes Beach its name. Beneath the surface is a natural aquarium teeming with more than 70 species of finfish and 11 species of coral. Bring a snorkel and float gently through the rockpools, keeping an eye out for moon wrasse and humbugs, or find a patch of sand to read a book with a view. Being so protected, it’s a great spot to bring the little on

Gently putt your way upstream aboard the Murchison River Princess as skipper, Grant Ward, provides entertaining and informative commentary on the local flora and fauna. He’ll be pointing out the Ospreys and local White Breasted Sea Eagles along the way and any emus he sees, too. Sit back, relax (beverage from the onboard bar optional), and enjoy the unique Kalbarri scenery. Kalbarri Wilderness Cruises is the only tour company to operate on the river, running twice-daily daylight cruises and a special 5.00pm sunset cruise.