Kalbarri is Western Australia's outdoor holiday playground and home to the spectacular Kalbarri National Park.
The town is encircled by two distinctly different landscapes, to the east of the town the 400 million year old gorges of the Kalbarri National Park and to the west the towering Coastal Cliffs which plummet into the ocean below. Kalbarri offers a wealth of activities and attractions from swimming, surfing, hiking, fishing and whale watching.
Blue Holes Beach is renowned for its exceptional snorkelling and thriving marine life. The area is a protected fish habitat, featuring sections of reef that are permanently submerged by the ocean (sub-tidal) as well as areas that are exposed at low tide (intertidal). In order to preserve the unique environment at Blue Holes, fishing is totally banned.
Kalbarri National Park is a short drive out of town offering superb walking trails and boasts awe-inspiring displays of wildflowers from July to October each year. Best known for the iconic Nature's Window and new Skywalk, there are 14 sites within the Park including easy trails like Ross Graham Lookout and Hawk's Head Lookout, and the more adventurous hiking trails of The Loop and Z Bend. There are a range of land and water tours to help you enjoy the Park.
A scenic flight over Kalbarri’s Coastal Cliffs offers a dramatic perspective and a true impression of the area’s immense scope and scale. Witness the wonders of the Kalbarri National Park, nearby Pink Lake and the Houtman Abrolhos Islands from the best possible vantage point - the air!
From July until October, around 1000 species of wildflowers progressively burst into bloom around Kalbarri and within Kalbarri National Park, particularly along the tops of coastal cliffs and gorges. Many species are endemic to the region including the Kalbarri spider orchid, cats paw and Murchison rose. You can find out what's blooming here, and contact the Kalbarri Visitor Centre for more detailed information on where to find seasonal wildflowers.
Jacques Point, (locally known as “Jakes”) is renowned for its superb left-hand reef break along the point and is a favourite among experienced surfers. Spectators can join in on the action by watching from the beach, and less experienced surfers can opt to surf in Jakes Bay.
For a different way to explore the coastline, ride a quad bike or buggy along Wagoe beach on a guided tour. Enjoy the wind in your hair whilst taking in breathtaking views and spotting Humpback whales (in season).
Make the most of the clear, tranquil waters of Chinaman’s Beach on the Murchison River. This swimming spot in the heart of Kalbarri is popular among families due to its safe swimming conditions.
Fishing in Kalbarri boasts some of WA’s best shore and boat angling. Try estuary fishing for whiting and black bream or drop a net to yield blue swimmer and mud crabs. Fishing charters are popular, satisfying both the serious angler and the novice. They regularly return with a bounty of fish including mackerel, tuna, snapper, dhufish, coral trout and bald chin groper. Note: There is an annual West Coast Demersal fishing ban from Cervantes to Kalbarri from 15 October to 15 December inclusive. Visit fish.wa.gov.au for further information.
Meet Kalbarri’s resident pelicans each morning at 08:45am, as they make their way to the grassed area on the foreshore near the intersections of Grey and Wood Streets. Here, local volunteers feed the pelicans whilst spectators watch on. Fun fact: This tradition began with a local Kalbarri fisherman who cleaned his catch and threw the scraps to the pelicans.
If you are looking for fresh, local seafood and a locally brewed bevy, then head to Finlay's Kalbarri. Enjoy the rustic dining experience along with locally brewed beer from the on-site microbrewery. With large eucalyptus trees providing shade from the warm summer sun, authentic dirt floors and eclectic furniture, Finlay’s provides the perfect outdoor setting for a uniquely Australian dining experience. The newly developed Nature Playground on the Kalbarri Foreshore is an ideal activity for families. The playground features an impressive flying fox and wooden lookout tower, with shady trees protecting the children from the sun. Parents can relax at picnic tables, with cafés and restaurants nearby.
Whilst you're here, learn more about Kalbarri's attractions...
The best experiences are on tour
Inland Gorge Sites
Over the past 400 million years, the flow of the Murchison River has created magnificent deep red and white banded gorges through the landscape of Kalbarri National Park, which stretch 80km towards the ocean. Explore the depths and heights of the river gorges and admire the floral beauty of the vast, rolling sandplains.
Located just 500m from The Loop carpark is arguably one of Western Australia's most iconic natural attractions - Nature's Window. Walk down a picturesque trail to view the rock formation that perfectly frames the rugged upstream view of the Murchison River. Nature's Window marks the beginning and end of The Loop Walk, an 8km walking trail (Class 4 hike).
Note: temperatures in the river gorges can reach 50'C (122F) in summer. For this reason, The Loop Walk is closed after 7am from November to March (inclusive). Do not walk the trail in hot weather, and ensure that each person carries and drinks 3-4 litres of water each, per day, when hiking in the National Park.
Located across the gorge from Nature's Window is an innovative tourism precinct and the National Park's newest attraction, the Kalbarri Skywalk. The universally accessible precinct features twin skywalks which project 25m and 17m beyond the gorge rim and sit more than 100m above the Murchison River. The skywalk platforms are located 100m apart from each other, and other precinct facilities include a kiosk, walk trails, interpretive signage which share the stories and history of the local Nanda people, shade shelters and toilets.
Further south in Kalbarri National Park is the Z-Bend Lookout and walk trails. The Lookout is 600m walk from the carpark and boasts one of the most breathtaking views of the park. Below the Lookout, the Murchison River plunges 150m down to where red river gums create a striking contrast against the earthy hues of the Tumblagooda sandstone. The Z Bend River Trail features deep descents and ladder climbs down into the gorge, and hikers will enjoy the 6km Four Ways Trail (Idinggada Yina) which continues on and presents a more challenging option.
The Ross Graham Lookout is the easiest place in Kalbarri National Park to access the Murchison River's edge, and is a short walk from the Ross Graham Road carpark. It is an ideal location to enjoy a walk or picnic along its banks. Nearby, enjoy views from the Hawk's Head picnic area or wander down the path to the wheelchair accessible lookout. Keep your eyes peeled for rare black flanked rock wallabies among the rocks.
At 207m above sea level and only 5km from Kalbarri town, Meanarra Hill is the perfect vantage point for 360' views of Kalbarri and the Murchison River flowing into the Indian Ocean. It's an ideal spot for photos, especially at sunset!
Look out for wildlife around the inland gorges. Some of the most common animals you'll encounter are kangaroos, emus, echidnas, thorny devils and an abundant bird population including birds of prey like wedge-tailed eagles.
Coastal Cliff Sites
Kalbarri's Coastal Cliffs feature magnificent, towering cliffs which plummet down to the ocean waves 100 metres below. Starting at Red Bluff, just south of Kalbarri town, the dramatic coastal cliffs extend 13km to the National Park's southern boundary. These National Park sites are free to visit. Numerous sign-posted pathways and lookouts provide safe exploration of the ruggedly beautiful coastline. Migrating whales can often be seen from the Coastal Cliffs between June and November.
At the southern end of the coastal cliffs, visitors can enjoy the Natural Bridge and Island Rock. With stunning coastal views a short walk from their respective carparks, visitors can look out over the Natural Bridge in search of marine life, including whales and dolphins. The resilient Island Rock was once part of the shoreline and now stands as a solitary 'sea stack' against the forces of the ocean. Island Rock is reminiscent of the Twelve Apostles.
Take in views from the Eagle Gorge lookout, named after the wedge-tailed eagles that nest in the gorge. These magnificent birds can often be seen soaring through the sky in search of prey. For anyone seeking a little extra adventure, follow the stepped rocky path to discover a secluded beach.
The Birgurda Trail (the Indigenous name for a small kangaroo, which can sometimes be sighted along the trail) in an 8km (one-way) trail connecting the Natural Bridge with Eagle Gorge. It provides stunning coastal views with great photo opportunities. Halfway along the trail, make sure to stop at the Grandstand to peer into Kalbarri's deep cavernous cliffs from the walkway above. This unique walk showcases a vast array of wildflower species from July to November, with pods of dolphins and migrating humpback whales also a common sight.
Pot Alley was named by local cray fishermen after losing many craypots to this hazardous cove. Enjoy the spectacular ocean scenery amidst the expansive rugged gorges, or walk the short track to the remote beach below. Slightly north of Pot Alley, informative signage takes you back 400 million years as you wander along the marked circuit that connects Rainbow Valley and Mushroom Rock. Allow between one and two hours for the walk, where you can marvel at the varied geological formations and see kangaroos feeding (best seen at dawn and dusk) amongst the coastal heath.
Red Bluff beach is a popular location for fishing and swimming. Featuring a picturesque white sandy beach, contrasted against striking rust red rocks, Red Bluff is particularly spectacular at sunset or for whale watching from the Red Bluff Lookout. Hike down from the Lookout to Red Bluff beach along the beach trail, also known as Gaba Gaba Yina, to see amazing views across the Indian Ocean and impressive rock formations, and reward yourself with a swim at the bottom. Please note: this track is steep with loose surfaces.
