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 is home to Rainbow Jungle, one of Australia’s largest parrot habitats and the country’s largest free flight aviary. The tropical gardens are home to hundreds of colourful birds from Australia and overseas.Get lost in Kalbarri's newest attraction - The Maze! Tickets can be purchase just to access the Maze, or coupled with entry into Rainbow Jungle's bird centre. Enjoy an evening under the stars at Cinema Parrotis, the outdoor cinema (seasonal) located in the parrot sanctuary – bring a picnic or buy a tasty wood oven pizza.
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.
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 Abrolhos Islands from the best possible vantage point - the air!
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 your own 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).
Meet Kalbarri’s resident pelicans each morning at 8:45am, 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. Fact: This tradition began with a local Kalbarri fisherman who cleaned his catch and threw the scraps to the pelicans.
From July until October, around 1000 species of wildflowers progressively burst into bloom around Kalbarri and within the 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. Contact the Kalbarri Visitor Centre for information on where to find seasonal wildflowers.
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.
The Kalbarri National Park is a short drive out of town offering superb walking trails and boasts over 800 species of wildflowers which create an awe-inspiring display from July to October each year. Best known for the iconic Nature's Window, there are 14 sites within the Park including easy trails Ross Graham Lookout and Hawk's Head Lookout as well as more adventurous hiking trails of The Loop and Z Bend. Follow one of the many walking trails, join a river cruise, or try abseiling and quad biking.
Kalbarri is approximately 6.5 hours to drive from Australia’s sunny capital of Perth.
