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Kalbarri is a small coastal town just north of Perth known for its rugged and wild beauty, estuary beaches, and being the gateway to the famed Kalbarri National Park.
This area on the Coral Coast is spectacular. It also offers a quiet, restful vacation and has a laid-back, rural charm.
Although most people stop here for one night, we urge you to spend more than one night, as there are so many things to do in Kalbarri that could fill your time up for a few days.
From hiking to sunbathing on the beach, to sipping delicious coffee in quaint coffee shops, to exploring craggy gorges in Kalbarri National Park, here are all the best attractions in Kalbarri to visit.
1. Visit Inner Gorge Kalbarri National Park, WA (Nature’s Window)
When we visited Kalbarri National Park, the heat was unbearable and the flies relentless, so our visit consisted of driving to a few other lookout points that were close to the car park, keeping the kids in the car and tag-teaming our visits, taking it in turns to each run the short 400m track to the lookout to beat the flies, take a quick look at the view, and a sprint back to the car.
Until the last one. It was Nature’s Window, the most famous and photographed spot in Kalbarri National Park.
Nature’s Window is one of Western Australia’s most iconic natural attractions. You can walk here from the Loop car park (500 metres), or you can take in the surrounding beauty on the 8km loop trail (recommended in winter months).
The trail was paved path, so we popped the girls on their scooters and sent them on their way.
This unique rock formation has been naturally formed in a window shape overlooking the valley of the national park. It’s one of the most popular formations in the park to visit, so I recommend you get there early.
Now that the kids are older, and can hike 15 miles no problem, we would love to return and do this hike WITH fly nets! OR in the cooler winter months.
2. Check Out Z Bend River Trail
The Z Bend River Trail is a 2.4 km return hike that descends steeply down into the gorge, which is noted for its striking orange rock colours and jagged layers.
There is a lookout of Z Bend, which overhangs above a sharp bend in the Murchison River. If you don’t want to hike into the gorge, you can view the Z Bend from this viewing spot, which is only a 600-metre walk from the parking area.
If you do want to hike into the gorge, come prepared with sturdy boots and a can-do attitude! It’s a reasonably challenging trail with a few ladder climbs and rock scrambling. There’s not much elevation gain, but a few obstacles to tackle.
3. Head to Ross Graham Lookout and Hawk’s Head
The Ross Graham Lookout and Hawk’s Head are two unmissable overlooks where you’ll find expansive views over the Murchison River Gorges.
The Ross Graham Lookout has a picnic shelter and toilet facilities, and you can walk from the car park down to the river’s edge for a swim and a cool down. It’s a great place to take the children if you have kids with you.
Late July is when you’ll see spectacular wildflowers in bloom.
4. Walk the Kalbarri Skywalk
In 2020, the Kalbarri Skywalk opened and quickly became one of the top attractions in Kalbarri National Park.
Two cantilevered viewing platforms hang in mid-air 100 metres above the gorge, giving you a thrilling floating experience above the Murchison River gorge.
Inspired by the region’s Aboriginal heritage and beauty, several local indigenous artists have created interpretive artwork as an important part of the Skywalk experience.
5. Hike Along the Kalbarri National Park Coastal Cliffs
I love national parks that have diversity. Kalbarri National Park offers the inner gorges, but also has a coastal section.
It wasn’t as hot being on the coast, and having that cool breeze meant the flies weren’t as bad. They were still gross, but the wind kept them away.
The coastline was stunning.
Kalbarri’s Coastal Cliffs extend 13km South into the boundaries of the national park. Here, you’ll find sheer coastal cliffs 100 metres above the roaring ocean waves.
Keep a lookout for migrating humpback whales between the months of June and November.
We experienced most of the 8km coastal walk in sections, driving from point to point, and then walking to the various lookout points along the way.
6. Check out Natural Bridge and Island Rock, Kalbarri
Island Rock broke off from the shoreline some time ago and is now only a lone sea stack.
Many say it reminds them of the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, but I personally think nothing can compare to the Twelve Apostles.
Still, it’s quite a magnificent feat of nature.
Natural Bridge offers stunning views and is a good vantage point to spot whales on their annual whale migration, as well as dolphins and other wildlife.
There is a 1.2km section of boardwalk on the Bigurda Trail that connects Natural Bridge and Island Rock.
7. Visit Eagle Gorge Lookout
Eagle Gorge lookout is another place for incredible coastal views and can be accessed by the Bigurda Trail. It’s a great place to see some of the wedge-tailed eagles that nest in the gorge.
There is a steep rocky path down to a secluded beach.
Pot Alley also has a short track down to a beach and views of the expansive, rugged gorges.
8. Walk the Mushroom Rock Nature Trail
The 2.1 km loop Mushroom Rock Nature Trail takes you back 400 million years to Gondwanaland through coastal health, rocky outcrops with ocean views, and past strange rock formations.
It connects Rainbow Valley and Mushroom Rock, and apart from the gorgeous scenery, you may see kangaroos bouncing around.
Red Bluff Beach is popular for swimming and fishing, and spectacular sunsets. Another hiking track you may want to take is from Pederick Lookout to Red Bluff Beach.
9. Visit the Principality of Hutt River
Not far from Kalbarri is the Hutt River Principality, which has a unique and interesting story.
The town was established by Leonard Casley, a farmer who, when the government tried to take some of his wheat farming land from him, found some loopholes in the law and discovered that Western Australia had not been formed properly as part of Australia.
Therefore, his land was not actually Australian land, but part of Britain. It’s still a little confusing for me, but he managed to stake the land as his own country – the Hutt River Principality.
He became a pain in the government’s backside, and they tried all they could to shut him down, but he was victorious. He passed away in February 2019, and since then, his descendants sold his farm to pay his massive tax bill, and the principality has somewhat dissolved.
Although you can no longer visit the Hutt River Principality, you can drive past where it used to be and see the giant statue of Prince Leonard’s head.
We were lucky to visit when he was still alive and meet Prince Leonard.
10. Wander around Kalbarri Town
Kalbarri town is definitely worth a visit. The town itself is quiet, with only a few streets, but it’s beautiful.
It sits on the edge of the snaking Murchison River, being a backdrop to the mountains behind.
It’s the first part of green you see after coming out of the Top End, so your eyes will feast on the prettiness.
11. Visit Gorges Cafe
There’s not many places to eat in Kalbarri, but that’s ok, because The Gorges cafe is good enough!
It had the best coffee we’d had since Broome, and it’s the best cafe in Kalbarri, hands down!
You don’t get good coffee in Karijini, so a trip to Gorges was well worth it. It helped us make the day more relaxing.
12. Go abseiling with Kalbarri Abseil
If you’re looking for more adventurous things to do in Kalbarri, then consider abseiling!
Kalbarri Abseil are an abseil company who have been running abseiling trips in Kalbarri and cater to beginner to intermediate abseilers.
The abseiling takes place in the Z Bend Gorge in Kalbarri National Park, where you will begin by hiking to the site and then receive training and instructions from the knowledgeable guides.
The walls range from 4 meters to 35 meters, so if you’re new to the sport don’t worry as you can practice on the lower walls first.
13. Go surfing at Jakes Point
If you’re a surfer, you’ll love Jake’s Point (Jacques Point), a famous surf break.
The beach has been recognised as a National Surfing Reserve and is where some of the best surfers tackle the waves.
It’s not a beach for beginners, though, as waves can range from two feet above.
Even if you don’t surf, it’s a great place to watch the pros at work from the sand dunes.
Another great beach to visit is Chinaman’s Beach, the sunsets are magical.
14. Feed the pelicans
One of the best free things you can do in Kalbarri is to take part in the pelican feeding at the Kalbarri Foreshore (opposite Murchison Caravan Park) every morning from 8.45am.
It’s free to do, but they do ask for a gold coin donation to help cover the cost of the fish.
You can learn about the pelicans from knowledgeable and passionate volunteers.
15. Take a sunset cruise
For a different perspective of the Kalbarri Coast, consider taking a sunset tour.
The cruise leaves from the Kalbarri Marine Facility and takes you along the bay to look up at the Kalbarri National Park Coastal Cliffs, Red Bluff, the Mushroom Rock Walk Trail, Pot Alley Beach, Jakes Point, and Eagle Gorge.
You may even spot a bottlenose dolphin or two swimming along beside you.
Bring your camera, as the views from the boat are unbelievable, especially at sunset.
16. Take a Quad-Biking Tour
Adventure lovers will love to take a Quad Bike Safari through the national park and along Wagoe Beach.
The quad biking tours allow you to see the scenery up close without the need for hiking, drive off-road, and explore the Australian bush.
17. Visit the Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon)
Although you can’t swim in the lake, Pink Lake is a natural wonder to behold.
Located near to Port Gregory (about 30 minutes from Kalbarri) this natural wonder is a vast scene of pink sea, which is caused by a natural algae that changes the pigment to a red color, making the lake a pinkish purple color.
The shade of the lake differs depending on the time of year you visit it, and during the summer the lake can pretty much dry up and look more like a salt flat, so it’s best to manage your expectations before visiting.
The best chance to see the pink hues is in the winter in early morning when the water is at its fullest and the sunlight is soft.
18. Snorkel in the Blue Holes
Just a short distance from the town of Kalbarri are a series of rock pools, known locally as blue holes.
These blue holes are perfect spots for snorkelling as they provide a home for coral to thrive, which attracts hundreds of tiny fish and marine life.
I recommend you visit in the morning as the swells can be choppy from midday.
Map of Attractions in Kalbarri
To help you navigate your way around these attractions, here is a map of each spot so you can map out your itinerary.
Click here for car rental prices and availability if you need it.
Where to stay in Kalbarri, WA
Kalbarri is a small town and doesn’t have a huge amount of resorts, but it does have a few good ones.
Here are some recommendations for accommodation options…
Kalbarri Edge Resort
a solar-heated pool and barbecue facilities set in tropical gardens, Kalbarri Edge Resort is just a 5-minute walk from the Murchison River. Previous guests love it for its awesome pool facilities, large suites, and location.
Kalbarri Palm Resort
Kalbarri Palm Resort features 2 pools, a hot tub, and a tennis court, all set on extensive gardens and located at the point where the Murchison River meets the Indian Ocean.
It’s a 10-minute walk to the beach, and the rooms have kitchenettes. Previous guests loved the friendly staff, spacious suites, and location. It’s excellent value for money.
Riverview Holliday Villas
Offering self-contained apartments with a kitchen and a balcony, Riverview Holliday villas are just 650 feet from the Murchison River.
It has an outdoor pool area and 3 hot tubs. Previous guests love the clean, modern rooms, swimming pools, and location.
Is Kalbarri worth visiting?
The main reason to visit Kalbarri is for the spectacular landscapes of Kalbarri National Park.
The park is located on the lower reaches of the Murchison River Gorge, where over 400 million years of water flow from the Murchison River has carved gorgeous deep red and white striped gorges that stretch 80km towards the Indian Ocean.
It’s a landscape you won’t find anywhere else on the Coral Coast, and so it’s absolutely worth visiting.
When is the best time to visit Kabarri?
The best time to visit Kalbarri is in the shoulder months of April and May, and September and October, or the winter months (June to August). This is just before and after the winter season, and is when the weather is at its most moderate and comfortable for hiking.
We highly recommend avoiding the summer months. We visited this time of year in late October, and the heat and the flies were relentless. It put a huge damper on our trip.
The temperatures in Kalbarri National Park are no joke. It’s best not to do any strenuous hiking during the summer months when temperatures in the gorge can soar to 50 degrees Celsius.
We visited it was already stinking hot!
I wish I were able to fully appreciate Kalbarri when we visited, but after nearly 15 years of experience of traveling with children, I can tell you the thing that will cause the biggest meltdowns is heat – and it just wasn’t on our side.
We have a post with tips on traveling in the heat with kids to help you.
We highly recommend you take fly nets into Kalbarri National Park and pack plenty of sunscreen and drinking water. We discovered a few months later, when we experienced even worse flies at Uluru, that they make all the difference.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide helped you map out some things to do in Kalbarri to add to your itinerary.
Admittedly, when we visited, it was at a time when I was tired and jaded. We’d not long explored the magnificent Karijini National Park and it’s hard to experience wows that can compare to such pristine beauty.
There was also the problem of tired and wingey children, really hot weather, crazy wind, and insane flies, and I had no coping mechanisms left.
But Kalbarri still left a mark, and I can look back and reflect on how scenic and beautiful it is.
Hopefully, when you visit, you don’t feel the same level of stress that I did. Be sure to visit the Pinnacles while in the Coral Coast, especially if your plan is to drive up to Coral Bay and Exmouth too.
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Have you visited Kalbarri in Western Australia? Can you share any tips? Let us know in the comments.
