Kalbarri's Top Twenty Activities to See and Do

Published
28 Jan 2025
Image credit
Tourism Western Australia

 

Kalbarri has consistently grown in popularity as an unmissable WA tourist destination—and for good reason! Six hours north of Perth, this Coral Coast treasure is packed with beautiful beaches, rugged inland gorges, dramatic cliffs, delightful wildflowers, and charming wildlife. Read on for our suggestions about what to see and do during your visit—then book your Kalbarri getaway on the G’day Parks app or online.

1. Kalbarri National Park

Image Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Kalbarri National Park boasts amazing walks, like the 9km Loop Walk which leads into the Murchison River Gorge, passing all the natural features that make Kalbarri special. You can admire the gorge from an accessible vantage point on the Kalbarri Skywalk, while the Z Bend and Nature’s Window trails are popular, shorter tracks.

2. Wildflower Spotting

Image Credit: Greg Snell, Tourism Australia

From July to October, Kalbarri blooms with more than 1100 kinds of wildflowers. There are 21 species which are endemic to Kalbarri, including Caladenia wanosa (Kalbarri spider orchid), Murchison Rose, and Kalbarri catspaw. You can take a guided tour, or simply find flowers from all colours of the rainbow as you walk the national park trails. 

3. Whale Watching

 

From June to November, Kalbarri is a wonderful place to spot humpback whales as they migrate. Join a tour to get up close with them in their element. 

4. Red Bluff

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If you’d prefer to try your luck spotting whales from the shore, head up to the Red Bluff Lookout, which overlooks red rock cliffs to Red Bluff Beach, Jake’s Point, and the Murchison River mouth. The beach is perfect for snorkelling, fishing, and swimming.

5. Quad Biking

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Go wild on Wagoe Beach behind the wheels of a quad bike or beach buggy with Kalbarri Wagoe Beach Quad Bike Tours. It costs $130 per driver and $60 per passenger for a two-hour-long experience. The quad bikes are two-seater vehicles, while you can choose between a two-, three-, or four-seater buggy.

6. Hutt Lagoon

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Though technically not in Kalbarri, this bubblegum-coloured spectacle is worth the short drive to Port Gregory. Thanks to a natural phenomenon, Hutt Lagoon looks great in photographs, but nothing compares to seeing its vivid shade in person. For added fun, take an hour-long buggy tour!

7. Seafood Dinner at Finlay’s Kalbarri

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Try calamari in Kalbarri! It’s a fishing town, which means the seafood is fresh and tasty. Get your fish and chips fix at a local eatery—the most famous is Finlay’s Kalbarri, with a menu of seafood specialties and filling dinners.

8. Chinaman’s Beach

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Chinaman’s Beach is a dedicated swimming beach located at the mouth of the Murchison River. With its calm, turquoise water and picturesque white sand, you’ll find yourself drawn back day after day.

9. Pot Alley

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If you’re excited to admire the rough and tumble scenery of the cliffside beaches, visit Pot Alley Beach. It’s not safe for swimming, but you can capture an incredible sunset safely from the shoreline.

10. Blue Holes

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Blue Holes is a sheltered swimming beach that doubles as a Fish Habitat Protection Area. As soon as you dive underwater with your snorkel, you’ll marvel at the limestone reef system, which is home to spectacular fish, coral, crustaceans, and lobsters.

11. Fishing

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The Murchison River is a top spot to fish, home to Black Bream, Mulloway, Whiting, Mangrove Jack, Giant Herring, and Trevally. You can also enjoy beach fishing at Red Bluff Beach, Wagoe Beach, Wittecarra Creek, and Pot Alley Beach.

12. Cruise the Murchison River

Image Credit: Tourism Western Australia

See Kalbarri from the river’s perspective on a cruise. Midway through the two-and-a-half-hour journey, you’ll have the chance to stroll along the riverbank. You’re likely to see the best of Kalbarri’s birdlife, including Ospreys, Kites, Egrets, Black Swans, and White Breasted Sea Eagles. Depending on the season, book a morning or sunset journey. 

13. Canoe the Kalbarri Gorges

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If you’d prefer to paddle than cruise, Kalbarri Adventure Tours runs a half-day canoeing and hiking tour through the gorges of Kalbarri National Park. Along the way, swim in secluded waterholes and see gorge-ous scenery. 

14. Abseiling

Image Credit: Tourism Australia - Australia's Coral Coast

Kalbarri Abseil run tours in the Z Bend Gorge. You’ll hike to reach the abseiling walls, learn the ropes (pun intended) on a four-metre-high wall, before really feeling the thrill on 25m and 35m walls. The tour ends with a riverside lunch.

15. Scenic Flight

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Take to the sky and see the region from up high. A two-hour Kalbarri Scenic Flight Grand Tour takes you over the Murchison River Gorges, Kalbarri National Park, Hutt Lagoon, and the Abrolhos Islands. Alternately, enjoy shorter flights to the Pink Lake or Kalbarri River Gorges and Coastal Cliffs.

16. Jake’s Point

Image Credit: Tourism Australia - Australia's Coral Coast

Kalbarri’s top surfing beach is officially called Jacques Point, but the locals have christened it as ‘Jake’s Point’. If you’re an experienced surfer, pack or hire a board to ride the strong swells. It’s just as enjoyable to watch from the shore, as surfers combat the waves and bottlenose dolphins pop up from time to time.

17. Pelican Feeding

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What began as a volunteer feeding has grown into a daily treat for visitors to watch. At 8.45am, make sure you’re at the Pelican Feeding Point on the foreshore (near the Grey and Wood Street Intersection)—some lucky children may get picked to help!

18. Stargazing Tour

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Low light pollution means you can step outside your cabin to admire the stars every night in Kalbarri. If you’d like to learn more about the constellations, book a Stargazing Tour, where you can peer through your telescope as a guide talks you through the night sky above.

19. Island Rock and Natural Bridge

Image Credit: Greg Snell, Tourism Western Australia

Perched on the coastal cliffs, these two natural formations will take your breath away. The limestone rock of Natural Bridge is still attached to the coastline, while sea stack Island Rock now stands alone. It’s also a starting point to the Bigurda Trail.

20. Mushroom Rock Natural Trail

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This 3.3km loop hike leading from Mushroom Rock to Rainbow Valley is great for families, winding past coastal health, rocky outcrops, and rock formations, all with spectacular ocean views.

 

Inspired? Book your trip to Kalbarri today!

Where to stay?

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You can’t go wrong when there are three great G’day Parks in Kalbarri to choose from.

Tasman Holiday Parks - Kalbarri

 

In prime position near Chinaman’s Beach, Tasman Holiday Parks – Kalbarri offers easy access to Kalbarri’s central attractions. Kids will love clambering over the playground, while other facilities include a cabana-style BBQ area, camp kitchen, and laundry. A Deluxe Cabin has two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious lounge, private bathroom, air conditioning, and – best of all – a large veranda with an outdoor setting to soak up the divine weather.

Kalbarri Tudor Holiday Park

 

Spend blue sky days in the pool or relaxing on a sun lounger at Kalbarri Tudor Holiday Park. The park has a playground and jumping pillow, or kids can ride around the in-park avenues and neighbouring skate park. There’s a BBQ shelter, camp kitchen, picnic spots, free Wi-Fi, and a TV room, too. Playground Cabins sleep up to five people with your own kitchen and bathroom, open-plan lounge and dining, air conditioning, and deck.

Kalbarri Red Bluff Tourist Park

 

On the fringe of town, delight in beachside surrounds at Kalbarri Red Bluff Tourist Park. Facilities include a BBQ and camp kitchen area, free Wi-Fi, a tour desk, and laundry. Survey the beautiful Red Bluff Beach from the deck of your Premium Ocean View Holiday Unit; there are two bedrooms providing room for up to five guests, plus a private bathroom, air conditioning, and a full kitchen.