Kalbarri Travel Guide & Itinerary
- Dana Cully
- 1 day ago
- 10 min read
Kalbarri, Western Australia, is a small town situated about 7 hours North of Perth. It sits along the Murchison River and is surrounded by the breathtaking Kalbarri National Park. This is the perfect destination for surfers, hikers, seafood lovers, or those wanting a break from the city hustle and bustle!
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Things to do in Kalbarri
Kalbarri Skywalk & Nature's Window
Two of Kalbarri's most famous and scenic destinations are the Kalbarri Skywalk and Nature's
Window. Both are located about a 5-minute drive from each other, and a 40-minute drive from Kalbarri township. Both offer beautiful views of the valley and landscapes! Both attractions are free; however, a $17 AUD fee applies per vehicle to enter the national park. Go at your own pace, or check out the range of tours available here.
Z-Bend Lookout & Trail
Also in Kalbarri National Park, the Z-Bend Lookout and Z-Bend/River Gorges Trail are another must-see. The lookout offers more views of the canyons and valleys, while the short trail takes you inside the canyon itself. It is a short, 30-minute walk, but it does involve a fair amount of fitness and climbing.
Hiking in Kalbarri National Park
As mentioned above, the Skywalk, Nature's Window, and Z-Bend Trail & Lookout are amazing activities to do in Kalbarri National Park. But there are several other must-do hikes. The Loop Trail and the Four Ways Trail are two of the most difficult but most rewarding trails. These two are usually closed in summer and are only for experienced hikers. More info can be found here. Hawks head lookout and trail is a short, 200-meter walk. The Ross Graham River Trail & Lookout is also 200 meters away, but it is located about 30 minutes away from the locations in Kalbarri National Park. This is also not good to do in summer, as there is very little water in the river. Lastly, the Meanarra Hill Lookout is the perfect stop on the way there or back to marvel at the stunning views of the Murchison River and the Kalbarri Foreshore.
Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs
The Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs are another part of the Kalbarri National Park. The stunning orange cliffs create a beautiful contrast with the bright blue water. For hikers, the best way to see these cliffs is by doing the Bigurda Trail, which will take you about 5 hours. Otherwise, you can have a little road trip to Pink Lake and stop at all the Coastal locations on your way. The must-see stops along the way are: Red Bluff Lookout, Pot Alley, Island Rock & Natural Bridge (you can either walk or drive between the two), Mushroom Rock, Rainbow, Eagle Gorge, and the Shellhouse Grandstand. Get Your Guide offers a great tour that takes you to Pink lake and stops at all the best Kalbarri Coastal Cliff locations along the way.
Pelican Feeding
Every day at the Kalbarri Foreshore, gather for a chance to feed some Pelicans! The feeding starts at 8:45, but I recommend arriving earlier to ensure getting a seat. This activity is run by volunteer locals, so it is free, but donations are appreciated. You will learn some basic info about the Pelicans and their history in Kalbarri, and then have the chance to feed them.
Kalbarri Foreshore
The Kalbarri Foreshore is a beautiful place to relax and soak up the sun or shade. There are picnic tables under shade dotted along the foreshore, and plenty of white sand beach space to relax on. The water is shallow, making it a great place for families, and the water is relatively warm. It's generally peaceful and quiet. You can also hire boats, paddle boards, and canoes!
Pink Lake/Hutt Lagoon
Another one of Kalbarris' most famous locations is Pink Lake, otherwise known as Hutt Lagoon. It is about a 40-minute drive South of Kalbarri, along the coast. The lake is 100% free to visit, and yes, it is pink in real life, it's not just photoshop! Depending on the water levels during your visit, you may also be able to walk on the salt flat! As previously mentioned, Get Your Guide offers a great tour of Pink Lake and Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs which is the perfect option if you don't have a car!
Stargazing
For those who don't know, Kalbarri is one of the best places to see stars in the Milky Way. Embark on one of the best journeys to Kalbarri National Park, watch the sunset at the Skywalk with a picnic dinner, and then turn your eyes to the sky after dark. You will learn lots about astromonoy and astromonical techniques! This tour is the most boasted about in Kalbarri! Find more info here.
Murchison River
The beauty of the Murchison River can be explored by boat. You can either hire a boat, book a tour, or explore it with your boat. It is a great place to enjoy nature and birdlife, fish, and appreciate some peace.
Explore the ocean
The shores of Kalbarri are home to some of the most beautiful wildlife, which you can both enjoy observing or enjoy tasting! Blue Holes are the perfect place for snorkeling, whilst the other beaches and the ocean are great for fishing and crayfish hunting. If you've never done it before, don't worry, you can book a tour which will take you and show you how to catch crayfish! Kalbarri is also a great place to see some whales!
Beaches & Surfing
Other than the National Park, Kalbarri is also popular for its beaches and surf spots. There are several beautiful beaches you must see, such as Blue Hole (great for snorkeling), Jakes Point, Red Bluff Beach, Black Beach, Pot Alley, and Chinaman's Beach. Red Bluff and Jake's Point are the most popular for surfing, whilst the other are great for swimming. Do be aware of strong currents, though, and if you are not a strong swimmer, I recommend sticking to the foreshore, or Blue Holes.
How Long Should you spend in Kalbarri?
This completely depends on what type of trip you are after! Realistically, you only need 2 full days in Kalbarri, and you will see everything there is to see. You can visit the SkyWalk and Z-bend lookouts, and do a hike on your first day. For your second day, venture to Pink Lake/Hut Lagoon, stop at the Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs along the way, and finish the day with a Murchison River boat tour.
Although 2 days is the minimum time you need in Kalbarri, I would recommend spending around 4-5 days there. There are plenty of beautiful beaches to relax on. It may be nice to spend a few days hiking and exploring, and spend a couple of relaxing days, especially with the heat, as it can make you tired easily!
If you surf, fish, or dive, you could easily spend a month there and simply enjoy a laid-back lifestyle for a while. If you don't do any of these activities, I wouldn't recommend spending longer than 2 weeks there, as there's not much else to do other than surf and fish, once you've visited the National Park.
Places to Eat in Kalbarri
Upstairs Restaurant
Upstairs Restaurant is the place to go for a nice dinner with beautiful views of the foreshore and sunset. They have some great seafood, and a seafood platter to die for! I recommend booking in advance. They are not open for lunch.
Kalbarri Fish & Chips
Have some classic fish and chips, Aussie style. Grab some fish, a burger or two, and some fish, and enjoy it sitting on the foreshore while watching the sunset. Whilst it may be priced slightly higher than your average fish & chips shop, the quality is amazing!
Finlays Kalbarri
Finlay's Kalbarri is the local brewery. They have a great outdoor and indoor flowed seating area, and often have live music. It is a popular destination for families and beer enthusiasts!
The Pelican Cafe Kalbarri
The Pelican Cafe is the classic small-town cafe. They serve great coffee, which you can enjoy with views of the ocean and foreshore. They are only open during the day.
Kalbarri Motel Hotel Pub
Become a real local at the Kalbarri Motel Hotel Pub. There are loads of outdoor and indoor seating here, pool tables, darts, slot machines, and more! On Thursday, sing your heart out at karaoke!
The Milky Way
It wouldn't be a holiday without ice cream! The Milky Way is in the center of town and offers a range of sweet treats and desserts, perfect for a hot day!
When Should You Visit Kalbarri?
The timing of your visit to Kalbarri is crucial, due to the weather. During the summer months (November-March), temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius, and are regularly in the 40s. Because of this, it is not recommended to visit during these months as sightseeing is difficult, hiking is dangerous and must be done before 7 am, and many trails are closed.
April-May are the most popular are best months to visit Kalbarri. Temperatures are still warm, averaging at about 26 degrees Celsius, which means hiking is doable and the beach is still enjoyable. Keep in mind this is peak season, so accommodation (including camping and caravan parking) and restaurants need to be booked in advance.
The winter months of June-August make up the rainy season in Kalbarri. If you're not scared to get wet, these are perfect months for hiking as temperatures are much cooler. Just be aware of any local alerts regarding thunderstorms, lightning, and flooding. If you are afraid to get wet, do not visit in these months, as there is not much to do indoors.
September and October are also great months to visit. It is spring, so flowers start blooming and temperatures start increasing. However, the weather in spring can be unpredictable; it may be cold and rainy, or it may be hot and sunny. If you're prepared for both, these months are also great for visiting.
Places to Stay
The Edge Resort
The Edge Resort is your best option for those wanting a more luxurious stay. It is a relaxed, 4-star hotel, perfect for families and couples. They have a range of rooms available, such as their self-contained Studio apartments, Executive Spa Suites, or Spa Apartments - many feature private balconies, spa baths, and BBQ decks. Other amenities include a solar‑heated outdoor pool, a giant chess set, a BBQ area, a guest laundry, free parking, Wi‑Fi, and Foxtel TV. It is also in the center of town; however, it is at the back, and not on the waterfront.
Kalbarri Motor Hotel
The best thing about the Kalbarri Motor Hotel is that it is situated right on the waterfront of the Kalbarri Foreshore/Murchison River. This is the perfect place for those wanting something between a hotel and a backpackers'/camping. They have a range of rooms available, each with a private patio, TV, free wifi, daily cleaning, fridge, tea, and coffee. They also have a local pub and restaurant, which has plenty of activities, delicious food (best known for their pizzas), and live music.
Red Bluff Tourist Park
This tourist park is situated a few minutes walk from Red Bluff Beach, which means guests have panoramic views of the ocean and Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs. The offer family units, beach houses, and powered camping or caravan sites. There's free wifi, a covered kitchen, swimming pool, BBQ area, laundry, drinking water, RV dump station, and dogs are welcome on the campsites or caravan sites. Please note that this park is located outside of the main town; it is about an hour's walk to the center, along the main road.
Tasman Holiday Park
This holiday park is situated right on the waterfront of the Murchison River, and the beach is literally across the road. It is also close to cafes, shops, and restaurants. They offer en-suite cabins, powered and non-powered campsite for tents and/or caravans, and allow dogs on the campsite, except during school holidays. Other amenities include a camp kitchen (cooktops, BBQs, microwave, fridge/freezer, kettle, sink, and undercover communal seating),
playground for children, free gas BBQs, laundry (coins, no dryers), ice, fish‑cleaning station, laundry, dump point, and free Wi‑Fi via multiple hotspots across the site.
Kalbarri Backpackers
Kalbarri Backpackers is again in a great location, just one block from the foreshore (about 3 minutes walk)! It has a laid-back, social atmosphere with shared dorms, long-stay shared dorms, and private rooms. Other amenities include fridges, freezers, outdoor BBQ, indoor kitchen, free laundry, pool, and weights. During the high season, the backpackers are generally a very social place, but during summer and the low season, it's more relaxed.
How to get there
Kalbarri is about 7 hours North of Perth, and getting there can be difficult, but there are a few different options. From Perth, you can rent a car or campervan and drive there yourself. This is a great option for a mini road trip, giving you the ability to stop at other destinations such as the Pinnacles along the way. This also gives you the flexibility to get around Kalbarri, as there is no public transport and most of the activities are within walking distance. If you do not have your transport in Kalbarri, the only way to see things such as Kalbarri National Park and Pink Lake is by booking tours. The other option is to catch a bus to Kalbarri and then rent a car from Kalbarri Auto Center. You can either book a TransWA bus from Perth which will drop you to the center of Kalbarri, outside of the pub, or you can book the integrity bus which is usually overnight, however, it drops you about 30 minutes away from Kalbarri, so you will need to book a shuttle with D'Guy to get into the town center and your accommodation.
Thank you for reading!
I hope you found it useful. Be sure to check out my photos and other blog posts. To see more of my real life as a backpacker, check out my social media! TikTok, Instagram, and Youtube are all danas_diarry
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