Kalbarri draws attention to the Murchison River, the coast and the gorge landscape of nearby Kalbarri National Park. These features are not all in the same place: the river runs through the entire township, while several trails and lookouts are in the park’s nearby surroundings. When planning your trip, it is therefore helpful to distinguish between activities right by the water in town and excursions along park trails. This selection covers a range of options, from river activities and coastal trails to gorge destinations.

River and coast

The Murchison River runs through the entire township of Kalbarri and offers opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming and paddling. There are various activities to choose from on the river, from boating to spending time in the water.

The coast also offers a range of options. Jakes Point is a surf break and is recognised as a National Surfing Reserve; the wave is best suited to experienced surfers. Blue Holes is near Kalbarri: it is a protected swimming beach and a designated Fish Habitat Protection Area, where you can go snorkelling.

The stretch of beach from Wittecarra Beach south to Red Bluff is popular for beach fishing and offers 4WD access to the water within the township of Kalbarri.

Trails and gorges in the national park

Kalbarri National Park covers 186,000 hectares. All areas of the park can be reached by vehicles with two-wheel drive via sealed roads. Several trails in the area around Kalbarri pass through varied landscapes.

The Loop Walk is nine kilometres long, follows a loop along the Murchison River and passes Nature's Window. The Bigurda Trail is an eight-kilometre coastal trail in the national park’s trail network. The Loop Walk features river scenery and Nature's Window, while the Bigurda Trail has a coastal character.

The 700-metre Ross Graham River Walk is a loop trail that leads to the Murchison River, where you can swim or paddle. It is considerably shorter than the eight-kilometre Bigurda Trail and the nine-kilometre Loop Walk. The Z Bend River Trail offers a different experience: it descends between boulders and river eucalypts into the gorge, reaching the Murchison River.

The Kalbarri Skywalk has two cantilevered viewing platforms suspended 100 metres above the gorge. The park thus offers different perspectives: the Z Bend River Trail descends to the river, while the Skywalk’s platforms sit high above the gorge.

Cultural context and local tradition

The Nanda are recognised as the traditional owners of Kalbarri National Park. This cultural context adds a distinct point of reference to the park’s natural features.

Pelican feeding on Kalbarri’s foreshore began in 1975, when local fisherman Cliff Ross gave fish scraps to pelicans. Feeding is scheduled for 8:45 a.m.; however, pelicans and volunteers may not appear every day of the year.

Discover more destinations: Roleystone, Oombulgurri, Parryville, Yanchep, Karijini, Siesta Park, Wonnerup, North Fremantle

For the main travel overview: Western Australia.