Kalbarri is definitely one of the lesser known precincts of Australia especially when you have the ever so popular Perth and Sydney counterparts. But if you find yourself in Perth for a trip and have the luxury of renting a vehicle, drive down to Kalbarri and explore one of the best towns in Western Australia. With its stirring sights and warm-hearted locals, you’ll wish you discovered Kalbarri sooner. Book a stay in one of the top Airbnbs or Stayz accommodations and check out the best things to do in Kalbarri.
1. Get a head start at the Kalbarri Visitor Centre
If Kalbarri is just a rest stop in your Western Australia road trip and you have nothing majestic planned – fret not. The employees at Kalbarri Visitor Centre are wonderfully helpful and more than keen to recommend you things to do in the town. From recommending you food joints according to your budget to more exciting activities like walking trails (maps included), zip-lining adventures or just a tour around the places of interest with a knowledgeable guide, this stop knows it all and is a lifesaver for the clueless.
Kalbarri Visitor Centre
Address: 70 Grey St, Kalbarri WA 6536, Australia
Website: Kalbarri Visitor Centre
2. Catch sights of the Coastal Cliffs on the Bigurda Trail
Never will an eight kilometer (4.9 mile) walk be as breath-taking as the Bigurda Trail that stretches from the Eagle Gorge to the Natural Bridge. A trail that will take an estimate 3 to 5 hours to finish, you won’t be taking note of how fast time passes as you will be busy taking photographs of the coastal cliffs – trying your best to imprint the beautiful sights into your memory. Framed with lush vegetation on one side, steeping cliffs on the other and the gorgeous Indian Ocean roaring under, go on a day with perfect weather and this will be a walk to remember.
Bigurda Trail
Address: Kalbarri National Park, Kalbarri WA 6536, Australia
Website: Bigurda Trail
3. Visit the Prince of the Hutt River Province
The story of the Hutt River Province is such an interesting and endearing one that a visit is a must if you are in Kalbarri. Also better known as the Principality of Hutt River, this unique sovereign state has opening hours where it is no trouble at all to meet a prince. Yes, Prince Graeme is usually present and more than happy to show you around. Expect to learn bite-sized history of the place, get introduced to their local currency and even receive a chop in your passport – it’s legit.
Principality of Hutt River
Website: Principality of Hutt River
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4. Go snorkeling at Blue Holes
The water at Blue Holes is cold. That’s just a precaution before you dive right into the tempting blue to escape the biting heat. But other than the first 10 seconds of freeze you’ll experience, Blue Holes is amazing. The water is clear as day and the sand smooth under your skin. Grab your goggles and a few friends out at the beach and experience snorkeling, chatting in the shallow tide, or just lazing at the shore – the experience is yours to make!
Blue Holes
Address: : Blue Holes Beach, Blue Holes Rd, Kalbarri WA 6536, Australia
Website: Blue Holes
5. Hike on the Mushroom Rock Trail
Labelled as a Category 3 hike, the Mushroom Rock Trail is more daunting than its given moniker. But one needn’t worry, just hike in a pair of good shoes and with a bottle of water. The trail’s expanse takes 2 hours to complete, and in exchange you’ll be gifted with incredible sights of the rugged coastline, Tumblagooda Sandstone and the Red Cliffs of Rainbow Valley in the distance. With a natural landscape so deeply and richly colored, the Mushroom Rock Trail is indeed the hiker and nature lover’s dream.
Mushroom Rock Trail
Address: via Mushroom Rock Road, Kalbarri, 6536 WA, Australia
Website: Mushroom Rock Trail
6. See the Pink Lake
Even the name alone is enough to spark a frenzied interest and a half-secured trip. Pink Lake is exactly what its name entails – a salt lake with a pink hue. To explain the phenomena, the pinkness is caused by the presence of carotenoid-producing algae Dunaliella salina, a source of ß-carotene, a food coloring agent and source of vitamin A. But science aside, Pink Lake also known as Hutt Lagoon is well loved for its changing spectrums of pink, red and even purple. You have to see it for yourself to believe it.
Pink Lake
Address: Hutt Lagoon, Yallabatharra WA 6535, Australia
Website: Pink Lake
7. Look out for the Murchison River Gorge
The second longest river in Western Australia, one should be familiar with the Murchison River if they’re in Kalbarri to visit – after all the charming river is host to a myriad of travel attractions and activities. But wait till you see the Murchison River gorges. A combination of the arresting beauty of the ever flowing river aisled with its steeping slopes of a valley, several lookouts are present in the Kalbarri National Park for you to enjoy this visual feast.
The Z-bend is one lookout that offers you a postcard-worthy image of the gorge, river, and lush river red gums. Alternatively, the lookout at Nature’s Window – a natural sandstone formation that frames the view of the river – is widely popular with tourists for that perfect picture.
Kalbarri National Park
Address: 70 Grey St, Kalbarri WA 6536, Australia
Website: Kalbarri National Park
8. Go on an adventurous quad biking tour
If you’re looking to explore the best of Kalbarri while on a blood-pumping, exhilarating experience, quad biking ticks all your expectations off the list. With a variety of tours to choose from, you’ll have the freedom to customize the experience to your own preference – what kind of quad bike you’ll like, what level of experience do you have and even the sights you want to see – so all you need to do is get ready to have the most thrilling adventure of your holiday! The tours typically take you through the Murchison River Reserve and Murchison House Station where you’ll get a taste of what Kalbarri has to offer and spot a couple of scenic spots and outback animals along the way.
Kalbarri Quadbike Safaris
Website: Kalbarri Quadbike Safaris
9. Ride a horse through the Murchison River
It sounds relaxing and languid at first, but if you are a first-timer at horse riding then this would be slightly more challenging than what you would have in mind initially. However, the horses are tamed and well trained so it’ll take no more than the first 5-minutes to re-engineer yourself to keep your blood curdling scream in your throat and XXX your horse-throwing nightmares into pure paranoia.
The views are fantastic – just imagine picturesque mountains against a paddle pop sky. And you’ll be having your own cowboy moment with the reins under your confident grasp and the horse trotting rhythmically through the clear waters of the Murchison River. Come prepared with a bottle of water - horse riding can get pretty thirst quenching - and a camera to take pictures of you and your horse in your moments of horse-riding glory.
10. Enjoy the sunset on Chinaman's Beach
Chinaman’s Beach is a humble beach but one not to be forgotten. Visit when the sun is setting and encounter the magic of the place in person. With the beach’s soft sand and pulsing ocean, it’s an ideal place for a stopover, a pre-dinner fruit picnic, or a dreamy location for a light read. The beach is sparsely populated except for some visiting seagulls and stranded seashells, so relax and rejuvenate and feel as if the whole place is yours.
Kalbarri, a humble delight
Commonly one of the stops in a road trip to Western Australia, Kalbarri is a delight of the best things combined – sights, people and food. Its people are always excited to introduce you their best destinations and the sparsely populated town makes travelling a joy without the crowds of tourists. Kalbarri is humbly waiting for you, don’t wait already.