Overlooking the mouth of the Murchison River, Kalbarri is a resort town on Western Australia’s stunning Coral Coast. It’s renowned for soaring river gorges, protected swimming coves and seaside cliffs and boasts an enviable sunny climate throughout the year.

Things to do

Begin the day feeding the friendly pelicans that congregate on the river foreshore each morning. A series of rocky pools known as the Blue Holes lie on the Indian Ocean coast to the south, with sheltered waters where you can spot a myriad of marine life while snorkelling.

Stroll along the waterfront boardwalk of Kalbarri to see the rocky formations of the Natural Bridge and Island Rock. Resident dolphins can often be seen playing in the offshore waters while humpback whales migrate along the coast from June to November.

Spend a day exploring the dramatic landscapes of Kalbarri National Park, a short drive from the town. You can join a river cruise along the Murchison to the iconic Z Bend or go hiking to magnificent views at Ross Graham and Hawk's Head Lookouts.

Want to get the adrenalin pumping? Kalbarri’s rocky gorges are a favourite abseiling and canyoning destination, with local operators offering adventure tours for all experience levels. Test your sandboarding skills down the dunes or jump onto a quad bike to experience the region’s off-road wilderness.

Getting around

Kalbarri is around two hours’ drive north of Geraldton Airport and 6.5 hours from Perth. It’s connected to the Western Australia capital by regular coach services, while the town is compact enough to explore on foot.