Kalbarri National Park is without a doubt one of the most beautiful natural parks along Australia’s west coast. Think spectacular lookouts over the Murchison River Gorge, striking red rock formations that evoke the Outback, and dramatic cliffs lining the coastline. Kalbarri is a true paradise for any nature lover! In this travel guide you’ll discover the best things to do in Kalbarri National Park, how to visit and more tips.
Before your visit to Kalbarri National Park
To visit Kalbarri National Park you need a pass (as for all national parks in Western Australia). You can buy such a national parks pass per day, for 5 days or two and four weeks if you are going to visit several national parks in Western Australia. Such a pass can be bought at the park entrance and costs $17AUD per car for one day.
Once you leave the town of Kalbarri and drive into the national park, coverage drops off. So make sure you have downloaded the map of the area offline so you can navigate yourself at all times. Besides that, there is no potable water in the park. Since it does get incredibly hot during the day, we recommend you bring at least 2 to 3 liters of water per person for the day. In the national park you will also find a lot of wildlife such as wallabies, enchidnas and salamanders. Especially in the morning and evening these animals become active, so always drive carefully and not too fast.
10 best things to do in Kalbarri, Western Australia
Kalbarri National Park can actually be divided into two parts: the inland part and the coastal part. We recommend that you spend at least one full day for the park itself and a full day for the coastal section. Only the inland part of the park requires a national parks pass. Here you can read about the best things to do in Kalbarri National Park in Australia!
1) Kalbarri Skywalk
We found the Kalbarri Skywalk to be one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the park. The Skywalk consists of two floating platforms suspended 100 meters high above the Murchison Gorge. From here you have a breathtaking and almost 360° view of the national park! Entry to the Skywalk is free as it is included in your national parks pass. At the Kalbarri Skywalk you will also find a small cafe where they sell delicious coffees and lunch. The Skywalk itself is accessible day and night, but for the best light, it’s best to go during sunrise or sunset.
2) Nature’s Window
Nature’s Window is perhaps one of the most famous natural sights in all of Australia. This unusual shaped rock formation looks just like a carved window. Here you look out over the Murchison River Gorge below. From the parking lot, it is about 800 meters walk to Nature’s Window, which also makes it one of the easiest and accessible walks in the park. Try to arrive at sunrise or sunset for the best photos and to get ahead of the heat.
TRAVEL TIP: Throughout Kalbarri National Park there are a lot of flies. And these flies like nothing better than to bother you and come and sit on your face. So taking a fly net with you to Kalbarri National Park is not an unnecessary luxury, especially if you want to do a longer hike!
3) Z-Bend Lookout
Another, popular viewpoint is the Z-Bend Lookout. A short 1.2 km round trip hike takes you to this view of the gorge. Here you can see how the Murchison River has created a giant “Z” in the red landscape after years of erosion. Around the gorge you can see the green trees contrasting nicely with the earth color of the rocks. Those who wish can hike further from the viewpoint on the Z-Bend trail.
4) Hawks Head Lookout
Hawks Head Lookout is named after the shape that the rocks have from the viewpoint (a hawks head). Once again, you have beautiful views of the Murchison Gorge. Be sure to hike down to the riverbank. Here you have the beautiful reflections of the red rocks in the still water.
5) Hiking in Kalbarri National Park
You can do numerous wonderful hikes in Kalbarri National Park. From short hikes that take you along the edge of the gorge to longer hikes that take you deep into the park. Our favorite was the 9 kilometers Loop Trail. This hike takes you along Nature’s Window to deep into the gorge itself. Allow about 3 to 5 hours for this hike. Other wonderful hikes are the Four Ways Trail and Z-Bend Trail. Both are tough hikes that require good fitness and it is best to start as early in the day as possible to beat the heat.
TRAVEL TIP: The popular Loop trail is closed after 7 a.m. from November through March due to the heat. So start your hike early during these months!
6) Pelicans feeding
One of the most special things to do in Kalbarri is feeding the pelicans. For nearly 50 years, these gentle animals have been coming to Kalbarri’s coastline. Every day, at 8:45 a.m. sharp, the pelicans are fed fish by passionate volunteers. Meanwhile, you can admire the animals while learning more about all things pelican-related. It is the animals themselves who ultimately decide whether to come or not, making it a very ethical way to view the pelicans in their natural habitat. Due to only getting 10% of their daily food intake, they still go hunting on their own.
7) Red Bluff Lookout
Not only inland is beautiful here but Kalbarri’s coastline is breathtaking. At Red Bluff Lookout, you can see the typical red cliffs contrasting beautifully against the blue sea. Close to Red Bluff Lookout you will also find Mushroom Rock and Pot Alley, two other nice viewpoints. Swimming is strongly discouraged here, however, due to the large and rough waves. In the months of August and September, this is also a good place to spot whales!
8) Natural Bridge & Island Rock
Another wonderful stop along the rugged coastline in Kalbarri are the Natural Bridge and Island Rock. You can view these two rock formations in the sea from two platforms connected by a wooden walkway. Walk from the Natural Bridge to the Island Rock and back and be sure to keep an eye on the ocean in the meantime. Who knows, you might see a dolphin or whale from here!
9) Blue Holes
If you do want to cool off in the ocean, then Blue Holes in Kalbarri is the place to be. Part of a limestone reef system along the coast, this area was declared a Fish Habitat Protection Area in 2007. Now more than 70 species of fish live there! So the ideal place for snorkeling and swimming. Other great beaches where it is safe to swim along Kalbarri’s coastline are Chinaman’s Beach or Jakes Beach for those who want to surf!
10) Pink Lake
A visit to Kalbarri is not complete without stopping at the famous Pink Lake. Also known as Hutt Lagoon, here you will find a vast lake that is completely pink. The best time to visit is between 10am and 2pm, when the sun is high and you can really see the intense pink color of the lake. This lake turns pink because of the algae. Know that swimming is not possible, because the water is very, very salty. Hutt Lagoon is about a 45-minute drive from the town of Kalbarri.
Where to stay in Kalbarri, Western Australia
The best place to stay for Kalbarri National Park is the town of Kalbarri, which is about a 40-minute drive from the park. You won’t find any accommodations in the park itself, nor is camping allowed. In Kalbarri itself, however, you will find plenty of nice hotels and campgrounds:
- Budget ($): Kalbarri Palm Resort
- Comfort ($$): River Retreats Kalbarri
- Campsite: Kalbarri Tudor Holiday Park
How to visit Kalbarri National Park in Western Australia
Kalbarri National Park is located near the town of Kalbarri and about 580 kilometers from the city of Perth. It takes about 6 to 7 hours to drive from Perth to Kalbarri. Along the way, however, you’ll encounter plenty of other special places so make it a fun Western Australia road trip. A popular route to drive is from Perth to Exmouth (and back). The best way to get around Western Australia is by renting a car or by traveling with a camper. This way you are free to go wherever you want. There is no public transportation in Kalbarri National Park, so the only way to visit this national park is with your own transportation or a tour.
All roads in Kalbarri National Park are paved, so you do not need a 4WD vehicle to visit the park. Ample parking is also provided at all the named viewpoints, and there are often restrooms available.
Best time to visit Kalbarri, Western Australia
Kalbarri National Park is a year-round destination, but the best travel time is from May through September. Spring and fall have milder temperatures, and August and September are also whale season. From November to March it can get incredibly hot in the park, with temperatures up to 45°C. Then you won’t be able to start the popular Loop Trail after 7 a.m. either, so be sure to keep this in mind.
Still have questions about what to do in Kalbarri in Western Australia? If so, let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information for your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us contact or feel free to email info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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