Exploring Kalbarri – The Ultimate Weekend Getaway

Kalbarri is a charming coastal town, nestled at the mouth of the Murchison River. It is a town of contrasting landscapes – from the towering sandy coloured coastal cliffs to the deep red sandstone that forms the famous Natures Window and it’s surrounding gorges.

Located a 6+ hour drive (575 kilometre) drive north of Perth, Kalbarri is the ultimate weekend getaway for the nature lover or hiking enthusiast. In Kalbarri itself you will find most attractions and services are within walking distance or a short drive.

.We spent two days in Kalbarri, which was enough to see the main attractions. A third day would have allowed us to complete more hikes and enjoy some downtime by the coast.If you have the time, I recommend a long weekend stay in Kalbarri.

Kalbarri National Park

Spanning 186,000 hectares, Kalbarri National Park stretches from the coastal cliffs to the inland gorges that are over 400 million years old. The coastal section of the park is easily accessible and free to explore. To visit the inland gorges, you will have to drive 35 kilometres out of town to reach the park entrance. All roads are 2wd accessible and entry to this section is $17 per vehicle, and you pay at the park entrance gate. If towing a Caravan or Camper Trailer please note you can’t take it into the inland section of the National Park. Leave it in town or unhitch at the small parking area just past the entry station.

Kalbarri Inland Hikes

Nature’s Window

Arriving at Nature’s Window for sunrise was high on our agenda. The drive to the inland section of the national park took about 25 minutes from Kalbarri township to reach the Nature’s Window carpark.

Commencing the walk in the dark with our trusty head torches lighting the way, we followed the short 500 metre walk before reaching the window. The walk includes stairs followed by a sealed walkway and the last section does require you to navigate uneven rocks and walk close to gorge edges.

We had the place to ourselves. We stood there mesmerised by our surrounds and watched in awe as the darkness gave way to first light, revealing the colours and textures of the rock formations. The vastness of the gorge, the depth of the colours, and the winding Murchison River took our breath away — it was unlike anything we had ever seen.

Sunrise casting an orange glow over the Murchison Gorge in Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia, illuminating the rugged red cliffs and winding river below

Then after 15 minutes other people started to arrive to catch the famous sunrise location and we all waited in silence. Seeing the sun break the horizon and line up with the window is a moment I will never forget. It was such a moving and serene experience. Getting those iconic photos of Nature’s Window was not an issue on this occasion but it can get very busy at sunrise – so be prepared to share the space during peak times.

Kalbarri Skywalk

Kalbarri Skywalk, opened in 2020 this lookout consists of two cantilevered viewing platforms that project out from the gorge walls with views out across the Murchison Gorge and surrounding landscape. The grated platforms let you look straight down to the Murchison River, 100 metres below. It can be a little nerve wracking if you have any fear of heights but the views more than make up for the nerves.

Two women standing on the Kalbarri Skywalk in Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia, overlooking the Murchison River Gorge as the morning sun casts a warm glow.

Z Bend Lookout & River Trail

Scenic view from Z Bend Lookout in Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia, showcasing the Murchison River Gorge, red rock formations, and native vegetation under a clear blue sky.

Last stop for the morning was the Z-Bend lookout & River Trail. The lookout is an easy short 600 metre walk (each way) from the carpark with amazing views over the Murchison River Gorge and the sharp Z bend that gives this lookout its name.

Continuing on this path leads you to the Z-Bend River Trail – a more difficult hike (Grade 4 – 2.6 km return) down to the river’s edge. You are climbing down into the gorge, over large boulders, down ladders and over loose rocks to reach the river. It was a fun, mildly challenging hike and the scenery was breathtaking!!

Female hiker navigating large rocky boulders along the Z Bend River Trail in Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia

Female hiker descending a metal ladder on the Z Bend River Trail in Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia,highlighting the rugged terrain and challenging trail conditions

Close-up of the Z Bend River Trail's steep descent, featuring rocky steps surrounded by rugged red cliffs and native bushland

Scenic view from the end of the Z Bend River Trail in Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia, featuring the Murchison River flowing through towering red sandstone cliffs and rugged outback terrain

Finished our morning cooling our feet in the Murchison river, without another person in sight, just us, the serenity, the river red gums and the tall gorge walls. Then we completed the return journey all uphill! This is one of our favourite all time hikes and well worth the effort to complete.

Uphill hike on the Z Bend River Trail in Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia, with large boulders, river red gums, and towering red cliff faces

Kalbarri Coastal Walks and Lookouts

Daytime view of Kalbarri’s coastal cliffs in Western Australia, showcasing Island Rock sea stack, striking sandstone formations, and the vibrant blue waters of the Indian Ocean under a bright blue sky

There are many options to view and admire the massive sandstone cliffs of this region, some as tall as 100 metres that plunge into the ocean waters below. Most are easy to reach by walking along well-defined paths and boardwalks, and all are clearly signposted.

We visited the southern end sites of Natural Bridge. – this is a short flat walk from the carpark to the lookout to see the incredible force of the ocean that has carved out the bridge overtime.

Daytime view of Natural Bridge in Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia, featuring the dramatic coastal rock arch formation above the Indian Ocean, with clear blue skies and rugged sandstone cliffs

To reach Island Rock, you can drive but would recommend the Bigurda Boardwalk that connects Natural Bridge and Island Rock. It is a 1.2 kilometre raised boardwalk that provides epic views of the wild coastline. Island Rock is a lone rock that once was joined to the shoreline – again showing the force of nature and the erosion the waves can create overtime.

Close-up view of Island Rock in Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia, highlighting the layered limestone formations, rugged textures, and erosion patterns of the iconic sea stack against the Indian Ocean backdrop.

These are just a few of the walking trails available in the coastal section of Kalbarri National Park. Others to explore include Red Bluff – renowned for its surfing and vantage point for sunset. Pot Alley a rugged cove with access to the beach below. Eagle Gorge lookout and access down to the beach and be sure to keep an eye out for the Wedgetail Eagles that call the gorge home.

For those seeking a more challenging walk you can complete the Bigurda Trail – 8km one way which runs from Eagle Gorge to Natural Bridge along the cliff edge and with stunning views of the unique coastline.

Best time to visit

We visited in the early part of March 2021 – and can confirm it was hot at that time of year. We intentionally started our walks at sunrise to make use of the cooler temperatures. Having said that – not long after sunrise it was already over 30 degrees and fly nets were required – (the flies were friendly and in abundance).

Kalbarri National Park is renowned for being hot – temperatures can reach up to 10 degrees higher in the gorges than the coast. If you are intending to complete any of the hikes, cover up, wear a fly net and stay hydrated. Come with all your provisions as there is no potable water within the National Park.

It is recommended to visit between April and September which are the cooler months and ideal for hiking. Wildflowers are visible from July to October and between June – November you can also catch migrating humpback whales off the coast.

Where to stay in Kalbarri

We camped at the Tasman Holiday Parks – Kalbarri which was conveniently located in the centre of town and across from the soft sands of Chinaman’s Beach. It is also prime position for the daily Pelican Feeding on the foreshore. There are a couple of other caravan parks in Kalbarri – Red Bluff Tourist Park and Kalbarri Tudor Holiday Park all good options when staying in the area.

Where to eat in Kalbarri

Kalbarri has access to some of the freshest seafood. We chose to dine at Finlay’s – after our day of hiking and exploring, it was a great place to relax and listen to some live music. Fresh seafood and fine local brew make this location a must when visiting Kalbarri.

Golden crumbed prawns served with dipping sauce at outdoor seating of Finlay’s Restaurant in Kalbarri, Western Australia

Fresh seafood paired with cold beer served at Finlay’s Restaurant in Kalbarri, Western Australia, showcasing a vibrant coastal dining experience

We finished our stay with a walk along the beachfront and jetty at sunset and was the fitting end to our short visit to Kalbarri.

Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake)

No trip to Kalbarri would be complete without stopping at Hutt Lagoon. Located only 40 minutes from Kalbarri, Hutt Lagoon is a must visit on your way to or from Kalbarri. Hutt Lagoon spans approximately 70 km² and the lake gets its name from the pink colour that is produced from the micro algae Dunaliella salina, which thrive in salty environments. The colours can vary greatly depending on the time of day and year you visit. To see the lake at its pinkest aim for a sunny day, mid morning to late afternoon with the sun high overhead and with little wind. Do not miss your chance to see this natural phenomenon when in this region.