Western Australia Tourism & Accommodation Guide

Kalbarri - Tourist Haven

Kalbarri is a tourist haven that was originally a fishing village known only as the mouth of the Murchison, but the secret soon got out!

The Backpackers Guide to WA says:-
Today the town boasts a hotel/motel, tavern, two holiday resorts, numerous holiday villas, four caravan parks, takeaway fast food outlets, top class restaurants and two backpacker hostels.
Arguably the biggest attraction to Kalbarri are the inland river gorges of the Murchison where visitors can see the splendor and ever-changing colour hues of these hundred metre plus deep ravines with spectacular views from several lookout points.
The nearest of the gorges is 37km from town and has been out of reach to backpackers without a car but tours now run daily from town that allow visitors to not only see the magnificent view but to trek into their depths and even take a swim in one of the many deep pools.

On the way to the spectacular coastal gorges, a call into Rainbow Jungle parrot habitat is strongly recommended. It is a credit to its owner-operators who carted and laid thousands of tonnes of local rock to build it and then stock it with birds valued at up to $8,000 a pair. Impeccably clean, all parrots are clearly identified with information provided about their main place of domicile and food preference. Many are threatened species and are being bred from.

Catering for those who have never thrown a leg over a horse in their life or the experienced horse person, Big River Ranch conduct lessons in the morning, where ability is matched with a horse and afternoon rides along the river or sunset rides on the beach are available.

Surfing enthusiasts can be assured of a great time at Kalbarri for Jaques Point (just south of town on the Red Bluff Road) is reputed to have the best and most consistent left-hander on the western coast.

The Kalbarri region is rich in Australian history. In 1629, before being wrecked on the nearby offshore Abrolhos Islands, the Dutch East India trading ship Batavia (skipper Francisco Pelsaert), put two mutinous crew ashore at Wittecarra Creek (near Bluff Point, south of town). They are believed to be the first permanent European settlers, albeit unwillingly, of our nation. They were Jan Pelleeromm and Wouter Loos.

In 1712 another Dutch East Indies trading vessel, Zuytdorp, became the first recorded of the many boats wrecked on the rugged cliffs of the Murchison area. The site of the 1712 calamity is commemorated by the naming of the Zuytdorp Cliffs north of the rivermouth.

Besides being home to kangaroos, wallabies, feral goats, emus and of course the magnificent inland gorges, Kalbarri National Park suddenly bursts into magnificent colour after winter rains. Over 480 different species of wildflowers come into full bloom, spectacular as individual flowers but simply superb en masse.

Fishermen will have a ball in Kalbarri whether off the beach at Bluff Point, Wittecarra Creek, Jaques Point in the ocean, Chinaman’s Beach or the fishermen’s jetty in the river, and for the real fishing buff, deep sea excursions. If they’re biting and conditions are right, they’ll jump on your hook!

Sand boarding, snorkelling, 4 wheel driving on beaches, trekking through breathtaking gorges and bushtreks along with majestic sunset tours with fantastic views over the ocean, river and surrounding hills are all available.

In season (November-June), rock lobster pot-pulling cruises are run where visitors can not only see how this delicacy is caught, but on a good day share in the catch.
Their river safari and crabbing cruises are most popular for those who don’t like the ocean but the open waters of the sea invariably attract wild dolphins around the boat.
Licensed whale watching cruise operators and run regular trips to see the giants of the deep from May until October. Scuba and snorkelling cruises are available on request and subject to quote.

A visit to the Wildflower Centre from June to November is worth the effort. The areas wide variety of native plants can be seen without having to drive miles. A small fee is charged.

All of this could explain one visitor’s comment:-
“If you haven’t enjoyed Kalbarri, check your pulse, you may be dead!”

Horse Riding on the Murchison River. Photograph courtesy of Big River Ranch

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Fantastic Fishing. Photograph courtesy of Kalbarri Explorer