Destination guides > Australia > Western Australia > Batavia Coast > Kalbarri & Kalbarri National Park
Kalbarri & Kalbarri National Park
Two Dutch sailors involved in the Batavia mutiny on the nearby Houtman Abrolhos Islands were marooned near Kalbarri, making them Australia’s earliest European residents. Kalbarri doesn’t make a big deal of its history and instead is just a pleasant beach town that is a handy base for exploring nearby Kalbarri National Park.
The national park features impressive gorges and some good hiking trails.
The Rainbow Jungle is another destination that attracts a lot of travellers, and a walk through this parrot breeding centre (just a few kilometres outside the town) can be a lot of fun. Hundreds of animated birds fly around, busy with their daily habits as they sing songs and show off their colours.
During spring, Kalbarri is a popular spot for whale watching and dolphin spotting, and there are also good possibilities for recreational fishing from the beaches at Wittecara Creek and Blue Holes.
Practical information
Kalbarri Tourist Bureau
Grey Street, Kalbarri
Tel (08) 9937 1104 or 1800 639 468
Website www.kalbarriwa.info
Open 9am-5pm daily
Department of Conservation & Land Management (CALM)
Ajana Kalbarri Road, Kalbarri
Tel (08) 9937 1140
Website www.calm.wa.gov.au
Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Coming & going
Transwa (tel 1300 662 205) coaches go to Perth via Geraldton. Coaches depart from the stop on Grey Street.
Hostel accommodation
Kalbarri Backpackers
52 Mortimer Street, Kalbarri
Tel (08) 9937 1430
Hiking
The park features 80km of gorges and there are some very good hiking trails ranging from the easy Z Bend hike (500m) that goes to a rock lookout with views to the Murchison River. Longer walks include the Coastal Trail (8km, 3-5 hours) that takes in coastal views from the cliff tops between Eagle Gorge and Natural Bridge.
Visitors should be very cautious while hiking in the gorge areas and park rangers recommend that you undertake the longer walks in groups of at least five.
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