WA’s Coral Coast: Geraldton, Kalbarri & Shark Bay

 Red earth contrasts with turquoise waters along WA’s Coral Coast. Image source: Tourism WA

Have you been dreaming of exploring Western Australia’s Coral Coast but don’t know where to begin? Taking a short one-hour flight from Perth to the laid-back coastal town of Geraldton will maximise your holiday time by saving you five hours of driving. Once you’re there, Kalbarri’s dramatic cliffs and the wildlife of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shark Bay are easily accessible. Together, these three very different destinations will give you a great introduction to the region.

Here’s what to expect when visiting Geraldton, Kalbarri and Shark Bay on a mini-break or longer stay for an action-packed Coral Coast adventure.

Sweeping views over the Abrolhos Islands, where the famous Batavia was shipwrecked in 1629. Image source: Tourism WA

Geraldton: Natural attractions, history and culture

Around 420 kilometres north of Perth, the stunning landscapes and history will help make your Geraldton holiday memorable. Go further afield to the Abrolhos Islands as you explore one of Western Australia’s most rugged, remote and reinvigorating places.

Explore Aboriginal sites

Take the 195-kilometre Yamaji Drive Trail and explore the region’s Indigenous history through 14 sites featuring art and natural landmarks significant to the traditional owners, the Yamatji people. Stop at the Mass Rock altar dedicated to local Aboriginal communities and walk through the wildflowers at Woolya Reserve.

Experience 19th-century life

Picnic on the grounds of Greenough Museum and Gardens, an interactive, family-friendly homestead dating back to the town’s colonial history. Admire one of Greenough’s famous leaning trees, estimated to be between 600 and 1,000 years old!

Riverside bird and wildlife watching

Cycle or stroll the 17-kilometre Greenough River Walk Trail past river cliffs and massive river red gums. Look out for ospreys, kingfishers, pelicans, spoonbills, fairy wrens and seasonal migratory shorebirds; and wildlife including the fat-tailed dunnart, geckos and snakes.

Hilltop WWII memorial

The HMAS Sydney II Memorial features a striking dome structure honouring 645 Australian crew members who were lost at sea in 1941, and gardens with views of the Indian Ocean.

Take an island boat tour

As part of your Geraldton holiday, take a day tour or five-day cruise to the Abrolhos Islands, site of the notorious 1629 Batavia shipwreck and its gruesome aftermath. Dive the wreck site, visit Australia’s oldest European-made structure and go snorkelling, wildlife watching or fishing.

Admire the colours of Hutt Lagoon, also known as Pink Lake, south of Kalbarri. Image source: Tourism Australia

Kalbarri: Panoramic views and unique waterscapes

From Geraldton, hire a car for the 155-kilometre drive to easy-going Kalbarri, a nature lover’s paradise with colourful gorges, rocky beaches and cinematic coastal scenery.

Scenic viewpoints

Gaze over the Murchison River Gorge from the Kalbarri Skywalk, which features Indigenous artwork. See the curve of the river cutting through rugged terrain at Z-Bend, and photograph the picture-perfect red, sculpted landscape through the natural arch of Nature’s Window.

Dramatic oceanside cliffs

Grab your walking shoes and hike the coastal trail above towering rocky cliffs with uninterrupted ocean views. Admire Island Rock’s unusual formations and watch the whales from Red Bluff, then stop at Pot Alley as the cliffs turn orange at sunset.

Beautiful local beaches

For a fun day out, hit the beaches in Kalbarri. Close to town, check out the shallow rock pools at Back Beach, and follow the path to nearby Zuytdorp Memorial lookout. A few minutes south, try snorkelling and swimming at Blue Holes, a Fish Habitat Protection Area with abundant marine life.

Photograph the pink lagoon

A highlight of your trip to Kalbarri is the photogenic Hutt Lagoon, about 60 kilometres south of town. Commonly known as Pink Lake, it is coloured by beta-carotene-producing algae and is best viewed on a sunny day between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

Feed the pelicans

Watch the pelicans being fed from 8:45 AM daily at the foreshore near The Pelican Cafe, and Kalbarri Boat Hire and Canoe Safaris. You may even get a chance to feed one! Attendance is free, but donations are appreciated.

 Visitors watch the dolphins during the daily feeding session at Monkey Mia Conservation Park. Image source: Tourism Australia

Shark Bay: Wildlife and maritime history

Surrounded by striking landscapes and beaches, including the dramatic scenery of Francois Peron National Park, this UNESCO World Heritage Area is 375 kilometres north of Kalbarri. After your stay, fly back with Rex Airlines to Perth from Denham, the region’s main town. Here are some of the best things to do in Shark Bay:

Spot marine life from above

Take a 4WD adventure to Francois Peron National Park, where ochre-coloured cliffs tower over blue-green waters. Hike to Skipjack Point and watch for sharks and rays below.

Encounter dolphins up close

Bottlenose dolphins are regular visitors to the Monkey Mia Conservation Park, and are fed each day between 7:45 AM and 12:00 PM. Visitors are sometimes invited to participate.

Unwind at Little Lagoon

Spend an afternoon kayaking, swimming, fishing or birdwatching at Little Lagoon, near Denham. It’s the perfect spot to relax or take the family.

Stroll Shell Beach

One of only two in the world, the glistening white shores of this 60-kilometre-long beach are made up of tiny cockle shells up to 10 metres deep in places. Swim in its highly saline waters, where you can easily float.

Visit Denham’s cultural centre

At the World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre, learn about the Indigenous Malgana people and view a replica of the Dirk Hartog plate left by the explorer in 1616, the first record of European contact. Dine at the Old Pearler, a restaurant built out of compacted shells from Shell Beach.

Visit the Shark Bay aquarium

Encounter local marine life at Ocean Park Aquarium, internationally recognised for its research and conservation efforts. Take a guided dive or snorkelling tour with Shark Bay Dive and Marine Safaris.

Remote coastal drives and off-road adventures along Western Australia's Coral Coast. Image source: Tourism Australia

Start your Coral Coast adventure from Perth Airport

Get away to where the outback meets the ocean along Western Australia’s Coral Coast. Whether you’re seeking beachside relaxation, cultural exploration or an action-based holiday, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Geraldton, Kalbarri and Shark Bay. Avoid the five-hour drive and spend more time exploring by taking a one-hour flight from Perth to Geraldton with Nexus Airlines then drive on to explore Kalbarri and Shark Bay. Enjoy convenient parking options, dine and shop while you wait for take-off, and start planning your unforgettable coastal adventure today.