Western Australia Road Trip: Exmouth to Carnarvon to Kalbarri and the Perfect Ending

After our time in Exmouth, we headed to Carnarvon — not the most memorable accommodation, but we appreciated the shorter 4.5-hour drive. The town itself didn’t impress much, but the stop served its purpose: breaking up the long drive south.

The next stretch to Kalbarri was another 4.5 hours, and it felt long. We pulled over for a quick lunch on the side of the road, enjoying the silence of the Outback. At one point, we realized our gas tank was running low — we were cutting it real close. No detours, not even to the Skywalk, just focused on making it to Kalbarri. Thankfully, we did!

That evening, we found a few food trucks by the beach, which was a lovely surprise. The breeze was brisk, though — even in July, the nights are chilly, so bring a jacket.

The Loop Trail & Nature's Window

We chose to hike the Loop Trail, one of Kalbarri National Park’s most iconic hikes. It starts at Nature’s Window, a naturally formed sandstone arch framing the Murchison River. Many people just walk to the window for a photo and turn back — fair enough, it’s stunning — but we continued on.

The full loop was scenic and peaceful, and we were rewarded with wildlife sightings: black swans gliding in the water and kangaroos grazing in the distance. It was 18°C when we left at 11 a.m. on July 16, and by the time we returned at 2:30 p.m., the car read 26°C. We were so glad we had extra water waiting for us — that trail is no joke. In the summer months, it even closes by 7 a.m. due to extreme heat, and signs along the trail serve as constant reminders: bring enough water, know your limits, dial 000 in case of emergency. People have lost their lives here by being unprepared. We were tired but grateful we did it.

Kalbarri Skywalk & Coastal Chill

A short drive away, we visited the Kalbarri Skywalk, built in 2020. We debated if it was worth it after the hike, but it totally was. The platform juts out 100 meters over the gorge, and the views are spectacular. Such a well-designed structure!

Later, we considered snorkeling at Blue Holes, but opted to relax instead and revisit the food trucks. Can’t go wrong with easy food and a beach view.

The Scenic Route to Perth (via Pinnacles!)

Checkout was at 10 a.m., and we had a long drive ahead — roughly 6 hours. We didn’t want to drive after dark, but we took our time and enjoyed the coast.

• Jake’s Point was our first scenic break — we sat on the rocks, soaked up the view, and there was even a coffee truck nearby for those craving a warm drink.

• Red Bluff Lookout offered amazing coastal panoramas.

• At Pot Alley, we hiked down through a narrow gorge to a small beach — intense and reminiscent of the Loop Trail in feel.

• The highlights were Island Rock and Natural Bridge. We parked and took short trails to both. We saw whales from up close and even a few dolphins — we didn’t want to leave. We were only 10 km from our B&B, but ended up spending 3 full hours just savoring every stop.

  

  

  

  

  

  

At 1 p.m., we hit the road again and ate lunch in the car. Tired, but content.

Stunning view of the serene Pink Lake near Port Gregory, showcasing its unique hue under a vibrant sky.

We debated a stop at Pinnacles Desert — a popular day trip from Perth (just 2 hours north). At first we weren’t sure, because we read that the visitor centre closes at 4:30 p.m., but that sunset is actually one of the best times to visit, the decision was made (you can drive it at any time).

We arrived at 5:20 p.m., and sunset was at 5:38 p.m. Perfect timing. Within minutes, I got an epic shot — one of my favorites of the whole trip. We drove through the limestone formations, stopped often for pictures, and in the northern section, we both paused — no cameras, just us in the moment. Surreal.

We considered staying for stargazing, but didn’t want to get to Perth too late. Still, we stopped the car briefly on the side of the road, turned off all lights, and just stared at the stars — crystal-clear skies and a chilly breeze that had me pulling on my tuque.

Final Thoughts on Kalbarri

Kalbarri was a highlight. We only spent 2 nights, but could easily have stayed longer. If we lived in Perth, we’d make the 6-hour drive often — it has everything: hiking, viewpoints, snorkeling at Blue Holes, huge central beaches, and more water activities we didn’t have time for.

Our road trip ended on a high. Yes, we were tired, but we were also fulfilled. Western Australia’s landscapes surprised us again and again — and Kalbarri left a lasting impression.