Kalbarri Scenic Flights Abrolhos Island Discovery Tour with Pink Lake add-on

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A six-hour day from Kalbarri: fly to the Abrolhos Islands, land on East Wallabi Island to swim and snorkel at Turtle Bay, walk the island with a guide, and fly home over the Batavia wreck site and the Pink Lake at Hutt Lagoon.

Days

About 6 hours

Age

All ages, children with an adult

Group size

Shared flight in a small plane

Start / finish

Kalbarri Airport / Kalbarri Airport

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Fixed-wing light aircraft, a window seat for everyone

Meals

Lunch box with tea and plunger coffee

Route

Map of Kalbarri Scenic Flights Abrolhos Island Discovery Tour with Pink Lake add-on

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Included experiences

East Wallabi Island — land on the Abrolhos
Turtle Bay — swim and snorkel in sheltered reef water
Nature walk — seabirds, island views and limestone caves
Batavia wreck site — fly over the 1629 shipwreck
Hutt Lagoon — circle the Pink Lake on the way home

Kalbarri Scenic Flights Abrolhos Island Discovery Tour with Pink Lake add-on

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: KALBARRI AND THE COASTAL CLIFFS

Your day starts at Kalbarri Airport at around 8am, with a short safety video before you board a small plane where every seat is a window seat. The pilot crosses Kalbarri, the town where the Murchison River meets the Indian Ocean, then follows the red cliffs above Gantheaume Bay. That layered sandstone is more than 400 million years old, and in places it holds the fossil tracks of some of the first animals to crawl out of the sea onto land. Then the coast falls away behind you, and it's open ocean all the way to the islands.

OUT OVER THE HOUTMAN ABROLHOS

The Houtman Abrolhos are 122 islands and reefs about 65 km offshore, set out in three groups, and the southernmost true coral reef in the Indian Ocean. Coral can grow this far south because the warm Leeuwin Current runs down the coast from the tropics. Dutch navigator Frederick de Houtman charted the islands in 1619, and the name is usually traced to the Portuguese for "keep your eyes open", a fair warning given the ships they have claimed. From the air the reefs show as rings of turquoise in deep blue water. Watch for sea lions and dolphins, and whales in season.

ON EAST WALLABI ISLAND: TURTLE BAY

You land on East Wallabi Island, in the northern Wallabi Group, and walk a short way to Turtle Bay. The rest of the morning is for swimming and snorkelling in clear water the reef shelters from the swell. Masks, snorkels and fins are supplied, or bring your own. Lunch is a lunch box ordered when you book, with tea and plunger coffee. Afterwards a guided nature walk takes in the seabirds, the limestone caves and the view to the neighbouring islands. Look for tammar wallabies in the scrub: in 1629 the Batavia's commander wrote about them here, the first European description of a kangaroo-family animal.

HOMEWARD: THE BATAVIA WRECK

The flight home passes over the coral atolls and Morning Reef, where the Dutch East India Company ship Batavia ran aground in June 1629 on her maiden voyage. While her commander sailed to Java for help, the under-merchant Jeronimus Cornelisz and his followers murdered about 125 of the survivors, men, women and children. A party of soldiers held out on West Wallabi Island, and the low stone walls they built there are the oldest known European structures in Australia. The pilot tells the story as you pass over.

THE PINK LAKE AND BACK TO KALBARRI

Near Port Gregory, the Pink Lake at Hutt Lagoon fills the window. It covers about 70 square kilometres, most of it a few metres below sea level, fed by sea water seeping in through springs from the ocean beyond a narrow ridge of dunes. The colour comes from the alga Dunaliella salina, which makes beta-carotene, used as a food colouring and a source of vitamin A. The shade shifts with the sun and cloud, from bubblegum pink to red or lilac, and the pilot circles the lake before heading on. Then the plane follows the cliffs north and over town to land, about six hours after take-off.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Kalbarri Airport terminal on Fawcett-Broad Drive, about 10 km east of town along Ajana Road, opposite the turn-off to the river gorges. Be there 30 minutes before take-off for the safety video and pre-flight form; boarding closes 15 minutes before.
Departure time: Around 8am; your exact time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: About 6 hours, airport to airport.
Minimum age: No minimum age. Children fly with an adult, and babies under 12 months travel free on a parent's knee (one per booking).
Fitness: Short walks on the island and swimming or snorkelling in calm reef water. You need to be able to get into a small plane safely.
Dietary needs: Lunch is ordered ahead, with standard, vegan and gluten-free options; tell us your choice when you book.
Please note: Weights are declared when you book and the pilot may check them. Some seats take up to 120 kg, so online bookings are capped at 120 kg per passenger; let us know when booking if anyone is heavier. Pregnant passengers need a doctor's certificate saying it is safe to fly. Bags are limited to one of up to 3 kg each.

What to bring

Bathers and a towel
Water, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
A camera
One carry-on bag of up to 3 kg per person

What is included

Scenic flight Kalbarri to the Abrolhos Islands, returning via the Pink Lake
Landing on East Wallabi Island
Mask, snorkel and fins
Guided nature walk
Lunch box with tea and plunger coffee
A window seat for every passenger

Not included

Transport to and from Kalbarri Airport (about 10 km from town)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

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Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We did the Abrolhos Island Discovery full day tour with the Pink Lake add-on from Kalbarri, and after a year travelling Australia it's near the top of our list. Pilots Cory and Daniel were knowledgeable and down to earth, the snorkelling in the turquoise water was lovely and the pink lake from above showed so many shades of pink.

Leslee Jackson Verified· Travelled 8th April 2024

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