Kalbarri Scenic Flights River Gorges & Coastal Cliffs Flight

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A 45 minute flight from Kalbarri that follows the Murchison River gorges from end to end, then drops to cliff-top height along the coast, with your pilot talking you through it over the headset.

Includes

45 minute scenic flight from Kalbarri Airport
Pilot commentary through noise-reducing headsets

Window seat for every passenger

Kalbarri Scenic Flights River Gorges & Coastal Cliffs Flight

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

TAKE-OFF: INTO KALBARRI NATIONAL PARK

Check in at Kalbarri Airport, 10 km east of town, half an hour before your flight for a short safety video and a pre-flight form. Every seat is a window seat, and the pilot talks you through the flight over a noise-reducing headset. The plane heads inland into Kalbarri National Park, more than 180,000 hectares of sandplain and gorge country where over 1,000 kinds of wildflower have been recorded. First comes Ross Graham Lookout, one of the few places in the park where you can walk right down to the river's edge. From there the plane follows the gorges along their full length.

THE MURCHISON RIVER GORGES

The river below is the Murchison, which runs about 800 km from the inland ranges and has cut an 80 km gorge through the park. You pass close enough to see the white, red and purple bands in the walls. At Hawks Head the lookout is named for a rock that looks like the bird's head, and the Z Bend is just that, the river doubling back on itself between sheer walls. Watch for Four Ways, where the river runs one way and two big side gorges come in from opposite directions, then The Loop, where the river curls almost all the way around a ridge crowned by Nature's Window, a natural arch in the sandstone.

DOWN THE RIVER TO THE SEA

Past The Loop the river leaves the gorges and winds across the farmland of Murchison House Station towards the coast, and you follow it all the way to the river mouth at Kalbarri. The town has a claim to Australia's first European residents: in 1629 two Batavia mutineers were put ashore near here as punishment and never seen again. Look down for the sandbar across the mouth, where river water and Indian Ocean surf meet, and the boats moored in the calm water of the lower river.

THE COASTAL CLIFFS AND HOME

The last part of the flight runs along the coastal cliffs south of town at cliff-top height. This red, 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. The sea has carved it into gorges, sea stacks and arches, and between about June and November humpback whales pass close along this coast. Then the plane turns inland and lands back at the airport, about 45 minutes after take-off.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Kalbarri Airport, Fawcett-Broad Drive, off Ajana Road, about 10 km east of Kalbarri town. Arrive 30 minutes before your flight; boarding closes 15 minutes before take-off.
Duration: 45 minutes in the air.
Minimum age: No minimum age. Babies under 12 months fly free on a parent's knee (one per booking), and children must fly with an adult.
Please note: Passenger weights must be declared when you book. Some aircraft have a 120 kg seat limit, so online tickets are capped at 120 kg per passenger; anyone heavier should tell us when booking. Pregnant passengers need a doctor's certificate saying it is safe to fly.
Suits: People with limited mobility or cognitive disabilities can fly if they can board the plane safely; the front seat must go to someone who can follow the pilot's instructions. Service animals can't travel as the planes are too small. The terminal has no steps and has disabled parking.

What to bring

A camera or phone
One small carry-on bag only (3 kg limit)

What is included

45 minute scenic flight from Kalbarri Airport
Pilot commentary through noise-reducing headsets
Window seat for every passenger

Not included

Transport to 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 2 reviews

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)

Our pilot Jarrod was friendly and knowledgeable as we flew over the Kalbarri National Park gorges, the town and the coastal cliffs. We even spotted dolphins and whales, and seeing it all from the air is something photos can't capture.

Roko Radman Verified· Travelled 27th July 2026

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(5/5)

I took the 45-minute River Gorges and Coastal Cliffs flight with Ashley, who'd also taken my booking. He gave great commentary over the gorges, cliffs and town, including how the gorges formed and showing us Four Ways, which we'd hiked the day before and which you can only really see from the air.

Christopher Dold Verified· Travelled 20th September 2021

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