Kalbarri Scenic Flights Ultimate Discovery Tour - Abrolhos, Pink Lake and River Gorges Adventure From Kalbarri

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The longest of Kalbarri's island flights: a morning of snorkelling at Turtle Bay on East Wallabi Island in the Abrolhos, lunch and a guided island walk, then a flight home over the Batavia wreck site, the Pink Lake at Hutt Lagoon and the river gorges of Kalbarri National Park.

Days

About 6.5 hours

Group size

Shared flight in a single-engine light aircraft

Start / finish

Kalbarri Airport / East Wallabi Island / Kalbarri Airport

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Single-engine light aircraft with headset commentary

Meals

Lunch on the island with tea, plunger coffee and refreshments

Route

Map of Kalbarri Scenic Flights Ultimate Discovery Tour - Abrolhos, Pink Lake and River Gorges Adventure From Kalbarri

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Included experiences

Kalbarri coastal cliffs — low-level flight over 400-million-year-old red rock
Turtle Bay — swim and snorkel over coral in protected water
East Wallabi Island — guided walk past seabirds and limestone caves
Morning Reef — fly over the site of the 1629 Batavia wreck
Hutt Lagoon — circle the Pink Lake near Port Gregory
Kalbarri National Park — the Murchison River gorges from the air

Kalbarri Scenic Flights Ultimate Discovery Tour - Abrolhos, Pink Lake and River Gorges Adventure From Kalbarri

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: KALBARRI AND THE COASTAL CLIFFS

Your day starts at Kalbarri Airport with a morning take-off, after a short safety video and a pre-flight form. Every seat is a window seat, and the pilot talks you through the route over a noise-reducing headset. The plane 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 it's open ocean 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. Every activity on the island is optional, so you can also just sit on the sand. Lunch follows, with a standard, vegan or gluten-free choice, plus 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 AT HUTT LAGOON

Near Port Gregory, a port built in the 1850s to ship lead from mines inland, 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, and part of the lake is farmed to harvest it. The shade shifts with the sun and cloud, from bubblegum pink to red or lilac, and the pilot circles the lake before heading on.

LATE AFTERNOON: THE RIVER GORGES

From the lake the plane turns inland over Kalbarri National Park, more than 180,000 hectares of sandplain and gorge country where over 1,000 kinds of wildflower have been recorded. The Murchison River has cut deep gorges through the park, and from above you see the bands of red and white rock jutting from the walls and the dark pools strung along the riverbed. Kalbarri Airport sits inside the park itself, so the gorges are the last thing you see before touchdown, about six and a half hours after you left.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Kalbarri Airport terminal, Fawcett-Broad Drive, about 10 km from town along Ajana Road (allow 15 minutes to drive). Check in 30 minutes before departure.
Departure time: Leaves in the morning; your exact time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: About 6.5 hours, with most of the middle of the day on East Wallabi Island.
Fitness: Swimming, snorkelling and the island walk are all optional. The island has soft sand and some uneven ground, so this tour does not suit anyone who needs help to walk or uses a wheelchair.
Dietary needs: Choose standard, vegan or gluten-free lunch when you book.
Please note: Give your weight fully clothed, with shoes, when you book. Some seats take a maximum of 120 kg, so passengers over 119 kg need a different seating arrangement, set up when you book. Flights need a minimum number of passengers and are confirmed by email. Service animals cannot be carried.

What to bring

Swimwear and a towel
Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
Water bottle
Camera
A small backpack to carry it all

What is included

Return scenic flight from Kalbarri to East Wallabi Island
Low-level flight along the Kalbarri coastal cliffs
Snorkelling at Turtle Bay with mask, snorkel and fins
Lunch (standard, vegan or gluten-free) with tea, plunger coffee and refreshments
Guided nature walk on East Wallabi Island
Flights over the Batavia wreck site, Hutt Lagoon Pink Lake and the Kalbarri gorges
Pilot commentary and noise-reducing headsets

Not included

Transport to and from Kalbarri Airport

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

How we collect and publish reviews

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 Ultimate Discovery tour with our pilot Hayden and it was the best thing we did in Kalbarri. We flew out to the Abrolhos, snorkelled and ate on East Wallabi Island, met a sea lion in the water, and flew home over the Pink Lake and the inland gorges.

Jason Seechin Verified· Travelled 12th March 2024

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