🔍

Kalbarri

WA 6536 • Rest of WA

1,478
Population (2021)
$58,344
Median Household Income
139.32 km²
Area
$258/wk
Median Rent
Coastal ParadiseTourism HubRemoteNational ParkFishing

About Kalbarri

Kalbarri is a spectacular coastal town on Western Australia's Mid West coast, located 592 kilometres north of Perth at the mouth of the Murchison River. With a permanent population of around 1,500 that swells to 8,000 during holiday seasons, it's primarily a tourism and fishing community. Named after a Nanda man and an edible seed, the town sits on Nanda traditional lands and offers a unique combination of coastal cliffs, river gorges, and semi-arid landscapes.

Tourism drives Kalbarri's economy, with 200,000 visitors annually drawn to the Kalbarri National Park, Nature's Window, the Z Bend lookout, and dramatic coastal cliffs plunging 100 metres into the sea. Daily pelican feeding, charter boats on the Murchison River, and exceptional wildflower displays in winter round out the attractions. The town suits retirees, tourism workers, and those seeking a remote coastal lifestyle with outstanding natural beauty. The 2021 Cyclone Seroja caused significant damage, but the community has rebuilt.

Kalbarri falls under postcode 6536 and is governed by Northampton Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Geraldton electorate.

📍 Location

State
Western Australia
Postcode
6536
Urban Area
Northampton
LGA / Council
Northampton
Federal Electorate
Durack
State Electorate
Geraldton
Type
Urban
Timezone
Perth (UTC+8)
Coordinates
-27.68°, 114.20°
Statistical Area
Rest of WA
Area
139.32 km²
Elevation
59m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$258
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,600
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
53 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.6%

9 state housing + 11 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Transwa N1, N2 — Perth via Geraldton 8-9 hours

Commute to Perth CBD

Distance
592 km
By Bus
8-9 hours (Transwa coach)
By Car (Peak)
6 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
6 hours

🛣️ Very remote location. Geraldton (167km south) is the nearest major centre with airport. Car essential for daily life.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town centre is walkable but most attractions and services require driving.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,557
Census 2021
1,478
▼ 5.1% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$27,820
Personal Income 2021
$33,280
▲ 19.6% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$33,280 / yr
$640/wk
Household
$58,344 / yr
$1122/wk
Family
$74,204 / yr
$1427/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,023
Born Overseas 246

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 99
  • 2. New Zealand 39
  • 3. Scotland 14
  • 4. Germany 11
  • 5. Ireland 10
  • 6. Philippines 8
  • 7. Thailand 8
  • 8. South Africa 7
  • 9. Wales 7
  • 10. Canada 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 663
Australian 516
Scottish 163
Irish 109
German 74
Australian Aboriginal 46
Italian 44
Dutch 25
New Zealander 14
Chinese 9

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

768
Both parents born in Australia
323
Both parents born overseas
182
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
45.8%
Christianity
34.8%
Buddhism
1.6%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
59 (4.0%)
5-14 years
127 (8.6%)
15-19 years
62 (4.2%)
20-24 years
52 (3.5%)
25-34 years
128 (8.7%)
35-44 years
149 (10.1%)
45-54 years
198 (13.4%)
55-64 years
301 (20.4%)
65-74 years
275 (18.6%)
75-84 years
109 (7.4%)
85+ years
27 (1.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kalbarri known for? +

Kalbarri is famous for the spectacular Kalbarri National Park with its dramatic Murchison River gorges (including Nature's Window), the extraordinary Kalbarri Skywalk, Z-Bend gorge, and stunning coastal cliffs like Red Bluff. It is also known for exceptional wildflowers in season.

How far is Kalbarri from Perth? +

Kalbarri is approximately 580 kilometres north of Perth, around a 6 hour drive via the Brand Highway and North West Coastal Highway.

Does Kalbarri have public transport? +

Kalbarri has limited Transwa coach connections to Geraldton and Perth. A car is strongly recommended for accessing the national park gorges and coastal scenery.

What is the population of Kalbarri? +

According to the 2021 Census, Kalbarri has a population of approximately 1,478 residents, a coastal town with strong tourism appeal and a growing permanent community.

Is Kalbarri a good place to live? +

Kalbarri offers an extraordinary lifestyle for nature enthusiasts, with the magnificent gorge national park, stunning coast, wildflowers, and a welcoming community. It suits tourism workers, retirees, and adventurous remote workers.

What is the postcode for Kalbarri? +

The postcode for Kalbarri is 6536.

What is the average income in Kalbarri? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Kalbarri is about $640 per week (around $33,300 per year). The median household income is $1,122 per week and the median family income is $1,427 per week.

What is the age profile of Kalbarri? +

The median age in Kalbarri is 53. The largest age group is 55–64 (301 residents, around 20%). Around 17% of residents are under 20 and about 28% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Kalbarri? +

In Kalbarri, the median weekly rent is $258, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,600 (2021 Census).