Explore the Real Side of WA: Kalbarri & Denham, told by Dom & Jesso

Some places surprise you before you've even unpacked...

For Dom and Jesso, their journey along Western Australia's Coral Coaststarted exactly that way. Before the bags were out of the car, they were standing among locals with binoculars in hand, watching humpback whales breach just offshore. It was the kind of welcome that set the tone for everything that followed.

Here's their journey, in their own words

"We knew we'd picked the right place."

"As soon as we pulled into Kalbarri, we saw humpback whales breaching in the ocean," Dom says.

"The carparks were full with locals and tourists all watching with binoculars, and we were so excited knowing we'd be heading out on a whale watching tour the next day." Sometimes a destination introduces itself before you even arrive.

Two towns, one easy way to explore

For Dom and Jesso, both Kalbarri and Denham made slowing down feel easy. "Both locations were amazing,"Jesso says. "Right in the centre of town. You couldn't be closer to the ocean if you tried, and everything was within walking distance - restaurants, cafés and shops."

It meant less time planning and more time doing what they came for. Morning coffees became beach walks. Dinner came after sunset swims. Every day seemed to unfold naturally. 

The experience they'll be talking about for years...

Ask them what stayed with them most, and neither of them hesitates.

"The 4WD tour through Francois Peron National Park," Dom says.

"It had been on our bucket list for years, and it absolutely exceeded every expectation. The contrast between the red sand and bright blue water was just mind blowing."Some places really are as spectacular as the photos. Some somehow manage to be even better. 

The place they didn't expect to love

Kalbarri was already on their radar. Denham quietly stole a piece of it. "The town itself was so much better than we expected," Jesso says. "It had such a great atmosphere during the school holidays. The water was completely glassy while we were there, and we honestly couldn't believe it was winter."

 It's one of those places that doesn't need to shout to leave an impression.

The moments that weren't on the itinerary

Looking back, some of their favourite memories were the ones they hadn't planned for. An evening paddleboard through Lagoon Creek.

"The colours of the water were crystal blue, surrounded by the red cliffs," Dom says. "It was pure magic." Then there was the Murchison River Wilderness Cruise.

"We hadn't heard much about it beforehand," Jesso says. "But we're so glad we booked it. We learnt so much about the river, spotted incredible birdlife, visited Murchison Station and explored the sand dunes."Those unexpected finds often become the stories you tell first.

Wildlife encounters you'll never forget

From Monkey Mia's  famous dolphins to snorkelling, kayaking and river wildlife, there was no shortage of memorable encounters. But one stood above the rest. "Definitely the whale watching," Dom says.

 "Watching humpback whales breaching so close to shore was incredible. Seeing something that powerful with your own eyes is hard to describe."  It's also the moment they captured their favourite image of the trip -a humpback breaching against a winter sunset.

If they could do it again...

Their advice? Stay longer.

"We'd spend more than three days in both places,"Dom says. "You could easily spend a week in Kalbarri and another in Denham without running out of things to do."

And if time is limited? 

"Spend a little longer in Kalbarri,"Jesso says. "There's just so much variety. Hiking, surfing, beach hopping, the national park... every sunrise and sunset feels different. The Loop Trail is absolutely worth doing."

Who'll love this trip?

"Anyone who loves getting outdoors," Jesso says. "Couples, families, campers, adventurers... anyone who enjoys exploring Australia's wild places."

It's the kind of road trip where every stop offers something completely different, yet every day somehow ends the same way - with stories around the table about what you'll do tomorrow.

The trip, in one sentence

When we asked Dom and Jesso to describe WA's Coral Coast to someone who's never been, they didn't need long.

"It's truly one of a kind. From the pink lake before you reach Kalbarri, to incredible hikes, humpback whales breaching from town, and the colours of Shark Bay that honestly don't look real... it's one of the most amazing trips we've ever done."

And maybe that's the beauty of this stretch of Western Australia.

It's not just about ticking off famous landmarks. It's watching whales before breakfast. Finding a paddleboard spot nobody told you about. Pulling over because the water doesn't quite look real.

The kind of moments that quietly become the ones you remember long after you've driven home.

Inspired by Dom & Jesso's journey?

Whether you're chasing humpback whales in Kalbarri, watching the colours change across Shark Bay, or mapping out a longer adventure along Western Australia's Coral Coast, this is the kind of road trip that rewards those who leave room for the unexpected.

If you're looking to explore even more of the region, don't miss Adam & Clara's Ledge Point adventure, where the journey begins with 4WD tracks, towering dunes and one of WA's most underrated coastal escapes.

Then, when you're ready to start planning your own adventure, explore our latest holiday offers and find the perfect base for your Coral Coast road trip.