Regional Western Australia Cruises

Regional WA cruises run on rivers, bays and a chain of islands, from sunset trips on the Murchison River at Kalbarri and the Ord River at Kununurra to dolphin and whale cruises out of Bunbury, Dunsborough, Augusta and Bremer Bay. This page groups them by the kind of water you want to be on, and links back to the full list of things to do in regional WA.

River cruises on the Murchison and the Ord

At Kalbarri, Kalbarri Wilderness Cruises run the Murchison River in two seasons. The morning cruise on the Murchison River runs from April to October and the sunset river cruise from November to May. Both are 2.5-hour trips that follow the channel upriver past ospreys, pelicans and black swans, with tea, coffee and a biscuit included, a stroll along the riverbank and a licensed bar on board. Boats leave off the beach in front of the Marine Rescue building on Memorial Road, and the sunset departure time follows the tide.

In Kununurra, the Ord River cruises from Triple J Tours include return transfers from your accommodation and a break at a secluded riverside camp. The Ord River sunset cruise with afternoon tea covers 110 kilometres return through gorge country towards Lake Argyle, with freshwater crocodiles and birdlife along the banks. The Lake Argyle tour and Ord River cruise adds the Durack Homestead Museum, the Lake Argyle lookout and the Ord Top Dam on a 55-kilometre run downriver, and the full-day Ord River cruise with lunch serves a buffet lunch at the riverside camp, with entry to the Durack Homestead Museum.

Coastal and island cruises at Kalbarri and Dampier

Kalbarri's coastal sunset cruise is a 90-minute run from the Kalbarri Maritime Facility, out through the Murchison River mouth and along the cliffs past Red Bluff, Mushroom Rock, Rainbow Valley and Pot Alley. Start times shift with the season, and you can bring your own drinks and nibbles.

Up in the Pilbara, Dampier cruises head into the Dampier Archipelago from The Esplanade. The Dampier Archipelago sunset island cruise leaves an hour before sunset for the Lewis islands, with an island stop for a swim. The full-day Dampier Archipelago wildlife and island adventure adds a locally made lunch, beach stopovers and snorkelling gear, and the Dampier snorkelling and sightseeing cruise is a small-group half-day over coral reefs, where whales can show up in season.

Dolphin and whale cruises

At Bunbury, the Dolphin Discovery Eco Cruise is a 90-minute trip on Koombana Bay with commentary from the skipper, and the wild dolphin swim is a seasonal half-day with wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins provided.

Whale cruises are seasonal, and each port has its own window. Augusta cruises run from mid May to late August and Dunsborough cruises from late August to late November. Killer whale expeditions leave Bremer Bay from December to April, and the Bremer Bay killer whale expedition is a full-day trip out to the Bremer Canyon. Kalbarri's humpback whale watching tour is a 2.5-hour trip from the Kalbarri Maritime Facility. Each port is lined up by month on the regional WA whale watching page.

Which cruise fits the time you have

For a short trip, the 90-minute Kalbarri coastal sunset cruise and the Bunbury dolphin cruise fit into an afternoon. The 2.5-hour sunset cruises on the Murchison River and at Dampier suit an evening, and the Ord River, Dampier full-day and Bremer Bay trips take most of the day. The Ord River tours collect you from your Kununurra accommodation, while the others meet at a marina, boat ramp, beach or the Dolphin Discovery Centre.

For something hands-on, the Kalbarri rock lobster catch and keep tour is a 2-hour early-morning trip where you haul 12 lobster pots and take home the catch.

Frequently asked questions

How long are cruises in regional WA?

Kalbarri's coastal sunset cruise and Bunbury's dolphin cruise are 90-minute trips. The Murchison River cruises and the Dampier sunset cruise are 2.5-hour trips, and the Ord River, Dampier Archipelago and Bremer Bay outings are full-day trips.

When do the Murchison River cruises run at Kalbarri?

The Kalbarri morning river cruise runs from April to October and the sunset river cruise from November to May. Sunset departure times follow the high tide, so the booking confirmation shows the correct time.

Do the Ord River cruises include pick-up from Kununurra?

Yes. The Triple J Tours Ord River cruises include return transfers from your Kununurra accommodation, and you give your address when you book.

Can I bring drinks on a Kalbarri cruise?

On the Kalbarri coastal sunset cruise you can bring your own drinks and nibbles. On the Murchison River cruises you can bring snacks but not drinks, because there is a licensed bar on board.

Do you see crocodiles on an Ord River cruise?

Freshwater crocodiles are one of the animals the guides point out from the boat on the Ord River cruises from Kununurra, along with birdlife.

What should I bring on a Murchison River cruise at Kalbarri?

A jacket, coat or beanie depending on the season, a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, a camera or binoculars, insect repellent and a water bottle or keep cup.

How old do children need to be for the Bremer Bay killer whale expedition?

Children must be 10 years or older to join the Bremer Bay killer whale expedition.

Pick the water first and the season second. River cruises at Kalbarri and Kununurra, island cruises at Dampier and dolphin and whale trips on the south and west coasts are all here, with more to explore across regional WA.