Make tracks in this Western Australian beachside playground

FEELING adventurous? How about a quad bike ride amid the untouched beauty of Kalbarri at Wagoe Beach.

Quad biking at Wagoe Beach, south of Kalbarri. Picture: Chris Robinson

WE ARE gliding freely across the untouched sand, blazing our own trails like modern-day pioneers.

To our right, waves crash against the battered reef, temporarily turning the sparkling blue water into a white foamy broth.

To the left, the undulating dunes stand proudly, keeping vigil at the edge of the beach.

We have been travelling for nearly an hour, yet there is still so much to discover. At last, I get a chance to lead the exploration pack and, for a moment, I can picture what it would have been like to be the first to cast my eyes on this majestic coastline.

If only the early settlers had an automatic two-seater quad bike to explore this part of WA's mid-west.

At Wagoe Beach, 20km south of Kalbarri, every newcomer must feel as if they have come across an unmapped region of the world. The best way to experience the isolated, untouched strip of beach is to take a tour with Wagoe Beach Quad Bikes.

At Wagoe Farm, the drivers are given a brief safety lesson and we then get the chance to become acquainted with the handling of the bikes as we roll up and down the hills of a sand track towards the beach. After popping over one final mound, the majestic coastline finally reveals itself, and we proceed to track along the beach for several hours to see up close what it has to offer.

The real adventure arrives when we switch the bikes into four-wheel-drive mode and attack the rolling collection of dunes alongside the shore. The reward for carving through the windswept sand awaits at the very top of the dunes, where a panoramic view of the coast and nearby Kalbarri National Park provides a lasting impression of the trip.

Land, sand, river or sea, the Kalbarri area offers a wide range of activities that make it an ideal holiday destination year-round.

Ocean-lovers and fishing fanatics will be hooked by the chance to go deep-sea fishing. The staff onboard the Reefwalker guarantee you'll land at least a couple of big ones.

The half-day adventure gives visitors a wonderful chance to experience all that the ocean environment has to offer, including an up-close experience with a whale or two between June and December.

For those who prefer the gentler water, the Murchison River provides a welcoming sight. The best way to see the river up close, other than taking a dip, is to take a leisurely cruise on the famous Kalbarri River Queen.

On leaving the rivermouth, the township of Kalbarri quickly makes way for the tranquil surrounds of the upper Murchison, providing just a peek at the gorges and sandstone cliffs beyond. As we make our way back along the river to grab a lasting impression of the stunning burnt-orange sunset, our tour guide points out that the largely untouched natural landscape surrounding us would have offered a very similar view to those who found themselves here two centuries ago.

Travel Tips: Western Australia Destination Guide

Holiday Ideas: Escapes for the adventurous