Welcome to Karijini National Park, one of Western Australia’s most breathtaking outback destinations and Western Australia’s second largest national park.
If you’re looking to add something ‘out of the box’ to your Australia bucket list or to road trip through a less popular but no less mind-blowing destination… you’re in the right place.
This best things to do in Karijini National Park travel guide is about to get your Australia wanderlust flowing! I went last year and it was insane. You’ll see what I mean from the images alone in this Karijini travel guide. Karijini National Park is a remote location indeed but that’s what makes it so magic. It’s truly an intimate experience with the natural beauty of the Australian outback.
You may have seen the photos of the dramatic red gorges, natural swimming holes, and ancient landscapes? Yup, Karijini National Park is not short of unique adventures. There are so many incredible trails, drives and experiences to choose from.
This guide will help you navigate the best things to do in Karijini National Park, where to stay in Karijini National Park, and what not to miss in Karijini National Park – if (when) you make it here.
Without further ado…
Our road trip through Karijini National Park was part of a 10 day road trip itinerary through Western Australia, starting and ending in Perth. We started the drive north after picking up our motorhome in Perth and then cut inland at Geraldton, where we made a beeline for Karijini. Post Karijini National Park we headed west to Exmouth before cruising down the coast back to Perth!
See my top tips for planning a Western Australia road trip here.
We also recorded a YouTube video with all our tips and highlights in from the trip. Watch it here:
How to get to Karijini National Park
Located in the Pilbara region, aka Australia’s wild northwest, Karijini is remote for sure but very accessible. Here are your options…
Driving from Perth:
Most road trippers landing to Western Australia will land and pick up a campervan in Perth (like we did). Karijini is then a 14 hour drive (1,500km) north from there. It’s not the closest but if you’re seeking off-the-grid exploration and a real once in a lifetime adventure – don’t write it off because of the distance… hear me out!
Flying in:
Visitors choosing to fly in typically fly into Paraburdoo Airport, which is 100km from Karijini in the nearest town of Tom Price. Then of course like anywhere in Australia, you’ll need to rent a vehicle.
Choosing your vehicle:
A 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended for your Karijini National Park adventure, as some roads and best things to do in Karijini National Park are only accessible via unsealed tracks. That is if you’re the kind of traveller that wants to do it ALL!
We didn’t have a 4WD for our visit, we were in a motorhome. We still managed to get to some stunning Karijini National Park highlights but there were definitely a couple of places we had to write off that we would have otherwise loved to visit.
For example, if you’re traveling by motorhome, places like Hancock Gorge are off-limits due to rough, unsealed, narrow roads (unsuitable for larger vehicles). With a motorhome you’ll need to stick to sealed or well-graded roads and you’ll want to check your rental insurance too to be clear what roads you’re insured to drive on!
It’s definitely still worth doing with a motorhome but just be aware there will be some restrictions. See a map of the sealed / unsealed roads below.
Where to stay in Karijini National Park
Inside the park itself you have two main options:
- Karijini Eco Retreat: This glamping site offers up the options of eco tents, cabins and campsites which are all nestled amongst native bushland at the edge of Joffre Gorge (Jijingunha). Additionally there’s an outback restaurant and bar. Click here to book.
- Dales Campground (cheaper option): Located right in the National Park this camp spot offers 153 gravel surface pitches and is within close proximity to Dales Gorge, Fern Pool, Fortescue Falls and Circular Pool (some of the best spots). This is a motorhome-friendly option with basic amenities (showers etc) in the nearby visitors centre. You can book up to 180 days in advance – $15 per adult per night.
Outside the park:
- Tom Price: Offers a variety of hotels and caravan parks, suitable for motorhomes and travellers seeking more amenities. One you could check out is Tom Price Tourist Park.
Best Time to Visit Karijini National Park
The best time to visit is autumn – early spring (between April and October), when the weather is mild and perfect for hiking. However it is important to note that the gorge pools can be rather cold during this period.
Did You Know? Winter mornings in Karijini can be surprisingly chilly, often dropping below 5°C, so pack layers if you choose winter (June – August).
On the contrary… if you visit Karijini National Park during the summer (November–March) it can bring extreme heat and possible flooding, which may limit access to certain trails and areas.
In the summer, you also get the rain so there is high risk of flash flooding. Note: you cannot go in the gorges when it’s raining, and the chance of road closures are high so this could create some delays on your trip.
In the summer you also need to plan your hikes for first thing in the morning because the midday heat is almost unbearable reaching 40degrees on a daily basis.
We visited in early December and it was indeed very very hot, with lucky no flooding. A perk of visiting at the end of the season is that we felt we had Karijini National Park to ourselves which was crazy special. The gorge pools were filled with water to swim in and the water was warm (enough).
But yes, hiking was hot and so was sleeping in our motorhome with no a/c. We only stayed one night – not sure we could have managed many more!
Note: Karijini Visitor Centre is closed from early December to early February each year.
1. Hike and Swim at Dales Gorge
This easily accessible gorge is perfect for both motorhome travellers and 4WDs alike.
There are plenty of options to choose from depending on your mobility and energy levels! Park up at Fortescue Falls carpark to explore:
- Fortescue Falls viewing area (flat walk, 15 min return)
- Dip in Fortescue Falls: Descend 400m, swim and then climb back up (leave an hour)
- Dip in Fern Pool: 300m detour from Fortescue Falls to this tranquil oasis.
- Circular Pool: A hidden gem nestled at the end of the gorge.
If you’re looking for a bigger hike, we did the Gorge Rim Walk combined with the Dales Gorge Walk Trails which is a 5.1km loop trail in the Karijini National Park, starting and finishing at Fortescue Falls carpark.
You’ll follow the rim of Dales Gorge all the way to Three Ways and Circular Pool Lookouts, before descending into the gorge. From here your follow the Dales Gorge Trail to Fortescue Falls, take a dip (potentially extending the walk to explore Fern Pool) before returning and climbing back up to the Fortescue Falls car park to finish.
Travel tip:
Keep an eye out for rock-wallabies and native birds like the spinifex pigeon. The pools are also surrounded by ancient ferns and gum trees, adding to the serene atmosphere.
2. Explore Hancock Gorge (4WD Only)
Located within the Weano recreation area, Hancock gorge is for those with a hunger for adventure. The challenging spider walk involves scrambling through narrow rock walls, leading to the stunning Kermit’s Pool.
To access, enter the park through the Western entrance.
You’ll walk through water, scale the rocks and as you go deeper into the gorge, the red rock walls get narrower and narrower which is where you’ll adjust your climbing style and you’ll experience where the famous Spider Walk gets it’s name.
Fun Fact: Hancock Gorge is nicknamed the “amphitheater of the outback” because of its acoustics and towering walls, which create a dramatic and echoing environment.
Get lifetime access to my endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in the area. You simply open the Google Map on your device and all my pins are at the touch of your fingertips.
3. Discover Hamersley Gorge (4WD Preferred)
Hamersley Gorge is an accessible gorge for 2WD, though it is an unsealed road so allow extra time for the drive (from memory the roads is in need of grading and was very bumpy). A 4WD if often preferable.
I’m so happy we could access Hamersley Gorge thought because the iconic layered rock formations and swimming holes, in the sunset light were beyond stunning.
The car park is just 200m from the gorge and it’s only a 1-1.5km hike down and back up to enjoy a dip in between the ancient energy of these red rocks.
Fun fact: The swirling rock layers here at Hamersley Gorge date back over 2.5 billion years and offer insight into Earth’s early history. It’s one of the most photogenic spots in the park, just take a look at my images below…
4. Visit Weano Gorge
Weano Gorge is a favourite among travellers for its easy-to-moderate trails, accessibility and the famous Handrail Pool, which requires only a short descent into the gorge. The main access points are motorhome-friendly (phew) but having a 4WD again provides that additional flexibility for parking closer to trailheads.
Be sure to check out:
- Junction Pool Lookout
- Junction Pool
- Upper Weano Gorge Trail (1km)
- Oxer Lookout
- Hancock Gorge – Kermit’s Pool trail (1.5km)
- Hancock Gorge – Kermit’s Pool trail (1km)
Note: This gorge is home to unique flora like ghost gums and spinifex grass, as well as lizards basking on the sun-drenched rocks.
5. Take time to look up to the stars
Karijini’s remote location makes it a prime spot for some stargazing. Staying at Karijini Eco Retreat or Dales Campground gives you the perfect chance to admire the night sky under the Milky Way.
Did You Know? Karijini lies in one of the least light-polluted regions of the world, making its night skies some of the clearest you’ll ever see.
6. Do the Joffre Falls walk trail
I would honestly like to return to do this one as I’ve heard this walk in Joffre Gorge is one of the best things to do in Karijini National Park.
From what i’ve read, the hike is deceptively easy up until the rim of the gorge. Here it becomes more challenging as you descend down into the bottom of the gorge. But for those agile and adventurous there are rewards await. Views of the amphitheatre-like landscape, the cascading waterfall and the relief of a dip in the pools below to name a few.
Get it on your Karijini National Park bucket list!
Other tips and things to note:
- FOOD AND WATER – There are minimal resources within the park itself so make sure you plan ahead for food and water supplies.
- FUEL – Similar etiquette to most of WA, make sure you are filled up with fuel before you enter the park. Tom Price is your nearest fill up.
- PHONES – Signal was far and few between so make sure you have all your essentials downloaded!
- VISITOR CENTRE – The staff here are great if you need advice / help planning your trails etc. They also have some essentials to purchase.
- RUBBISH – There are no rubbish bins within the park, so bring rubbish bags with you. Also make sure you don’t leave your rubbish bags outside overnight – we learnt our lesson and spent the morning cleaning it up!!
They might not be the best things to do in Karijini National Park but they are essential parts of keeping Karijini National Park as beautiful as it is.
Karijini National Park is honestly an outdoor adventurer’s dream, whether you decide to arrive in a rugged 4WD or a motorhome. Because of it’s crazily unique landscapes, Karijini is the kind of destination you’ll remember forever.
Is there anything else you’d add to the best things to do in Karijini National Park bucket list?
Have any questions or tips of your own? Leave them in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you.
Get lifetime access to my endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in the area. You simply open the Google Map on your device and all my pins are at the touch of your fingertips.
