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Karijini National Park – Complete Guide

Karijini National Park – Complete Guide

Karijini National Park is an iconic place in Western Australia. If you are planning a road trip on the west coast of the country or in the North, be sure to venture there. Between waterfalls, canyons, chasms, natural pools, red earth and mountains, this oasis in the desert offers an incredible experience. However, it is important to prepare your stay in Karijini well. You definitely have to take into consideration the weather and carry enough drinking water and food, petrol and other things. In this article, you will find useful information about Karijini National Park and about how to prepare your trip.

General information about Karijini National Park

Karijini is located in the Hamersley Range and is the second largest park in Western Australia with an area of ​​6274 km². The park is located in north-western Australia, more than 1000 km from the capital, Perth.

Far from mass tourism, because it is isolated from the big cities, the park offers spectacular natural landscapes. The vegetation is lush, despite the region’s drought. In winter, many colourful flowers appear. Swimming and hiking in the gorges mingle and the discovery of a varied fauna.
During your stay, you might see kangaroos, echidnas, geckos, wallaroos, bats, a multitude of bird species, snakes, spiders… In short, a change of scenery guaranteed!

The reliefs of this region are more than 2,500 million years old. There are three Aboriginal tribes: Banyjima, Kurrama and Innawonga.

The park has two paid entrances, one to the east and the other to the west. The entrance fee to the park is $15 per vehicle per day. If you sleep there, you will only pay for the first day.

How to get to Karijini National Park ?

If you are coming from the west coast

From the west coast, the park is 620 km from Exmouth and 700 km from Carnarvon, inland. Remember that Karijini is a very isolated place. The only town nearby is that of Tom Price (3,000 inhabitants), 75 km to the west. Be careful, this is the last place to fill up with fuel and groceries before entering the park.

If you are coming from the North

From the North, 300 km separate Karijini from Port Hedland. By this way, you will not need to cross the park to make your last purchases. A complex located 36 km north of the eastern entrance offers a campsite. A site with (or without electricity depending on your budget), showers, toilets and a kitchen area, as well as a gas station. They even have a small convenience store. However, the prices are quite high.

In addition, the spots and hikes offered by Karijini are mainly located in two spots. One in the West and the other in the East. The main road is paved but a few that lead to spots are not.

Best time to visit Karijini

The park is open year-round but can occasionally be closed due to climatic conditions (closed roads due to floods, cyclones, etc.).

It enjoys a tropical semi-arid climate. In fact, it’s almost always warm in Karijini: only winter nights are cool and it can freeze. During the day it is warm and sunny in winter (March – October), while in summer (November – February) it is very hot day and night. At times it gets very humid with heavy rains, thunderstorms, and the possibility of cyclones.

Avoid Karijini during the wet season from November to January. Any other time, the weather is nice. July is the coolest month. The weather is best from May to September, but this is also the most touristy season.

To have enough time to do a few of the hikes in Karijini, you should plan at least 3 days on site. Depending on the weather and your vehicle, 2 days might be enough.

Karijini National Park 2

Best spots and hikes at Karijini National Park

Hancock Gorge

The “Hancock Gorge”, also called Spider Walk, is an atypical hike through canyons. Some parts of the trail require acrobatic talent: you have to climb the rocks of the gorge to get to a beautiful pool, the Kermits pool. But with a sense of adventure and good hiking shoes, you have got nothing to fear (it is not high). Fresh water guaranteed!

Fortescue Falls

A short walk will take you to this big blue pond and waterfalls. If you look closely, you may be able to see a sun-bathing lizard.

Fern Pool

A 10-minute walk from Fortescue falls, this natural pool surrounded by thick vegetation is a call to relax. You will see various varieties of birds, and maybe even bats and monitor lizards.

Handrail Pool and Weano Gorge

When you get to the bottom of the gorge, you walk through a landscape of red rocks. Depending on the season, you pass by several pools and particularly the large Handrail Pool.

Oxer Lookout & Junction Pool

This gorgeous view is worth a visit! You look at huge gorges and a natural pool, which can be virtually empty depending on the season.

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Mount Bruce

Mount Bruce or Punurrunha (name of the indigenous people) is the second highest mountain in Western Australia, with a height of 1,235 meters. It is located in Karijini National Park, just a few miles from the main road that runs through the park from east to west.

The 9km hike (up and down the mountain) is challenging but worth the trip. It takes about 5 hours.
The first part is pretty easy and not steep. On the right, you see the working Marandoo Iron Mine. On the left side, you see the red soil and dense vegetation of the hilly landscape.
The second part of the hike is more difficult due to the considerable incline. In some places you have to climb rocks. The steepest passage has a rope to hold on to. Once at the top, enjoy your reward: a 360-degree view of the surroundings!

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Tips for hiking Mount Bruce

At very high temperatures, it is strongly recommended to hike at sunrise (5-6 o’clock depending on the season). At this time of day, you are in the shade for most part of the hike and you can watch the sunrise behind the mountain. Take a lot of water and food. There is no water holes along the way. Of course, wear good hiking boots. If you want to enjoy this beautiful hike in the best possible way, wear a fly net!

What to do in 2 days in Karijini National Park?

If the Karijini National Park is a simple stage in your road trip, we advise you to stay at least 2 days and 1 night in the park.
So as not to miss any of the best hikes and the most beautiful gorges, we have listed the unmissable ones for you.

Day 1, West part of the park:

  • Hancock Gorge to Kermits Pool
  • Joffre-Gorge
  • Spider Walk
  • Weno Gorge to Handrail Pool

Day 2, East part of the park:

  • Fortescue Falls & Fern Pool
  • Circular Pool

Accommodation guide in Karijini National Park

You can either stay in the park or nearby.

In the park there are two campsites on the east side next to Circular Pool, Dales Gorge, Fern Pool, and Fortescue Falls. The main campsite is Dales Campground Karijini. There are large sites, dry toilets (handicapped disability-friendly), shade, and picnic tables. The second campsite “Dales Gorge Overflow Camping” is only open if the first one is full. This is a transition campsite where you can stay for 24 hours only. Camping in the park costs 10 AUD per person per night. You leave cash in a designated box at the entrance of the campsite.

On the west side of the park, you can stay at the Karijini Eco Retreat, if your budget allows it. This campsite has toilets, showers, drinking water, shade, tables, garbage bins, barbecues and a kitchenette. There’s something for everyone, from a simple, unpowered site for 20 AUD per person to a deluxe Glamping tent for over 300 AUD per night. You can find all the information on this website and book online at www.karijiniecoretreat.com.au

If you don’t want to pay for a campsite in the park, you will surely find a free spot on the side of the road near the two entrances. These locations are listed on the Wikicamp app (AUD 7.99).

Practical Information

Entrance Fees

Park: 15 AUD per day and per vehicle.

Visitor Centre

To the east of the park, on Banyjima road, there is a first visitor center with everything you need: information, brochures, souvenirs…
To the west of the park, in the town of Tom Price, there is another visitor center, which also has the same quality of services and information.
To not miss anything during your visit, we advise you to stop there!

Park Map as PDF

Hiking Trails
Park brochure as PDF

Rent a campervan or 4x4

Rent a car in Perth, Broome or Darwin. At Motorhome Republic you can compare offers.

Climate

Protect yourself from the heat, the sun … and the flies: hat, long sleeves, and a fly net.
In bad weather, there can be heavy rains, thunderstorms or cyclones in Karijini. Check the weather forecast before embarking on your adventure.

Drinking Water in the Park

Two drinking water reservoirs are located in the park. However, don’t count on it too much. It often happens that they are empty, or taken over by the bees which turn around by the hundred. Remember to plan your water stocks!

Tips for the Trip

Take enough drinking water for the number of people and the duration of the trip.
Get enough petrol for the park, and a little more to be safe. It is best to refill one or two jerrycans in a big city before hitting the road.
The roads are sometimes very bad and almost impossible to cross without 4×4, depending on the weather conditions. Inform yourself about the condition of the roads before you go.
There is practically no mobile network in the park. Get a hiking map and various brochures at the visitors centre.
Enjoy and respect the beauty of Karijini. Take your rubbish with you, as there are only a few garbage cans in the park!
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