Destinations, Western Australia

KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK in Western Australia

September 30, 2021

KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK

Western Australia’s second largest national park, Karijini, is like no other.

It is situated in the Pilbara Region, less than a 2h flight or about a 15h drive from Western Australia’s capital Perth. Kariniji National Park is famous for its flat valleys and massive mountains and breath-taking gorges.

When I think of Karijini, the classic image would be red soil, spinifex and gum trees. It is truly beautiful!

ACCOMODATION AND DINING

The best place to stay in the National Park is a Karijini Eco Resort which offers a spacious unpowered campsites for caravans or swags and  luxury deluxe eco tents.

Eco tents have amenities such as bathroom and electricity but alas have no locks, no heaters and no fridge (although there is an esky and you can buy ice at the reception). During the Australian winter, it gets very chill and taking warm clothes is essential.

Accommodation in the tents is priced between 300-400 AUD, while the campgrounds are about $20  a night. To spice up the financial side of the visit, the coffee at the pub is $7 a cup. However, it is certainly worth it considering the distinctive experience.

 

CONNECTIONS

There is hardly any connectivity at all. No Internet and no phone reception. However, in urgent situation you can use the computer or phone of the receptionist.

GORGES

Karijini National Park is famed for gorges. And they are truly wonderful.

The idea is that you do a hike which eventually takes you to the rock pool at the end of a gorge where you can have a swim. The level of hike differs from gorge to gorge, some of them require  fitness preparation, some have stairs or walking through water to get to the end or even ‘a spider walk’. However, all of the gorges offer an incredible level of adventure that won’t leave you indifferent. Water in the pools is freezing but is a great reward after a venturesome hike.

Some of the MUST-DO gorges are:

-Joffre Gorge

-Hancock Gorge with ‘a spider walk’ and Kermits Pool

-Weano Gorge with Handrail pool

-Kalamina Gorge

-Hamersley Gorge and its Spa pool

DAY SCHEDULE

I have decided to give an idea of how to plan a day when visiting Karijini National Park because I myself didn’t quite understand how it was all going to work.

So here it is:

  • Wake up and breakfast at the retreat
  • Hiking in the gorge
  • Lunch at a parking area next to the gorge / or back at the restaurant in the Karijini Eco Retreat
  • Visiting another gorge with a smith and hike
  • Dinner at the campsite or restaurant at the Eco Retreat and rest

I’d also like to add that I strongly recommend to book the restaurant for dinner prior to arrival as it gets very fool and you can run a chance to be left hungry.  The closest grocery shop would be an hour drive to Tom Price.

I hope this article was useful. For more videos and photos please follow my Instagram @travelizer

Love,

TRAVELIZER

xxx

PS!  HERE ARE A FEW ‘ROOM TOUR’ VIDEOS