Our Guide to Exploring Karijini National Park & Itinerary
Karijini, in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, is a rugged landscape of deep red gorges, hidden swimming holes, and breathtaking lookouts. It’s a true adventurer’s playground. We recognise and acknowledge Banjima, Innawongka and Eastern Guruma people as the traditional owners of Karijini National Park.
Located about 1,400 km north of Perth; 80 km from Tom Price. If you're travelling there by road, there is both sealed and unsealed access. While having a 4WD gives you the most freedom, a 2WD can reach many of the highlights. The closest towns are Tom Price (supplies, fuel).
The best time to visit, is April to October (cooler, dry season). When we visited, we predominantly stayed in the National Park, however there are other options that are a little more luxurious. Karijini Eco Retreat is a stunning spot, right near Joffre gorge, with safari tents, cabins, and a restaurant (and a good barista coffee!). There is also Tom Price Caravan Park – 80km drive roughly from the national park entry.
It's always a good idea to stop in at the visitor centre, to pay for park passes if needed, use facilities, see some local art and grab a map if needed. Some safety warnings we saw signed around the park reguarly, and that were reinforced by national parks staff included that;
- Blue asbestos is present in some Gorges.
- Stay back from cliff edges – they are about 100m high, often with loose rocks near the edge.
- Flash floods can occur – do not enter gorges if there is rain in the area. If it starts raining when you are in a gorge, leave immediately.
- The water in gorge pools can be extremely cold, especially between April and September; hypothermia can occur.
- During summer, temperatures frequently top 40°C. Drink and carry plenty of water at all times.
- Dingoes are common around Dales Campground. They may scavenge for food and can be aggressive. Do not feed dingoes, supervise children at all times.
You can check out more information and see current warnings at the Explore Parks Western Australia website, here.
Em proving it's cold after a dip in Fern pool 👇
Must-See Highlights
1. Dales Gorge
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Circular Pool – icy plunge pool with mossy walls.
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Fortescue Falls – the park’s only permanent waterfall.
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Fern Pool – a sacred spot, perfect for a swim - very chilly.
2. Weano & Hancock Gorges
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Handrail Pool (Weano) – scramble, climb, and wade your way to a stunning pool. We unfortunately were not able to visit Weano gorge, due to closure!
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Kermits Pool (Hancock) – reached via the famous “Spider Walk.” This one was so much fun! The colours through the rock are absolutely striking.
While these gorges are rated Class 5 – only for confident and fit hikers, we did see some very fit parent's hiking carrying their little babies, so this should be possible if you're well-prepared.
3. Joffre Gorge
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Natural amphitheatre of rock, with seasonal waterfall. Great short walk, though water can be stagnant, so be mindful swimming.
4. Kalamina Gorge
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Quieter, less challenging gorge with a permanent pool.
5. Mount Bruce (Punurrunha)
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WA’s second-highest peak. Full hike: 9 km return, with epic Pilbara views. We ran out of time for this hike, and wish we could have squeezed it in.
Tips for Adventurers
- Safety first: Karijini’s gorges are remote — carry plenty of water, sun protection, wear sturdy shoes, and check weather conditions.
- Always respect sacred sites: Many pools are culturally significant to the Traditional Owners. Always be mindful.
- Most of the hikes have varying lengths and difficulties, with some having short walks to lookouts as well as highly challenging hikes available in the same area. Something for everyone!
- Be prepared: Limited facilities in the park — bring fuel, food, and supplies. Don't forget rock shoes, and dry bags. We did, and had to hold our not waterproof backpack up as we swam!
- Phone reception: Very limited. Download offline maps before you go. Would also recommend downloading the offline version of Wiki Camps.
- 4WD tracks: Some gorges are accessed via unsealed roads.
- Swim only in designated pools like Fern Pool, Circular Pool, Handrail Pool, and Kermit's Pool. Water is very cold year-round — but is so refreshing after a dusty, steep hike!
Our Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Dales Recreation Area (Fortescue Falls, Circular Pool, Fern Pool)
Day 2: Hancock & Weano Gorges (Spider Walk, Handrail Pool)
Day 3: Starting early morning, Mount Bruce hike (beat the heat!)
Day 4: Kalamina Gorge, Joffre Gorge + then relax at camp or Eco Retreat
All in all, the ruggedness of Karijini really stuck with us. We'll be back in the years to come, that's for sure!
Finn & Em