Karijini National Park is one of the most rugged, adventurous and unique national parks in Western Australia, and maybe even Australia. In this complete guide to Karijini National Park, I share all you need to know about visiting this remote natural wonder.
I’ve also included a suggested three day Karijini itinerary that allows you to explore the main sights and hikes of the park.
How To Get to Karijini
Karijini is located in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia’s North West region. It spreads across 627,000 hectares, making it Western Australia’s second largest national park.
The closest town is Tom Price, which is about a 45-minute drive away. There are two options of how to get to Karijini National Park; drive or fly.
Drive to Karijini
The Perth to Karijini road trip will take about 14 hours if driving directly via the inland highway. Many visitors also visit Karijini from Exmouth. Exmouth to Karijini is a 6-hour drive on sealed roads.
Driving Tip: Make sure you take the sealed road via Paraburdoo into Karijini as the unsealed road is notorious for flat tyres (and isn’t that much quicker anyway!).
If time permits I recommend a route that looks like:
- Perth to Karijini
- Karijini to Exmouth
- Exmouth to Perth along the Coral Coast
This route (or in the reverse direction) allows you to explore the highlights of Australia’s Coral Coast, plus visit Karijini, one of Western Australia’s best national parks.
If you are short on time, then the inland route direct from Perth to Karijini will be quickest (via the towns of Cue/Meekathara along the Great Northern Highway).
Fly to Karijini
Visitors to Karijini can also fly from Perth to Paraburdoo. In Paraburdoo, a small mining town, you’ll need to hire a car and then drive another 1.5 hours to reach Karijini.
In short: getting to Karijini isn’t easy, but trust me, it is worth it!
Perth to Karijini National Park Road Trip
Most people will want to break up the long drive from Perth to Karijini (or vice versa) with at least a 1-night stopover.
These are the main places to stop in between Perth and Karijini:
- Accommodation (basic lodging): Cue Tourist Park, Nallan Station Stay
- Free Camps: Free camps between Perth and Karijini include Mt Robinson, Lake Nallan, Cue and Peace Gorge
- Paid camping and Caravan Parks: Nallan Station, Mt Magnet Caravan Park, Newman Caravan Park and Karalundi Caravan Park.
On our way from Karijini to Perth, we spent one night at Cue Tourist Park. The accommodation was basic, but did the job for one night. We also had a classic country town dinner at the pub in Cue.
Near Cue, you can visit Walga Rock which is a site of Aboriginal cultural significance. On the way, you could also stop at Big Bell Ghost Town for a change in scenery.
Do You Need a 4WD in Karijini National Park?
Are the roads sealed in Karijini? The road into the Karijini Visitors Centre and Dales Gorge is sealed, as is most of the way into Karijini Eco Retreat. However the rest of the roads in Karijini are unsealed, but regularly graded.
You do not need a 4WD to get around in Karijini National Park.
During our visit in 2021, I drove my 2WD SUV and had no issues driving on the unsealed roads within Karijini. Take it slowly and you should be fine if you drive to the conditions. We saw many 2WD campervans in the park during our time there, as well as smaller cars than our SUV.
A 4WD may offer more comfort when driving over the corrugated roads but 2WD is sufficient.
Tip: Do not take the unsealed road between Eco Retreat and the Visitor Centre (Banjima Dr). This road requires a high clearance 4WD as the track is in bad condition.
Instead, go back out onto the sealed road Karijini Drive and go this way instead. It’s slightly longer but takes the same amount of time as navigating the badly corrugated unsealed road on Banjima Drive.
You can call the Visitors Centre beforehand to double check the conditions of the road, or check in at Tom Price Visitor Centre before heading into the park.
How Long to Spend at Karijini
I would recommend spending 4 days in Karijini to make sure you can explore most of the gorges. This schedule assumes you visit two gorges a day.
You can spend longer if you would like to explore at a slower pace, or only visit one gorge a day.
At a minimum, you need 3 nights to see the main gorges and take in the sights of Karijini.
Best Time to Visit Karijini
The best time of the year to visit Karijini National Park is between April and October. During these months the weather is ideal, with warm days and lower chance of rain.
Visiting at the end of May we had amazing weather, with maximum temperatures of high 20 degree Celsius during the day, with minimum temperatures of around 8 degrees at night.
Due to the desert climate the nights can get quite cold, particularly in the middle of winter around July.
Can You Visit Karijini in the Summer Months?
Visiting Karijini in December and January over summer is not recommended. Besides the extreme heat, summer is also the rainy season.
Due to the high risk of flash flooding in the gorges you cannot go in the gorges when it’s raining, and the chance of road closures are high.
During this period, the Karijini Visitor Centre is closed from early December to February each year and services are limited at Karijini Eco Retreat.
Where to Stay in Karijini
Note: This is a short summary from my detailed guide of Where to Stay in Karijini. See this guide for further information.
The most convenient place to stay in Karijini is one of the two campsites within the park. Camping in Karijini National Park is available at Karijini Eco Retreat and Dales Campground.
You can also stay in the nearby town of Tom Price. You can then drive from Tom Price to Karijini each day (around 1 hour 15 minutes).
Note that park entry fees apply on top of Karijini camping fees. Tickets are available to buy upon entry to the park, or you can purchase a park pass beforehand.
There are also some free camps on WikiCamps found outside the park. These free camps have minimal to none facilities so won’t be suitable for non-self contained campers.
Camping at Dales
This large campground is located on the eastern side of the park and is a great spot to explore Dales Gorge. You need to book online through DPAW before visiting, this popular campground is usually fully booked. Bookings open 180 days in advance.
There is Overflow Camping nearby if the main campground is full – this also requires an online booking in advance. There is a 2-night maximum stay in the overflow.
Dales costs $15 per adult per night (2024 pricing).
This cheaper option (compared to the Eco Retreat) has minimal facilities, basically bush toilets and barbecues. No potable water or bins – take your water in with you and take your rubbish out. There are no showers at Dales, but there is at the Eco Retreat.
Dales is the closest campground to Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool (within walking distance).
Camping at Karijini Eco Retreat
Another option for camping at a higher cost but with more facilities is to stay at the Karijini Eco Resort. Located on the west side of the park closest to Joffre Gorge, the Eco Retreat is privately run.
There is even an outback style restaurant here, open for breakfast and dinners.
Dinner reservations are essential, so make sure to book in advance! If dinner reservations are full, check to see if they are doing a burger night which you can enjoy casually out the front of the restaurant with no reservation required, or take-away back to your campsite.
Bookings for campsites are available online. Unpowered campsites start from $22 per adult per night. This includes includes access to shared bathroom facilities including solar hot water showers and bush kitchen (including barbecue).
For those wanting a unique experience, glamping is available at Karijini Eco Retreat in Deluxe Eco Tents. These eco tents include a private bathroom with a hot shower and 12V power supply.
These kinds of luxuries don’t come cheap though. We paid about $400 a night (including breakfast) in May 2021…. but it was worth every penny when coming back to our tent to relax after a long, hot day of exploring!
Check prices and availability here
Staying at Tom Price
Tom Price is the closest town to Karijini. You could stay outside Karijini National Park at Tom Price and drive into the park each day. I stayed at the Tom Price Tourist Park, which has a range of camping sites and chalets.
I stayed in an A0frame chalet which came equipped with a full kitchen. Tom Price Tourist Park and the Karijini Eco Retreat glamping tents are the only accommodation available near the Park.
Check prices and availability here
Heading further north to Broome after your visit to Karijini? Check out the top beaches in Broome.
Tips on Visiting Karijini National Park
Bring Everything You Need into Karijini With You
There are very minimal facilities and supplies within the park, other than the small shop and restaurant at Karijini Eco Retreat. You will need to bring all food and water with you.
There are also no fuel supplies within the park. The closest fuel stops are in Tom Price (about 1 hour from the Eco Retreat) and Auski Tourist Village (about 1 hour from Dales Campground). Make sure to fuel up before entering the park.
There are also no rubbish bins within the park, so pack rubbish bags so you can take all your rubbish out with you.
Check Which Gorges are Open
It is worthwhile to check which Karijini gorges are closed beforehand. When we visited in May 2021, several of the gorges were closed temporarily due to incidents in the park.
Unfortunately, there was a death at Handrail Pool a few weeks before we visited and so this part of the gorge is closed for the foreseeable future.
2023 update: Handrail pool is open after additional rails were installed.
Maintenance can also close gorges and lookouts, which was the case when we visited. Circular Pool is also permanently closed due to asbestos risk in the area.
Plan ahead and check for any gorge closures in Karijini on the DBCA website. The Eco Retreat should also have a sign at reception outlining closures.
Phone Reception within Karijini
Optus is the only teleco provider that has reception in Karijini. Usually Telstra has the broadest coverage, but the Telstra signal did not cover inside Karijini during our trip except for on the west side near Hamersley Gorge.
Telstra reception is available in Tom Price, but not inside Karijini National Park.
Bring Warm Clothes
Whilst it is usually hot during the day, due to the desert climate it can get very cold at night! In the middle of winter, it can even get to 0 degrees Celsius (or lower).
Things to Do in Karijini National Park
What to do in Karijini? Most of your time in Karijini will be spent exploring the incredible gorges!
For all you need to know about hiking in the Karijini gorges, read my detailed guide here
Joffre Gorge
One of my favourite gorges! This gorge can be accessed on foot for those staying at Eco Retreat or there is a car park on the other side with a lookout.
The first part of this hike is Class 4 but is flat and easy until you reach the rocks heading down into the gorge. Until recently, to get down into the gorge and see the falls was classified Class 5.
Down into the gorge you will follow the river stream to the right until you come to the amphitheatre at the base of the falls.
Hancock Gorge
Located in the Weano Recreation area next to Weano Gorge, Hancock Gorge is one of the more adventurous and popular gorges in the park. As you descend into the gorge, you follow along the gorge which twists and turns.
There are sections where you need to scramble along the gorge wall and sections of water which can be up to waist deep.
The final part on the approach to the Instagrammable Kermit’s Pool is called the Spider Walk, as people choose to spider along the narrow gorge instead of walking in the running flow of water.
Once you reach the beautiful but freezing waters of Kermit’s Pool, you turn around and go back the way you came.
Weano Gorge
After doing Hancock Gorge, this one was a breeze!
A much gentler walk, but incredibly scenic as you can do a full loop instead of a one way trail through what is called Upper Weano.
At one end, you will also find the path from Lower Weano Gorge into Handrail Pool. At my time of visiting, Handrail Pool was closed due to an unfortunate death here. It is now reopened, take extra care when navigating this spot.
Oxer Lookout and Junction Pool Lookout
Located in the Weano Recreation area, you can walk over to these lookouts or drive from the main carpark to a smaller car park. They offer stunning views over the gorges.
Knox Gorge
One of the more underrated gorges in my opinion is Knox Gorge… this gorge took my breath away it was so stunning. A one way trail takes you through deep gorges and over dark pools of water.
At the end of the trail you will find a stunning gap through the gorges which shows the deep rich red colour of the surrounding rock.
It is a very steep and rocky descent into the gorge, but once in the gorge the hike isn’t too tough.
Kalamina Gorge
The one gorge I ran out of time to do! I’ve read that this gorge is a great option for those wanting a gentler hike or a swimming hole to cool off in.
A short walk in takes you to a small pool, with the option to continue onwards deeper into the gorge before the trail ends at Rock Arch Pool.
Dales Gorge
This popular gorge is within walking distance to Dales Campground.
You can start from the Circular Pool lookout end and descend into the gorge for a scenic walk along the waterway, stepping over stones and traversing some small rock ledges.
Halfway along, you’ll see the tree leaning over the water which you can (carefully) climb onto.
The real drawcard of this gorge lies at the end, where you will come across Fortescue Falls.
Fortescue Falls & Fern Pool (Dales Gorge)
Fortescue Falls is the parks biggest and permanent waterfall.
Water flows over the 20m high tiered cliff into the pool below. You can access this through walking through Dales Gorge, or from the carpark located above the falls, with a long set of steps descending into the gorge.
If you walk 5 minutes further west from the falls, you will come across the tranquil Fern Pool.
Fern Pool is surrounded with thick, lush ferns. You’ll find a small platform with a ladder leading into the pool of water, with a small waterfall on the other side of the pool. You can swim across and climb up onto the rock ledge underneath the falls.
This place has a lot of cultural significance for the local indigenous peoples. In recognition of that, the signs ask that people respect the place with no diving into the water or shouting when visiting this tranquil spot.
Circular Pool lookout
Circular Pool has been closed for a couple of years now due to rockfalls which exposed the naturally occurring asbestos.
However visitors can still admire this spot from above at the lookout located down the end of Dales Gorge.
Mount Bruce
Also known by the Aboriginal name, Punurrunha. Mount Bruce takes the place for Western Australia’s second tallest peak – taking on Bluff Knoll for size!
This challenging hike can take between 5-6 hours, so it is recommended to go early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day.
There are three different length trails you can choose to take – when visiting later in the afternoon we did the shorter Honey Hakea track, which is 4.6kms return.
We will be back to tackle the full 9 kilometre track to the summit next time!
Whilst technically outside of Karijini National Park, it is worth visiting if you have time for the stunning 360 views of the surrounding landscapes, and views over the operational iron ore mine nearby.
Hamersley Gorge
Hamersley Gorge is one of the furthest away gorges, located on the west side of the park.
It requires a long drive along an unsealed road, but what waits at the end is worth it! It is about 1.5 hours drive from Dales Campground.
Home to the famous “Spa Pool,” Hamersley Gorge also has some stunning smaller falls and large swimming holes. The geology of this gorge is also remarkable with wavy bands of rock caused by a millennia of forces.
Best Gorges in Karijini
Best Gorges in Karijini for Families
The best gorges for families are Hamersley Gorge, Kalamina Gorge and Dales Gorge area due to the great swimming holes. Take a pool noodle for the kids!
Best Gorges for Adventure Lovers
The most adventurous hikes in Karijini would be Knox Gorge, Hancock Gorge and Joffre Gorge.
Most Stunning Gorges in Karijini
The most stunning and picturesque gorges in Karijini are Hancock Gorge & Kermit’s Pool, Hamersley Gorge & Spa Pool, Knox Gorge and Fern Pool (Dales).
Suggested 3 Day Itinerary for Karijini
This mirrors our Karijini National Park itinerary from our trip in 2021.
Choosing to spend the first night in Tom Price reduced our driving time (coming from Exmouth) and allowed us to fuel up and stock up on groceries for the coming days.
Day 0: Prepare for your visit at Tom Price
Arriving into Tom Price that afternoon, use the opportunity to visit the Visitors Centres and grab a park map. Fill up on fuel and grab groceries at the Coles in town.
Stay overnight at the Tom Price Tourist Park (camp sites and chalets available).
Day 1: Hamersley Gorge, Joffre Gorge and Knox Gorge
Wake up early to beat the crowds and head to Hamersley Gorge. After spending a few hours here, drive into the Park to either Karijini Eco Retreat or Dales Campground.
You should be able to fit in one or two gorges in the afternoon. We visited Joffre Gorge and Knox Gorge as they are located close to one another, and to the Eco Retreat where we were staying. Late afternoon is a great time to visit Knox Gorge due to the light down in the gorge.
If you are staying at Eco Retreat, enjoy sunset drinks at Joffre Lookout and walk back to camp
Day 2: Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls & Fern Pool
Fortescue Falls and Fern Pools are popular spots, so we made sure to visit them early in the morning, arriving by 9am if you’d like the chance to enjoy these to yourselves.
After spending a few hours at the falls and Fern Pool, start the hike at the bottom of Fortescue Falls along Dales Gorge. You can then walk along back at the top of the gorge to your car at the Fortescue Falls car park, stopping at Circular Pool Lookout on your way.
Optional: After spending most of the day at Dales, on our way back to Eco Retreat we did the shorter hike at Mt Bruce. Allow another full day to do the full hike to the summit.
Head back to camp at Karijini for the night.
Day 3: Hancock Gorge & Weano Gorge
Spend the day spider climbing the walls of Hancock Gorge and jumping into the chilly Kermit’s Pool (if you dare!).
This gorge you will get wet on the hike, so make sure you are prepared for this. Spend the afternoon warming up while you do the gentler Weano Gorge hike, including Handrail Pool if it is open.
Make sure to walk or drive over to the Oxer Lookout and Junction Pool Lookouts before leaving the Weano area.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up this Complete Guide to Karijini National Park. A trip to Karijini is an adventurous one, and can be challenging due to the remoteness of the Park. However, it is one of the best National Parks in Australia and is worth the challenges it takes to explore it.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about this Karijini Guide, and happy exploring in Karijini NP!
Continue Reading:
- Karijini Accommodation Guide
- Karijini Gorges: Guide to the Best Hikes
- Perth to Exmouth: The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary
Karijini National Park Guide FAQs
Is Karijini National Park 2WD accessible?
Karijini National Park is 2WD accessible. Majority of the roads leading to the gorges in Karijini are unsealed, but visiting with a 2WD is possible if you drive slowly and to conditions. The road leading to Karijini Eco Retreat is sealed, except for the last ~3 km.
What is the best time of year to visit Karijini?
The best time of the year to visit Karijini is between May and October. During these months, temperatures are milder and there is the lowest chance of rain.
What is the best month to visit Karijini?
The shoulder seasons of May/June and September/October are the best times to explore Karijini based on my experience, as you avoid the school holiday rush and avoid the colder nights in the middle of winter.
How many days do you need in Karijini?
You need at least 3 full days to explore Karijini.
Where do you stop between Perth and Karijini?
Places to stop along the way between Perth and Karijini include Cue, Nallan Station Stay, Mt Magnet and Meekatharra.
What is the closest airport to Karijini?
The closest airport to Karijini is Paraburdoo Airport. QANTAS flies daily to Paraburdoo.
Wow Tess thank-you😘 this information is fantastic! Because of the lockdowns we have left our bookings very late thanks to Covid. We flying from Vic and can’t wait to explore this area and the WA coast from Perth to Exmouth. Hiring a 4WD from Perth…
Appreciate any advice👍🏼
Should we also hire a tent/swag???
Totally inexperienced with full on outback camping!
Almost grey nomads, but not retired yet!! so it’s a 4 wk holiday break for my partner and me!!
Dianne
Hi Dianne, you are most welcome! You will have such a great trip 🙂 I’ve got a detailed guide on Perth to Exmouth road trip that might be useful as well. Last year we did Perth-Exmouth-Karijini-Perth. We didn’t camp but stayed in accommodation along the way – depends on your personal preferences! Check out some of the stations along the way too for a different experience – Wooramel and Bullara Station to name a few.
Hey Tess, would love to see your itinerary from last year as that is exactly what we plan to do. We will hopefully have 4 weeks. How long did you go for? We fly into Perth on May 12, and plan to head home June 11. I’m so excited, but super busy at work and really need to lock in a few places to stay. We have Coral bay and Exmouth booked as we were told they are the most difficult to get into.
Can’t wait to see what you guys did and any tips you can offer!
Dianne
Hi Dianne, that’s awesome – you’ll have a great trip! Beautiful time of the year to visit too. Here’s my full itinerary for our Perth-Exmouth-Karijini-Perth road – hope this helps! https://tessomewhere.com/perth-to-exmouth-road-trip-itinerary/
Hi
We are going to the eco resort for two nights
Which gorges would you recommend as I know we won’t have time to do all
Thanks
Hi and thank you for putting the post together, very helpful.
I am planning to visit Karijini NP in mid to late February 2023 and wondered if the weather will still be the same as December/January?
Thanks.
Hi John,
February is still the wet season, so I’d expect it to be hot and humid weather with a high chance of rain.
Cheers, Tess
Hi! Did you finally get to go in summer? I’m planning to go there feb 2024 but would like to know if it was worth it or too much of a hassle with weather, road conditions and closures.
Hi Tess
Just windering if we hire a 2wd and stay at Ecco retreat How do you get yo all the gorges as we cant take hire car on unsealed roads Any advise appreciated.
Hi Collette,
Double check with your car hire provider if you can take the car into Karijini National Park – only they can advise based on their T&Cs! Get it in writing if possible. If you are hiring it in Paraburdoo I would have thought it would be fine to take into the National Park.
All the best,
Tess
Hi! Thanks so much for this – am currently booking based on this page and the Perth to Exmouth trip page too. We are in a 2WD however it looks like the Eco camp site does 4WD shuttles to some of the gorges! So we are doing that rather than risking the 2WD, which we are allowed to drive on sealed roads and unsealed leading to campsites only. So excited – can’t thank you enough. Was originally going to do Perth to Exmouth return on the same road but this is a much much better idea.
That’s great! So glad to hear the guides have been useful… Safe travels and happy exploring! You’ll have a blast!
Hi just wondering if there’s any powered sites available for 8/4/23-14/4/23 as my wife needs a cpap machine to sleep
Hi Darren,
This isn’t an accommodation booking website, you will need to enquire with the business directly.
Happy travels!
Tess
Hi Tess,
This was all so informative! Thank you! My time is limited so I’m considering flying to Karijini National Park from Perth. Are there cars for hire there so I can get around to seeing all the gorges? Also- if I do fly to Karijini, are there ways to get to Exmouth?
Hi Karn,
If flying, you’ll fly into Paraburdoo Airport and pick up a hire car from there.
I’m not aware of any transfers between Karijini and Exmouth, so would suggest looking into driving your hire car there if your hire car provider does one-way trips with a different drop-off location such as Exmouth.
Happy adventuring! Tess
Hi Tess … you have left out the best parts … the deeper parts 🙂 The class 6 restricted canyons that can be accessed by a qualified tour company like Spacechameleon Adventure Co 🙂 We head as deep and far as you can go past the no go signs … into the heart of Karijini, up to 135m down.
We slide into Knox gorge , abseil Weano Gorge, and via ferrata into Hancock Gorge … sometimes climbing back out too, paddle in inner tunes through the canyons up Red Gorge (only accessible with a tour and connects, Weano, Knox, Hancock and Joffre) and all the way up Joffre Gorge (6.5km of restricted canyon) to the Eco Retreat. We run single day adventures, as well multi day trips like; Yoga & Canyoning, Painting & Canyoning and Photography & Canyoning. Check out our website for details, dates and pricing.
Hi,
We are planning to get Karijina on 9th July to 13th from Perth for short time by 4×4 with camper. So can you pls give me any idea of itnernery for leaving perth on either 3rd or 4th July to Karijina via stopovers for a few days or overnight? Many thanks
Hi Nisha,
If you are driving directly between Perth>Karijini, here are the main places to stop:
Accommodation (basic lodging): Cue Tourist Park, Nallan Station Stay
Free Camps: Free camps between Perth and Karijini include Mt Robinson, Lake Nallan, Cue and Peace Gorge
Paid camping and Caravan Parks: Nallan Station, Mt Magnet Caravan Park, Newman Caravan Park and Karalundi Caravan Park.
The Perth to Karijini route via Exmouth will be a lot more scenic with more interesting places to stop along the way, but will take longer!