Australia's North West - Karijini National Park : DriveWA

Karijini National Park

Karijini is Western Australia’s second largest National Park. Located in the State’s North West, the National Park is an ideal getaway for those wanting to escape the usual hot spots, explore the Outback, and be able to travel around in a 2WD or 4WD.

Centred on the Hamersley Range, Karijini boasts rugged landscape, stunning gorges, and breathtaking waterfalls.

The Karijini Visitors Centre’s unique design is an attraction with in itself. Shaped as a goanna it represents the local Aboriginal culture and is also built to hold back fires.

Inside the Visitors Centre discover local history, dreamtime stories, and learn more about the wildlife and plants you will see in the Park.

There are some amazing gorges in the National Park and many of them have walk trails varying in length and difficulty.

Make sure you check out Weano Gorge and Dales Gorge. Hamersley Gorge is also worth a look. There are also a few walking trails along the top of the gorges which offer spectacular views, especially from Oxer Lookout.

The gorges are overwhelming. Karijini also boasts some spectacular Waterfalls and Pools; including Joffre Falls, Fortescue Falls, Circular Pools and Falls and Fern Pool.

Karijini National Park is abounding with flora and fauna. Keep your eyes out for red kangaroos, rock-wallabies, echidnas, dragons, dingoes, bats, and the rare pebble mouse.

You can pick up a guide book from the Visitor Centre for information on all the flora and fauna you will discover in the Park.

For a unique accommodation experience, put your self up in the Karijini Eco Retreat located in Karijini National Park. The retreat offers comfortable, luxurious eco tents contrasting the rugged outback setting. They offer an accommodation type for every budget; including campsites.

source: WesternAustralia.tv

Access to Karijini National Park can be from Tom Price, via Marandoo Road or from the east via Karijini Drive (off the Great Northern Highway).

If you are travelling from Dampier or Karratha you can travel through Millstream-Chichester National Park, on the Tom Price Railway Road. Please note that you will need a permit to travel along this road. You can obtain a permit from either the Karratha or Tom Price Visitors Centre.

Karijini Eco Retreat

An authentic Western Australian outback Experience! Ideally located in the depths of the breathtaking Karijini National Park, awaits the new and unique Karijini Eco Retreat - the first and only permanent up-market, luxury accommodation in the Park! Offering quality accommodation and facilities, this much anticipated development is now open and ready to welcome you to a new world of environmentally friendly, affordable accommodation with a touch of luxury and a taste of genuine mateship and hospitality in outback Western Australia! more

Dales Gorge

Dales Gorge is located on the east side of the park Karijini National Park and can be access via Dales Road. Here you will find tranquil sunken gardens, deep sedge-fringed pools, and permanently cascading waterfalls. There are a few walks here of varying difficulties. more

Fortescue Falls

Fortescue Falls offers magnificent views and the atmosphere of a tropical paradise. From the lookout you can embrace the captivating picturesque scenery this destination has to offer. more

Joffre, Knox and Red Gorges

In Joffre Gorge, one can truly appreciate the power of water shaping the landscape. The gorge hosts impressive waterfalls, deep pools and breath-taking views. Access to Joffre Gorge is via a gravel road but it is suitable for a 2WD vehicle. more

Karijini Visitor Centre

At the Karijini Visitors Centre the friendly staff can give you up to date information on any gorge, walk or road closures. Opened in June 2001, the design of the Karijini Visitor Centre building represents a goanna moving through the country and is symbolic to local Banyjima Aboriginal people. The tail represents their history, the head the future direction of the traditional owners, and Aboriginal Law is the centre. The high, weathered steel walls of the visitor centre mimic the sheet-sided gorges that are a feature of Karijini. more