Our recent trip to Karijini National Park was an unforgettable family adventure. With our 6 and 8-year-old in tow, we explored this stunning wilderness and its breathtaking gorges. In this itinerary, we’ll guide you through our journey, sharing valuable tips and insights for your own Karijini experience.
Quick Tips:
- Bring pool noodles for the kids to float
- Wear wetsuits – the water was chilly!!
- Bring a packed lunch and lots of water and some snacks for the walks
- Wear water shoes
- Wear your swimmers so it’s easy to jump in and out when needed
Day 1: Tom Price Arrival
Our journey began at Tom Price, a town nestled on the doorstep of Karijini National Park. Before venturing into the park, it’s essential to stock up on supplies. Tom Price boasts an excellent Coles supermarket, making it convenient to gather groceries. You can also grab some fresh bread from Brumby’s. Don’t forget to visit the visitor’s center, conveniently located near Coles, for park information. We opted to stay at Tiger Eye free camp, just a short 10-minute drive from town. Alternatively, you can choose to stay at Tom Price Caravan Park.
Day 2: Hamersley Gorge Exploration
On the second day, we set out to explore the captivating Hamersley Gorge. The journey to Hamersley Gorge, approximately 50 minutes from Tom Price, involves an unsealed road with rocky terrain. Unfortunately, we encountered a flat tire along the way, so be prepared for the rough road. Hamersley Gorge offers a short walk to reach the gorge itself, followed by a challenging rock climb and a ladder to access the spa pool. While the water can be chilly, it’s a refreshing experience. For children, having floaties and water shoes is a great idea.
There’s also a 4WD track that leads up to Mt Nameless, which offers a stunning panoramic view. However, we had to skip this due to our tire issues.
Day 3: Into Karijini and Dales Gorge
After setting up camp within Karijini, we were ready to dive into the park’s natural wonders. We stayed at the overflow campground for two nights, as Dales Gorge was fully booked. Reservations for the overflow campground must be made online. This campground offers drop toilets, waste bins, and a water tank for your convenience.
Visit the Karijini Visitors Centre for an abundance of historical information and friendly staff who can even help you create an itinerary if desired. They also provide activity booklets for kids and junior ranger badges.
Dales Gorge: From Fortescue Falls carpark, a short walk leads to Fortescue Falls, and a bit further, you’ll find Fern Pool, both offering beautiful swimming spots. To venture on a longer hike, park at the Fortescue Falls lookout and follow the track to the left. This path leads to the Three Ways Lookout, which descends into the gorge via steep rock steps. Walking back through the gorge includes rock hopping and some water crossings. It’s advisable to wear sneakers for this long walk rather than water shoes. This extended hike takes approximately 2 hours and is well worth the effort. At the end, enjoy the climb up the rock wall and a walk to Fern Pool for a refreshing swim.
Day 4: Weano and Hancock Gorge Adventure
Heading to Weano and Hancock Gorge, we encountered an hour and fifteen-minute journey over sealed roads from Dales Gorge or a 40-minute drive over corrugated 4WD tracks.
Weano Gorge: This class 5 trail involves a steep descent down rock stairs to enter the gorge. It requires climbing over rocks and navigating gorge walls, with an optional swim through Handrail Pool at the end. The water can be quite chilly. This hike took us about 1.5 hours.
We had our lunch at the picnic tables in the carpark before heading to Hancock Gorge.
Hancock Gorge: Our favorite of the gorges, Hancock offers a more challenging and adventurous experience. This class 5 trail entails a steep descent down rocky stairs, followed by stair ladders to reach the bottom. The adventure continues with rock hopping, climbing, and wall scaling. About halfway, you’ll encounter a section with waist-deep water. You can either swim or follow markers to scale the wall. Afterward, you’ll navigate a narrow section with flowing water, so watch out for slippery rocks. This section leads to Kermit’s Pool, featuring icy cold water. You have the option to swim or simply enjoy the view.
While other gorges, such as Knox, Joffre, and Kalamina, exist within Karijini, we opted to explore four during our visit.
Karijini National Park is a magnificent destination, and we hope our family adventure inspires your own. Feel free to ask any questions or share your own experiences; we’re here to help! 💦🪨🌄🚗🏞👨👩👧👧