Personally, we think Karijini National Park is one of Western Australia’s most breathtaking destinations. We love the ocean, but wow, this place is something special. It offers dramatic gorges, stunning waterfalls, and epic hiking trails. Whether you’re an adventurous hiker, a family with kids, or just looking to immerse yourself in nature, Karijini has something for everyone. Here’s everything you need to know before you go!
Driving Routes to Karijini National Park
Most people will make their way to Karijini National Park after Exmouth, Port Headland / Karratha via Millstream Chichester National Park, or Marble Bar. There are multiple route options depending on your vehicle type and preference for sealed or unsealed roads. Make sure you have the correct permits to drive on private roads owned by the mines. The permits are free; it’s easy to get these online and they take about 15 minutes with a simple multiple-choice exam at the end.
Which Route is Best for You?
- 2WD: Take the fully sealed routes via Tom Price (from Exmouth) or via Newman (from Marble Bar)
- 4WD: Use unsealed shortcuts via Wittenoom Road (Exmouth), Roebourne-Wittenoom Road (Millstream), or Skull Springs Road (Marble Bar) for a quicker, more adventurous drive
We were originally going to head to Karijini NP after Exmouth, but we heard a few of the hikes were closed due to roadworks. We had hoped that by heading to Karratha first and spending some time there as well as in Millstream NP, the roadworks would be finished – unfortunately that was not the case.
Our route out took us past Marble Bar, where we stopped the night at Doolena Gorge, which we all LOVED and wished we could have stayed longer at.
Where to Stay in Karijini
There are several accommodation options in and around Karijini National Park, ranging from free camps to well-equipped eco-retreats.
Campgrounds & Free Camps
- Dales Campground (National Park Campground) – Basic facilities with toilets, no showers. We stayed here for 2 nights purely for easy access to Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls, and Fern Pool.
- Karijini Eco Retreat – Offers unpowered and powered campsites. The place to stay if you don’t have a van and are looking for eco tents for a more comfortable stay. We stayed here for easy access to Joffre Gorge.
- Free Camps (Find on Wiki Camps) – Several options outside the park boundaries, such as Mount Bruce Bush Camp, Albert Tognolini Rest Area and Buddhas Overnighter at the turn off to Hamersley Gorge Campground. We stayed at Buddhas Overnighter, and it was spectacular.
- Tom Price Accommodation – If you prefer staying in town, Tom Price has caravan parks, motels, and lodges, making it a good base for day trips into the park.
Karijini Tourist Information Centre
This was one of the best visitor centres that we visited on our trip. It was full of history and interactive displays. The staff are super helpful, and you can get maps and the status on the roads and walks within the park. Don’t forget to ask about the ‘Junior Ranger Program’. It’s a fabulous initiative run by the staff to engage kids in learning about the park. It includes an activity booklet to complete within the centre, a pledge and kids can earn their own Junior Ranger patch. The program got our kids to engage in every walk we completed.
Hikes in Karijini
Karijini was a top 5 bucket list place for us when we were loosely planning our trip, and I think it should be on yours too. After reading some other blogs, we were nervous about taking the boys but decided we would just see how we went, and we are so glad we did. I truly believe Karijini is home to some of the best short hikes in Australia.
I must add that our family enjoys hiking and we were 6 months into our trip at this stage, so we knew the boys’ limits. They much prefer more challenging walks than the flat ‘easy’ ones. They loved all the walks we did, with no complaints.
We would recommend joggers or hiking boots on all the hikes, however I broke my toe in Exmouth. I completed all the walks in Birkenstocks—not my first choice of footwear for hikes, that’s for sure, but we made it work.
- Dales Gorge Walk – A family-friendly hike leading to Fortescue Falls and the refreshing Fern Pool. Suitable for kids who can manage uneven terrain. We opted to do the loop walk, which we would recommend. It’s just over 5km and start by following the rim of Dales gorge to the 3 ways and circular pool lookout and then heads down into the gorge. There can be loose rock so take your time. Make your way to Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool, before heading back up the stairs to the carpark. If the longer walk is not for you, you can head straight down to Fern Pool in less than 500m. Don’t hang around too long when getting into Fern Pool; the fish like to nip your feet. Make sure to explore behind the waterfall.
- Joffre Gorge Lookout – A short walk with spectacular views of the Joffre waterfall and amphitheatre, the lookout is nice, but the real adventure is making your way into the gorge. Head down the 5 steel ladders and make your way into the natural amphitheatre with an amazing natural waterfall. I’ve heard that if you turn left at the bottom of the staircases, you can also head into the gorge.
- Oxers Lookout – One of the best vantage points in the park, offering a view over four merging gorges. Unfortunately, the roads were closed so we are yet to see the lookout.
- Hamersley Gorge – A must-see with its stunning rock formations and serene swimming holes. Getting to the gorge itself is pretty easy and is only about 1km, but if you want to make your way to the spa pool, you either have to swim or navigate some tricky rocks. I should also mention here that it is slippery getting in and out of the spa pool, so tread carefully. If you want to swim and float down the gorge itself, I’d recommend bringing a pool noodle.
- Hancock Gorge & Kermit’s Pool – A Class 5 trail requiring scrambling, wading through water, and the famous ‘Spider Walk’. People say it’s not suitable for young kids and we haven’t made it yet as there was roadworks while we were in the park which made it inaccessible, however we know of travel families who have conquered the walk. We would have done it with our boys too. One for the bucket list for our next visit.
- Weano Gorge & Handrail Pool – A mix of hiking and swimming through narrow rock passages. Again, this one was closed but can’t wait to get back to do this one.
What to do from Tom Price
If you have a dog, staying at one of the free camps outside the park, or in Tom Price, will be your best options. If you’re staying in Tom Price, you can still experience Karijini by doing day trips and you can visit some of the other local attractions too.
- Mount Nameless (Jarndunmunha) – For stunning views over Tom Price and the surrounding Pilbara landscape, take a 4WD drive up Mount Nameless. If you don’t have a 4WD, you can hike to the summit (6.5 km return). The views at sunrise or sunset are spectacular!
- Tom Price Mine Tours – Tom Price is a mining town, and the Rio Tinto Mine Tour is a unique way to see one of the world’s largest open-cut iron ore mines. You’ll learn about the mining process and see massive trucks and equipment in action. Tours usually run from the Tom Price Visitor Centre.
- Swim or Picnic at Kings Lake – A small but peaceful spot just outside town, Kings Lake is great for a relaxed afternoon picnic. It’s a nice break from the red dirt and rugged terrain of the Pilbara.
- Local Events & Markets –Tom Price hosts markets and community events, so check with the visitor centre for what’s on during your visit.
Must know before you go
Karijini is a remote destination, so it’s important to be prepared.
- Fuel– There is no fuel inside Karijini. Fill up at Tom Price or Auski Roadhouse. Fill a jerry if you have one. Karijini is a big NP and if you’re driving between the walks over a few days, your tank will deplete quickly.
- Water – There is no drinking water readily available in the national park. You can fill up a drink bottle at the eco lodge reception area, but all other water sources are not potable. Drinking from gorges and streams should be avoided due to the risk of contamination. Make sure you have plenty of water for your trip prior to entering the park.
- Food– There are no shops in the park, so bring all necessary food and supplies for your entire stay in the park.
- Toiletries & Waste Disposal – There is a dump point that can be found at Dales Campground. There is no water to rinse, so it can get gross. I’d advise to take some grey water for rinsing. There are toilets at the Karijini Tourist Information Centre. Tom Price and Auski also have dump points.
- First Aid Kit – A must for any trip, but especially important if you are hiking in places that can be isolated. Help can be far away in an emergency, be prepared. Our favourite first aid kits are made by Survival. Use the code FAMILYFIND at the checkout for a discount.
- Know Your Limits – Some hikes involve rock scrambling, deep water, and slippery surfaces. Assess your children’s abilities before tackling difficult trails, or know when to say, ‘let’s turn back’.
Where's Next?
If your heading to Exmouth, Bullarra Station to the east or maybe north to Broome? Check out some of our recent blogs to help with your planning.
We hope you have the most magical time.
Oh my goodness, Sam and Geo! So much EXCELLENT and helpful information in this blog.
Thank you so much for your time and effort. Absolutely brilliant and definitely enticing us to get up to Karijini and explore the North West sooner rather than later!
You guys might like to contact Australian Traveller magazine and maybe write travel blogs for them as you certainly leave no stone unturned when you visit destinations and your travel blogs are always honest, helpful and informative xxx
Thanks heaps Sam and Geo from Tony and Alex – the grey nomads!