Ask ten travelers which national park is the most beautiful in Australia, and chances are Karijini National Park will come up more than once. Honestly? I completely get why.
In the middle of the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia is a landscape that's nothing like what most people expect from Australia. Not endless sandy plains or beaches, but spectacular gorges, natural swimming holes, waterfalls and bright red rock walls, some of them hundreds of millions of years old.
Of all my road trips through Australia, Karijini is one of the places that made the biggest impression on me. It's adventurous and rugged, and in many spots it feels truly untouched.
Karijini National Park is in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, about 1,400 kilometers north of Perth.
Karijini National Park is in the Pilbara, roughly halfway between Exmouth and Broome. That makes it a popular stop on a road trip along the west coast of Australia.
Distances in this part of Australia are huge, and that's what makes Karijini such a surprise. After hours of driving through dry outback, you suddenly find yourself in a world of deep gorges, natural swimming pools and spectacular hiking trails.
For a lot of travelers, Karijini is the reason to head inland instead of sticking to the coast of Western Australia.
What makes Karijini special?
Where many national parks revolve around one lookout or one famous sight, Karijini is all about exploring.
Here you literally head down into the gorges. Sometimes you walk through narrow passages between the rocks, other times you swim through natural pools or clamber over boulders to reach hidden waterfalls.
That makes the park feel a lot more adventurous than many other natural areas in Australia.
The colors also keep changing throughout the day. At sunrise and sunset especially, the red rock walls almost seem to glow.
The most beautiful gorges in Karijini
Hancock Gorge
For many visitors, Hancock Gorge is the absolute highlight of Karijini.
This gorge is famous for the "Spider Walk", where you work your way between the narrow rock walls with your hands and feet pressed against both sides.
At the end of the walk you reach one of the most impressive spots in the park: Kermit's Pool.
The water is crystal clear, the rock formations are spectacular and it feels like you've stepped into a hidden world.
Weano Gorge
Weano Gorge is right next to Hancock Gorge, and most people do both on the same visit.
The walk takes you through a gorge that keeps getting narrower, with impressive rock formations and small pools of water.
Some sections take a bit of scrambling, but that's exactly what makes this walk so much fun.
Dales Gorge
Dales Gorge is one of the most accessible parts of the park and perfect if you'd rather do less scrambling.
This is where you'll find some of the most famous spots in Karijini:
- Fortescue Falls
- Fern Pool
- Circular Pool
Fern Pool in particular is special. This natural swimming hole is surrounded by greenery and waterfalls and feels almost tropical, which is the last thing you'd expect in the middle of the Pilbara.
Joffre Gorge
Joffre Gorge might be the most photogenic gorge in Karijini.
From the lookout you look out over a huge gorge shaped like a natural amphitheater. When there's enough water, a waterfall tumbles down the rock, which makes for spectacular photos.
Hikes in Karijini
One of the best things about Karijini is that you choose your own level of adventure.
There are easy lookouts that almost anyone can get to, but also challenging hikes where you have to scramble, swim and squeeze through narrow passages.
| Walk | Distance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Fortescue Falls | ± 1 km round trip | Easy |
| Fern Pool | ± 1.5 km round trip | Easy |
| Hancock Gorge | ± 3 km round trip | Moderate to difficult |
| Weano Gorge | ± 2 km round trip | Moderate |
| Joffre Gorge Lookout | ± 500 meters round trip | Easy |
Note: some walks require a good level of fitness and can be slippery. Wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water.
Staying overnight in Karijini with a campervan
If you're traveling through Western Australia in a campervan, you have several options for spending the night in or near the park.
Karijini Eco Retreat
The best-known place to stay in the park is the Karijini Eco Retreat. It has both campsites and luxury safari tents, plus full facilities including toilets and showers. On top of that, there's a lovely restaurant where you can have a delicious dinner or a glass of wine at sunset. After one night here, it was hard not to book a few more.
The big advantage is the central location. From here you can get to many of the most important gorges fairly quickly.
Dales Campground
If you prefer simpler camping, Dales Campground is a popular choice. I stayed here for two nights myself, and it's wonderful being right in the middle of nature. There are basic drop toilets, but no showers. All the more reason to cool off in one of the gorges in the evening.
The campground is close to Dales Gorge and makes a good base for several walks.
Best time to visit Karijini National Park
The best time to visit Karijini National Park is April through October. If you go early in the season, in April or May for example, you have the best chance of seeing the gorges at their most beautiful. The wet season runs roughly January through March, so there's often still plenty of water in the waterfalls, natural pools and gorges.
Temperatures in these months are also much more pleasant, which makes exploring the trails and gorges a lot more comfortable. Daytime temperatures are usually between 20 and 35 degrees, depending on the month.
During the Australian summer, November through March, temperatures can easily climb above 40 degrees. That makes walking through the gorges a lot harder and less enjoyable, especially in the hottest part of the day.
Keep in mind that heavy rain can temporarily close roads or walking trails. Always check current conditions before you head to Karijini National Park.
How much time do you need?
Karijini National Park is one of those places where a lot of travelers wish afterward that they'd stayed longer. Many people only spend one or two nights here, but I recommend at least two nights in the park.
With two nights you have enough time to explore some of the best-known highlights, like Hancock Gorge, Weano Gorge and Dales Gorge, at a relaxed pace without constantly watching the clock. Karijini especially is a place where you want time to walk through the gorges, swim in the natural pools and stop often along the way to take in the landscape.
Have more time? Then three to four nights is well worth it. That way you can see all the major gorges, do a range of walks and experience Karijini at a much easier pace. In my opinion, this spectacular national park only really comes into its own when you give yourself the time to explore it properly.
