Karijini National Park, things to do and see: activities

Karijini National Park, the quintessential outback is located in the Hamersley Range of Western Australia. In the park’s north, Oxer Lookout has views of the Weano, Hancock and Joffre gorges. At the edge of Weano Gorge, a trail leads to popular instagram moment Handrail Pool. To the east are the red rocks of Dales Gorge and the cascades of Fortescue Falls. Wildlife includes the soaring Australian goshawks, high in the blue skies above, with watchful eyes seeking ring-tailed dragons and desert tree frogs.

SPA Pool, Hamersley Gorge, Karijini National Park, Australia

Weather

From Tom Price (Karijini National Park) online resource Tom Price Weather:

Karijini National Park’s climate can best be described as tropical semi-desert. A highly variable, mainly summer rainfall of 250–350 mm, often associated with thunderstorms and cyclones, is accompanied by temperatures frequently topping 40 degrees Celsius.

Summer	Dec, Jan, Feb	22°C – 38°C
Autumn	Mar, Apr, May	12°C – 34°C
Winter	Jun, Jul, Aug	7°C – 25°C
Spring	Sep, Oct, Nov	11°C – 36°C

Best time to visit

Late autumn (April – June) to spring September). Winter days are warm and clear, with crisp clear nights offering a contrast. Summer can be scorching hot with temperatures in excess of 40c. Rainy season is between mid November to mid-July.

Route map

Port Hedland
Karijini National Park
Hamersley Gorge
Weano Gorge
Joffre Gorge
Tom Price township
Fern Pool

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DOES THE PARK HAVE A VISITOR CENTRE?

The Karijini Visitor Centre is just off Banjima Drive and is open in season from 9am to 4pm daily. It is closed from early December to early February each year. The centre can provide information on park facilities, and interpretation on the natural and cultural history of the park.

To plan your visit and for important information on access, flora and fauna, safety, and Traditional Custodians of the Park, visit Parks and Wildlife Service.

HOW TO GET TO KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK?

Check the route map provided at the beginning of the guide. From Port Hedland it is approximately a 3 hour journey to the park entrance. Karijini National Park is remote and in the middle of nowhere. You do not require a 4WD vehicle however it is recommended. While the majority of roads within the park are sealed, the road joining the east of the park is unsealed.

GETTING THERE

The nearest major towns are Karratha or Port Hedland, both a considerable distance. The roads to the park are sealed with unsealed options. There are sealed and unsealed road options to get here, but do research in advance the route you want to take as you may require a permit to travel on some roads. Port Hedland information centre is an ideal place to check final details before your intrepid journey into the outback begins. As well road permits can be obtained from Tom Price visitor centre.

WHERE TO STAY IN KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK?

The National Park camping at Karijini is located in the vicinity of Dales Gorge Area of the park in its eastern section. There are several campgrounds in proximity to each other with several hosting generations for motorhomes and caravans and others as unpowered tent sites. Camping at Dales Campground you are very near to the eastern attractions of the park including Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool, Circular Pool and the Three Ways Lookout. Campers must be self-sufficient with no water, fuel or electricity nearby. There are pit toilets but no showers.

CAMPING IN KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK

Camping is available in Dales Campground, which is accessible via a sealed road. All sites in Karijini are suitable for caravan, tent, bus and camper trailers, and are unpowered however there are generator sites. You must book online to secure a spot at Dales campground! Click here to book online. When booking online you can also pay for their entry fee to the National Park as well. Un-powered sites are also available at the Savannah campground, which is part of Karijini Eco Retreat, with access to shared ablution facilities. Bookings can be made directly via Karijini Eco Retreat. Camping in the park is administered by the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

Karijini Eco Retreat Camping

Glamping is found in the western area of Karijini National Park, near the Weano Gorge Area.

Karijini Eco Retreat is a privately-owned accommodation resort that sits within national parkland. Fully aboriginal owned the retreat offers deluxe Eco Tents, dorm cabins and campsites. There is an al fresco restaurant on the site, showers for guests (water limits apply).

Tom Price village

The Tom Price Motel is located adjacent to the National Park. As part of the motel complex is Tom Price Tourist Park is an interesting place to camp or stay in fully equipped air conditioned cabins. Tucked under the brow of Mt Nameless, the grassed and shady park with bitumised roads offers camping sites, cabins, chalets and motel style units. Karijini National Park is a 50km unsealed road trip away, ideal for day trips. The park is a short drive to the shops and services in Tom Price village.

FUEL, VEHICLE REPAIRS?

No fuel except for Tom Price Village.

BYO WATER and NO OPEN WOOD FIRES are permitted in the National Park and are not recommended elsewhere in the Pilbara.

ARE THERE CROCODILES IN KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK?

WHERE TO PAY THE PARK ENTRANCE FEE FOR KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK?

At the park entrance with cash in the drop box
Purchase a National Park pass online and print a copy or download to your mobile (remember you might run out of battery on the mobile)
Port Hedland visitor centre

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STAY AT THE PARK?

The park is remote, it is at least half an hour away (Tom Price village) or over half a day from Port Hedland. Then there are the distances between major attractions within the park. It is recommended a minimum of overnight with the option of an additional night for visitors fascinated with the outdoor, the remoteness and the sense of wide open adventure.

GUIDED TOURS

In conjunction with Karijini Eco Retreat, Lestok Tours commenced operations in the Pilbara in 1986. In 1989, they took up the challenge of tourism. Since that time, they have conducted guided tours of Pilbara Iron’s Tom Price mining operation, which is one of the most popular tours in the Pilbara. When access to Karijini National Park from Tom Price opened up with the Marandoo Road in 1993, they commenced day tours of the Park and Gorges. Their vehicles are maintained to the highest standard and upgraded regularly.

Lestok Iron Ore Mine Tours managed by Lestok Tours: Explore the Pilbara, Karijini & Tom Price.

The Lestok Iron Ore Mine tour begins at the Tom Price Visitor Centre where guests are issued with safety glasses and a hard hat. All guests are treated to air-conditioned comfort and full commentary on route to the mine so you can hear about the rich culture and history of the area

WALKING TRACKS IN KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK

Sturdy covered footwear, many areas are unfenced with steep drops and ground can be slippery. Watch notices and alerts.

Travel Pack Information

For information on park access, road conditions and closures within the Karijini National Park, please visit Park Alerts System: Parks and Wildlife Service
Karijini National Park brochure including walks, remember to download to your mobile or even print a copy

Karijini National Park official brochure