Karijini NP

Karijini NP

Karijini NP

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https://www. westernaustralia. com/au/accommodation/dales-campground

Dales Campsite

Arrived 5th May 2023 just after 5pm at Dales campground in Karijini National Park It was a beautiful evening We quickly went to information centre, got pamphlets on Gorges /walks. Guides were very helpful.It is huge campground extremely busy, but spacing between sites were minimal.Bookings are essential pay in advance.It is close to Dales Gorge, Fern Pool, Fortescue Falls and Circular Pool. We booked 5 days wasn't enough so we decided to go to Buddahs campsite.

Campsites

  • Unpowered
  • No-flush pit toilets
  • Chemical toilet dump station,
  • No showers
  • No campfires
  • No Bins
  • Park fee apply
  • Showers are available for a fee at the Karijini Visitor Centre, 12km from the campground,

during opening hours (9am - 4pm daily.

Alteratively you have the Karijini Eco Retreat which more is luxurious with glamping tents, flushing toilets, a campers' kitchen and on-site restaurant. Best to check the website before travelling .

For Official Karijini Campsites:

  • Dales Campground: Maximum 28 nights (or 14 nights if any nights fall within school holidays)
  • Overflow Camping Area: Maximum 2 nights only (operates April-October during peak season)
  • Karijini Eco Retreat: No specific maximum mentioned
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Love Sunsets

After setting up saw my first Dingo, close and personal dont know who got frightened more him or me. Sure the whole campsite heard when I screamed out profanity ###. Lucky I had just been to the toilet. Thank goodness It ran away

Buddha Campground

Buddha campground is a free camping area located just opposite the access road to Hamersley Gorge, about 4km from the gorge itself. It's actually outside the national park boundaries. We stayed there a few nights too found it spacious and peaceful. we spent a day exploring around the campsite

Key Features:

  • No facilities - completely off-grid (no toilets, water, or showers)
  • Large skip bin available for rubbish
  • Multiple campsites scattered around the area
  • Requires self-containment
  • Telstra mobile reception available (unlike most of Karijini)
  • Peaceful and spacious setting

Access:

From Tom Price, travel along Nanutarra Road toward Hamersley Gorge. Take the first left turn after the Hamersley Gorge turnoff, down an unsigned dirt road just after the big yellow channel 40 sign.

Natures beautiful colours

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For Buddha Campground: As a free camp outside the park, there's no official maximum stay listed, though typical bush camping etiquette suggests moving on after a few days. Since Buddha's is ideal for visiting Hamersley Gorge (only 5 minutes away), it's a popular overnight stop for travellers exploring this remote corner of the park.

Critical Safety Requirements

Weather & Flash Flooding

  • Never enter gorges if it's raining or rain is forecast - This is the #1 rule. Park staff will close gorges even on clear days if rain is predicted
  • Exit gorges immediately if it starts to rain - flash flooding can occur rapidly
  • Best visiting season is April-September (dry season) when flash flood risk is lower

Water & Hydration

  • Carry 5 litres of water per person per day (minimum 2 litres)
  • Water in gorges can be extremely cold (especially April-September)
  • Hypothermia risk - consider bringing a wetsuit for prolonged swimming
  • Pool depths vary - never jump or dive into water

Footwear & Clothing

  • Sturdy footwear is essential - even when walking in water
  • Wear appropriate hiking shoes for rocky, steep terrain
  • Bring warm layers for chilly nights
  • Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses

Communication & Emergency

  • Limited phone reception:
    • Optus works at Visitor Centre, Dales Campground, and Karijini Eco Retreat
    • Telstra only at Mt Bruce and Hamersley Gorge
    • Satellite phones recommended but may not work inside gorges
  • Download Emergency+ app before visiting
  • Emergency radios located at Weano Recreation Area and Fortescue Falls carpark
  • Public phones at Visitor Centre and Eco Retreat (phone cards only)

Physical Fitness & Trail Grades

  • Trails are graded 2-5 (Australian Walking Track Grading System)
  • Grade 5 hikes require very high fitness, agility, and experience
  • Popular Grade 5 hikes include Hancock Gorge, Weano Gorge (Handrail Pool), and Knox Gorge
  • Read trailhead signage carefully and assess your abilities honestly

Essential Supplies

  • No fuel stations in the park - fill up at Tom Price (80km west), Newman, or Paraburdoo
  • No supermarkets nearby - stock up on food before arriving
  • Bring first aid kit
  • Pack swimmers for gorge pools
  • Bring power bank for devices (offline maps essential)
  • No rubbish bins - take all rubbish with you

Wildlife & Environmental Hazards

  • Wild dogs can be aggressive - never feed wildlife, store food in vehicle
  • Watch for snakes, goannas, and other reptiles
  • Never walk near gorge edges - loose rocks and crumbling edges are extremely dangerous
  • Circular Pool permanently closed due to asbestos risk
  • Stay on marked paths

Before You Go

  • Check DBCA website for current gorge closures (maintenance or safety incidents)
  • https//www.dbca.wa.gov.au
  • Download offline maps
  • Purchase park entry pass ($15 per vehicle)
  • Book accommodation well in advance (essential during peak season April-October)
  • Stop at Karijini Visitor Centre for current conditions and local advice

General Safety Principles

  • Never travel alone in remote gorges
  • Tell someone your plans and expected return time
  • Start hikes early morning to avoid heat
  • Respect cultural sites and follow park rules
  • A 4WD is recommended but not essential for most areas

Karijini is remote and rugged - with proper preparation and respect for the environment, you can safely enjoy this spectacular ancient landscape!

Tips:

  • The trails are marked with class group of difficulty best to be prepared, evaluate.
  • Good walking shoes
  • Handy to have are hiking sticks, definitely helps support in the rocky areas.
  • Carry a backpack with a pair reef shoes, swimming gear definitely need them in the water areas .
  • Important to take lots of water, snacks.
  • Be sun smart, most of all flip-flop slap and sunnies. 

Dales Gorge, Circular pool and Fortescue falls and fern pool walked approx 7 klm. class 4 declining rock steps slippery-water ways beautiful scenery, pools cascading water falls. approx 3 hrs finally 13 lots of steps going up

Dales Gorge

Dales Gorge, Circular pool and Fortescue falls and fern pool walked approx 7 klm. class 4 declining rock steps slippery-water ways beautiful scenery, pools cascading water falls. approx 3 hrs finally 13 lots of steps going up

DALES GORGE

  • Class 4 trail
  • Loop walk along bottom of gorge and around gorge rim
  • 2 most popular swimming pools, Fortescue and Fern pools - warmest water in Fern
  • Family friendly
  • Fern pool good suggestion for people arriving in the afternoon
  • Trail to Circular Pool closed due to recent rockfalls
  • Fortescue Lookout wheelchair accessible
  • Circular Pool Lookout - great views 60m down into pool.

Dales Gorge area is made up of several short trails that link together. You can experience them individually — such as a swim at Fern Pool or a lookout over Circular Pool — or combine them into a full loop that takes in Fortescue Falls, the gorge floor, and the rim walk.

Dales Gorge - Karijini National Park: Highlights, Walks & Tours

Beautiful arial views

Whether you’ve only got an hour or a full day to explore, there are options to match the time and energy you have.


Fern Pool

  • Fern pool good suggestion for people arriving in the afternoon
  • Trail to Circular Pool closed due to recent rockfalls
  • Fortescue Lookout wheelchair accessible
  • Circular Pool Lookout - great views 60m down into pool.

Fern Pool - Jubura - a peaceful swimming spot shaded by paperbarks, fed by twin waterfalls.

Changing scenery keep an eye for reptiles

Fern Pool is just above Fortescue Falls in Dales Gorge, on the eastern side of Karijini National Park.

WEANO GORGE UPPER WEANO TRAIL

  • Class 4 trail
  • A pleasant "bush walk" - no water crossings -suit all ages
  • Pretty pool at bottom of stairs

⠀LOWER WEANO TRAIL

  • Class 5 trail
  • Some wading through pools, narrow gorge to Handrail Pool.
  • STOP sign past Handrail Pool. Need lawful authority to proceed into Class 6


Weano Recreation Area

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Kalamina Gorge

⠀KALAMINA GORGE

  • Class 4 trail
  • Shallowest gorge - easy access
  • Family friendly
  • Walk 1.5km to where you can see a rock arch "window" high on right side of gorge then return.

Repile Encounter watch out.

Be aware of your surroundings moss very slippery.

Beautiful scenery

Very slippery in these area

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Achievment appreciated quite challenging at times.

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Didn't explore due to time restriction.

Hancock Gorge

  • Class 5 trail
  • Steep descent into gorge - rock steps and ladders
  • Very cold water crossing - need to get wet - suitable shoes (no bare feet or thongs)
  • Not suitable for young kids being carried (back packs etc.)
  • Not suitable for elderly
  • STOP sign just past Kermit Pool. Need lawful authority to proceed into Class 6

OXER LOOKOUT

Class 3 trail Great views into Junction Pool. Hancock, Joffre and Weano gorges meet to form Red Gorge

JOFFRE GORGE

  • Class 5 trail
  • Walk from carpark around trail over creek crossing then very steep descent into gorge via ladder
  • Great views from lookout where you can see entire walk