Your guide to Karijini National Park, WA

Your guide to Karijini National Park, WA

With over 627,422 hectares to explore, Karijini National Park is a must-visit on your campervan adventure. Glowing red rock, breathtaking gorges, and swimming holes you’ll never want to leave exist in this beloved national park.

Located in the northwest region of Western Australia, it may require quite the trip to get here, but rest assured, it is worth it. Over two billion years old, this vast landscape gives its visitors plenty of jaw-dropping vistas and enough activities to keep you and the family busy.

As Australia’s second-largest national park, it can be overwhelming to plan your campervan trip, so buckle up; we are about to give you the ins and outs of this ancient natural wonder.

What to expect

Karijini National Park is a nature lover’s playground. The swimming holes are paradise, and the stark layered red rock looming above you with the contrasting hue of blues is enough to write home about.

The park is peppered with hiking trails to incredible viewpoints, and the land is home to an eclectic group of native wildlife, including red kangaroos, ring-tailed dragons, desert tree frogs, and plenty more.

If time isn’t on your side, you can see the favoured spots in three days, but we recommend five days or more to make the most out of your trip to this desert plateau.

Please note, there is no petrol station within the park so make sure to fill up before entering and consider bringing extra if you’re planning to stay a while.

Weather tips for your visit

This region’s weather is relentless, with temperatures hitting 40°C/104°F in the summertime, thanks to its tropical semi-desert climate. Summertime also brings storms, cyclones, and plenty of rain. During the winter, the days are warm and sunny; however, at night, temperatures plummet, so pack wisely.

The locals recommend autumn and spring as the best seasons for visiting, as temperatures are less mild. Regardless of the season, always prepare for the heat, rainfall, and chilly evenings.

Start your adventures early in the morning and consider finding a swimming hole or heading back to your campsite to relax during the hottest time of the day.

Karijini National Park’s to-dos

1. Take a hike

If you’re heading to the park with your hiking boots, get excited because there are some incredible tracks. Check out Gorge Rim Track for a short, easy 2km walk to see Dales Gorge and Fortescue Falls. Go exploring in the Weano Recreation Area for something more adventurous, where you’ll find swimming holes and lookouts. And for the super extreme hikers who want the best view in the entire Karijini National Park, plan a hike to Mount Bruce, the second-highest peak (1,234m tall) in Western Australia.

2. Get some R&R

If hiking in the arid climate isn’t your forte, not to worry, there is plenty to do. Fern Pool is an accessible swimming spot that doesn’t require a long walk, plus it has a waterfall you can swim in and behind that the kids will love. Bringing your bathers is a must because the pools dotted around the national park are enchanting.

Stop for lunch at Weano Picnic Area, where you can access Weano and Hancock gorges from lookout points or short walking trails. If you want to learn more during your visit, experience a tour through the gorges with a local guide company like Lestok Tours.

3. Stargaze the night away

Stay up past dusk to see the magnificent starry sky. The night sky is overwhelmingly beautiful, with zero light pollution, and everyone should witness it. Astro tours are available with Remtrek Astronomy, located at Dales campground.

Suppose you need in-person help with planning your days in Karijini National Park. In that case, we recommend popping into the visitor centre, where you’ll also find interactive and informative exhibits of the landscape and its local animals.

Sleeping arrangements in Karijini National Park

You will find two campgrounds within the park: Dales Campground and Karijini Eco Retreat. Dales is an expansive site great for families with picnic tables, gas barbecues, and toilets. It costs just $11 a night for adults and just $3 for kids over five years old.

You can easily access the main points of the park, like Dales Gorge, Circular, and Fern Pool, from this location. During the winter months, June to September, campsites often sell out, so book in advance.

If Dale’s is fully booked, Karijini Eco Retreat has non-powered sites for campervans and tents and glamping tents. Amenities include communal solar showers, toilets, a camp kitchen, and barbecue facilities. You will also find an outback restaurant, bar, and kiosk on site. A big bonus is its proximity to Joffre Gorge, just a short walk from the campgrounds. Expect to pay $20 a night per adult with free stay for kids up to 12 years old per paid adult.

Your campervan experience to Karijini National Park will be one for the books! Plan, pack smart, fuel up beforehand, and enjoy this astonishing part of Western Australia.

Hire a van for a Western Australia adventure

Ready to book your trip to Karijini National Park?

Check out the vans for hire in Western Australia and hit the road.