Karijini National Park sits deep in Western Australia's Pilbara region, roughly 1,400km north of Perth — remote enough that most visitors fly into Newman or Paraburdoo and drive the rest of the way, or build it into a longer Pilbara road trip. What's waiting is worth the distance: banded red gorge walls up to 2.5 billion years old, cut through by waterfalls and cool, clear rock pools.
It's Western Australia's second-largest national park, and one of the most visually striking landscapes in the country — a genuine contrast of harsh red desert above and shaded, water-carved gorges below.
Highlights
Dales Gorge & Fortescue Falls
The most accessible of Karijini's gorges — a walking trail leads down to Fortescue Falls and on to the perennial Circular Pool.
Hancock Gorge & Kermits Pool
A more adventurous route involving wading and rock-hopping through narrow gorge sections to reach a striking pool — not for beginners.
Weano Gorge
Home to Handrail Pool, reached via a short but steep and physical descent — one of the park's most photographed spots.
Oxer Lookout
A viewpoint over the junction of four gorges — Red, Weano, Hancock and Joffre — without needing to descend at all.
Know Before You Go
Karijini is genuinely remote, with limited mobile coverage and fuel available only at the Visitor Centre or nearby stations. Many of the best gorge walks are rated Class 4 or 5 and involve scrambling over wet rock — worth checking your fitness and footwear against the official trail gradings before setting out.
Planning a Pilbara trip?
Get in touch and we'll help plan your Western Australia itinerary.
Enquire Now