Day 45 Karijini National Park - 13/4/11

We set off this morning from Tom Price to go to Dales campground in Karijini National Park.  It was bitumen all the way until we got to the campground.  During the winter months, there is a host ranger on site where you can pay your fees which is just $7 per person per night.  There is no water or electricity but there are gas barbecues and drop toilets.  The sites are in "loops" a circular track with sites marked out.  One of the loops is for generators, one for tour operators and the rest being for caravans, campers, tents etc.  You also have to take your rubbish out with you as there is no collection.  We decided not to use the generator and just run the lights off the battery in the van and the fridge and stove are gas.  The shower also runs off the battery for the pump and the water heater is gas.

Driving into Karijini National Park 

Our site at Dales Campground

It was only 105kms from Tom Price so we got there early. Once we had set up we went for a drive and walk to Circular Pool which is an amazing pool at the bottom of a big gorge and then to Fortescue Falls which you  see from the top or you can descend a steep trail from the carpark.  Back to the van for lunch and then in the afternoon we set off to explore the gorges.

Circular Pool

The map of Forescue Falls showing different walks you can do

Fortescue Falls

The other end of the gorge at Fortescue Falls

First stop was the Karijini Visitors Centre.  This is an amazing building made out of steel sheets which has weathered and is the same colour as iron ore.  It is in the shape of a goanna and has some fantastic displays.

Karijini Visitor Centre 

A plaque explaining the shape of the building 

A horse and rider made out of steel

Next we stopped at Weano Gorge and we actually climbed down to the bottom of the gorge and had a paddle in the waters.  There are lots of walks you can do ranging from easy to extremely hard with lots of warning signs which tell you of the dangers of unstable rocks and hypothermia from the very cold waters.  The escarpments of the gorges are amazing.

Looking into Weano Gorge 

Peter at the bottom (the going down was easier then the climbing back up!) 

One of the pools at Weano Gorge

Then we stopped at Oxer Lookout and Junction Pool.  This is where four gorges meet and is quite spectacular.  The lookouts are a bit scary as they hang right out over the gorge but the views are incredible.  There was a memorial here for a rescuer that lost his life trying to save someone who got caught in a flash flood.

Memorial to a rescuer who died trying to save a tourist 

Looking down into Junction Pool  at Red Gorge from Oxer Lookout

Wittenoom Gorge 

Hancock Gorge

Next stop was Knox Gorge with more amazing scenery and last but not least Joffre Gorge Lookout.  We watched a couple who had climbed down into the gorge trying to work their way out again.  It was very hot so we didn't have the energy to do any more climbing.

Knox Gorge 

Joffre Gorge from the lookout

Karijini National Park in the Hamersley Range is spectacular and a must see for anyone who comes to WA.

After tea we went for a walk around the loop and enjoyed the spectacular starry night sky with no interference from lights so all the stars were really bright.  Then it was an early night.

Tomorrow we are off to Port Hedland.
cheers
Pete and Roz