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Karijini NP

Submitted: Saturday, Dec 03, 2005 at 18:47

Glenn (VIC)

Hi to all you Pilbara experts,

I am planning a 10 week trip next year and will be stopping at Marble Bar (haven't been there since I was 5), Newman and Tom Price before travelling onto Onslow. I have seen on the maps that the Karinji NP has a few gorges, and can recall reading in one of the 4wd mags how beautiful this park is. I am after info from anyone who has camped in the Karinji NP as to which are the best areas. I will only have a couple of days, three nights max and will have camper trailer in tow. It will just be my (then) 9 year old son and I.

Cheers

Glenn
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AnswerID: 142283   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 03, 2005 at 19:04

Willem replied:

Hi Glenn

We were there in May this year

I have a visitor information and Walk Trail Guide for you if you would like it. Email your postal addy to me and I will send it off on Monday

Karijini is quite spectacular but you have to be fit if you want to walk the gorges. Still ,we managed to see quite a bit without following the young'uns.

Camped at Dales Gorges, near Fortesque Falls. Nice camping area but typical pine forest campground(sawn off pine posts stopping you from driving here or there lol)

Dont forget to do a Mine Tour either at Newman or Tom Price.

We will be in that area by mid July next year. Might even bump into you

Cheers
Karoo Jackal
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Willem

There is more than one way to bag a bunny

Reply 1 of 8
FollowupID: 395858   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 03, 2005 at 19:39

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Cheers Willem,

Thanks very much. I will send you an email, and will also attach draft itinerary too, so that if we are in the same region, we can try and catch up for a chat.

Cheers

Glenn
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 142286   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 03, 2005 at 20:10

Member - Davoe (Widgiemooltha) replied:

For 10 bucks I just picked a CALM publication walks in the Pilbarra which includes about 25 described walking track with mud maps in th KP and heaps more from surrounding areas
you dont need to leave perth to go bush
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You dont need to leave Perth to go bush
Reply 2 of 8
AnswerID: 142289   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 03, 2005 at 20:21

Motherhen replied:

Lovely area - a don't miss it. We met poeple with toddlers climbing up and down into the gorges, some people with tiny tots on their shoulders. We commented that and about 3 y/o little girl was going well on the climb "yes, and this is the third gorge today" was the mother's reply. Don't forget the Hamersely Gorge on accessed from the west side - the geology is different, and it is an easier climb down. Just put one foot in front of the other, and you will get there - lovely cool water to refresh in at the bottom of some. You'll sleep well at night!

Two very different mine tours we took were the Mt Whaleback tour at Newman, and the old Comet gold mine at Marble Bar. Both well worth the visit. Near Newman there are also a few drives to water and rock features too.

The Pilbara - all very scenic - enjoy your trip.

Motherhen
Near the Stuart Highway NT
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Reply 3 of 8
FollowupID: 395978   Submitted: Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 10:20

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Hi Mothernhen,

Thanks for the info on the tours. I am looking forward to seeing the area again. The last time I was there, I was playing in the sludge piles of the asbestos mine in Wittenoom with my brother and sister. We did not know then what we know now, but thankfully it hasn't affected any of the family.

My son and I are especially looking forward to the hikes...he more than me I am afraid. I will have to have given up the smokes by then, that is for sure.

Cheers

Glenn
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 142290   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 03, 2005 at 20:33

Stuck in Hedland replied:

Karijini is SPECTACULAR. No trip up to the North West can be complete with out a visit, IT'S NOT 'Just another National Park', Amazing gorges, walks, swimming holes.

Try this site: (sorry don't Know how to link)

http://www.calm.wa.gov.au/national_parks/previous_parks_month/karijini.html

Most walks down into the gorges are fairly easy, just take it easy. You'll find after a few of the 'walking time signage' has been exagerated, most will take half the time.
$5 pppn at Dales and $10 pppn at Savannah (+ small park entry fee)
Gas barbies
Drop Loo's
Water at visitor centre only
Solar bucket showers at Savannah
Can get a little hot in summer, and down to freezing (at night) in winter.

I'm heading there again in a fortnights time, just to see it in a different season.
Don't forget the camera!
Reply 4 of 8
FollowupID: 395979   Submitted: Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 10:40

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Hi stuck in Hedland,

I definately won't be forgetting the camera...hahahaha.

Thanks for the info on the camp sites, I am looking at getting the annual parks pass for WA as I will be visiting so many National Parks in your lovely state over the ten weeks I am there.

Cheers

Glenn
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 396070   Submitted: Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 22:52

Stuck in Hedland posted:

Enjoy, You won't regret a single minute, except if you stay in Hedland too long. I'm heading home (to Vic) shortly, the slow way.
FollowUp 2 of 2
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AnswerID: 142294   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 03, 2005 at 20:50

Member - Andy Q (VIC) replied:

G'day Glen, Don't forget to visit Millstream, beautiful spot for camping. I haven't been up that way for a few years but when I lived in 'Hedland I spent somet great times not only at Karinji NP but the deserts were great to and Millstream was always a favorite place.
andy

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mightyQ
Reply 5 of 8
FollowupID: 395980   Submitted: Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 10:42

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Hi Andy,

I was lucky enough to visit Millstream in 1993, beautiful place. The only unfortunate thing was a Japanese Tourist had been lost in the area a few months before we were there, and had lit a bushfire to attract attention. The bushfire very nearly destroyed Millstream, but thankfully didn't. Some of the surrounding bush was damaged. I will not make it to Millstream this time around, I will save it for the next time.

Cheers

Glenn
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 142304   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 03, 2005 at 21:52

Exploder replied:

We were up there 2 years ago; It’s a grate spot and I hope to make it back there some time soon.

Anyway we stayed outside of the park so we could have a Fire and run the generator as we pleased (so not to any others) and not have to worry about any noise we made (We were a group of 7 and with 3 4WD’s), that and I have a hate of designated camping areas when out bush.

If you wish to camp outside of the park, as you turn right onto the Karijini Nat park access road coming from Newman There are a couple of Tracks leading off into the bush some with OK camping, Spinifex is the main problem.

The best one we found, After some searching was about 20k’s in on the main road from memory, on the right there is a track leading of to a Big gravel Pit, it’s not that far off the main road but all the earth that has been pushed up from digging makes a nice wall that hides the camp from passing motorists pretty good. We were in that location for 4 Night’s and only had one visitor who was a tour operator who uses the site every trip, he had a group of American and English tourists with him and man was he happy to have a talk with some Australians again.
Reply 6 of 8
FollowupID: 395983   Submitted: Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 10:51

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Hi Exploder,

Thanks for the info. I will probably stay in the park as I can do with out a fire for a couple of nights. May need to get a propane heater though to keep the little one warm if it gets cold at night...lol

Cheers

Glenn
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 142307   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 03, 2005 at 22:25

Bilbo replied:

If your staying at Onslow, try the Beadon Creek van park as you come into town. Turn right towards the Beadon Creek jetty.

Nice tidy little park by NW standards. Great owners and good fishing in Beadon Creek about 2 minutes walk. We stayed there about 2 weeks.

The other one at the beach end of town is very windy. Plus the owners don't seem to give a toss - "take it or leave it" seems to be the attitude.

The Onslow museum was good. Great coverage of the many cyclones that seem to flatten Onslow each year. Amazing that it's still there as a town!

Bilbo
Reply 7 of 8
FollowupID: 395881   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 07:10

Member - Robyn J (QLD) posted:

We were there in June this year. Great spot. We had a look at most gorges but only walked a couple. The walk at Dales george is recommended even only took about 1 1/2 when they said 3 hours and we were not that fit but if you do the walk advice we got from people was walk the top of the rim of Dales Gorge - an easy walk from the park to Circular Pool the walk down to this pool is very steep easy going down but I would have hated to have walked up - saw one couple of older people and the man was flat out breathing. It is one of the walks 15minutes down and 1hr up. Once down the bottom of the gorge it is an easy walk along the floor of the gorge marked with paint spots although some were hard to locate. The walk up the george at Fortesque Falls is easy it is like steps all the way up the edge of the fall. Dont forget to continue on to Fern Pool wasnt marked but what a beautiful spot. Both camping grounds have areas where you can have generators but no fires. We also went to Millstream and went between the two via the mine road.. Free to do but you must get a permit from Karratha or Tom Price. Easy drive on gravel roads and we were towing a offroad trailer.
Camping at Old Onslow is free and a truely beautiful spot to camp along the river.
Enjoy
Jenkie
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 395889   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2005 at 09:57

Bilbo posted:

Be careful about free camping at the Old Onslow townsite. It's a great spot but after only minimal rain, the Onslow Shire will close the road. If you're out there when they close the road, than you're stuck out there.

If you're in town expecting to go out there, the Shire will prosecute you if they catch you on the closed road.

We waited 12 days to get out there from Beadon Bay van park and finally gave up on ever getting to Old Onslow and moved on elsewhere.

A few years back, some folks were stuck out there for 2 to 3 weeks, and the shire let one vehicle through to pick up food, water and medication (there were a few grey oldies out there!) for everyone. The rest had to stay there. It takes very little rain to close that road as it's very low lying ground

Bilbo.
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 142589   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 10:19

myfourby replied:

Don't drive the Tom Price Mine road heading north (next to rail line) - Got 3 Flats and smashed windscreen there last year.

-myfourby
Reply 8 of 8
FollowupID: 396151   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 13:44

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Ouch that must have hurt.

I won't be following that track, I will be heading out from Tom Price towards Onslow.

Cheers

Glenn

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