Trip to Karijini National Park.

Hi Paul and Helen

Karijini is a great favourite of mine. Make sure you go to Hamersley Gorge which is accessed from the west side of the park - it is different to the gorges accessed internally. Although i would love to see Wittenoom, we respected the requests of authorities not to visit it is of course accessed from the northern end of the park if you choose to go there. An easy climb up Mt Bruce gives good views.

Do the hire terms and conditions permit you to take the camper on dirt roads? Internal roads around the park are dirt. If it is dirt road capable and allowable, consider also going to the Chichester and Millstream NPs; to very different adjoining parks would into one.

Are you planning to do a loop - ie one way by the by the Great Northern Highway and the other via the North West Coastal Highway? The country around Tom Price is lovely too.

Motherhen

I have to agree with Motherhen.

We drove in from Port Hedland and stayed two nights in Tom Price caravan park at the foot of Mt Nameless. From there we drove out to Hamersley Gorge and also did a mine tour. We then moved to Dales Gorge camp ground which although it has no power or water was a good base to park the caravan then drive from there to do the rest of the gorges (Weano and the four gorges there, Joffre Falls, Knox Gorge and Kalamina Gorge).

From Dales Gorge, make sure you walk down to the Fortescue Falls and the Fern Pool as well as Dales Gorge and Circular Pool. Lots of walking and some swimming if you want to, for fantastic views.

We drove back out to Port Hedland then headed south on the North West Coastal Hwy again so as not to miss anything on our way round. Karijini was my second most favourite place on our half lap in 2010. The Horizontal Waterfall in Talbot Bay was our favourite. We missed Millstream this time round.

WBS

Hi Paul and Helen,

Apart from Karajini NP itself things in the general vicinity to do if staying on the bitumen would include a mine tour at either Tom Price or Newman, visit the harbour and road overpass at Port Hedland to see the bulk ore carriers being loaded and the ore trains coming in. Also visit the Burrup Peninsular with major industry side by side with ancient rock carving, amazing "choc top" rock hills and beaches made entirely of shells.

If you have a vehicle suitable for gravel roads do the drive around the northern edge of Karajini which will take you to Hammersley Gorge. You might also consider doing the road that runs beside the railway line from Karratha to Tom Price, it will take you past the turn-off to Millstream NP and through some spectacular countryside.

Have a look at our blogs from 2009 to give you some idea of these places.

Cheers,

Val.

Paul & Helen,

Pity you are going in July cause if it was possible to visit Karijini now, the waterfalls will be gushing right now!! But all roads are shut now due to the cyclone :(

I work to the north & west of Karijini NP and every time I get moved by it!

You'll love it!! And if you run out of water & ice there are be 2 camps just north of it!

Cheers
Matthew