Kalgan Pool is situated deep in the eastern end of the
Ophthalmia Range. Much of the journey to the gorge is in/along the Kalgan Creek water course which requires a 4WD to negotiate due to loose shale, river rock, and stretches of water. Access to this site is 4WD only with
snorkel due to water crossings.
To get here, you should fill out a permit application (gold coin donation) to drive on the BHP gravel road (available from the
Newman Visitors Centre). The trip from
Newman to the Kalgan's Pool is slow going, taking about 80 mins on mostly rocky tracks with gravel and corrugations.
There are actually two spots to
camp at the Kalgan's Pool - either on the side you arrive on, or cross to the other side.
NOTE: Kalgan Pool itself has suffered badly since the dewatering of the aquifer under/near to the Hope Downs iron ore mine was allowed to go ahead in 2014. All of the once beautiful waterholes in the
Newman Waterhole Circuit have been adversely affected, these being Kalgan Pool, Thunder Gorge, Eagle Rock Pool/Falls and Three Pools. However, there's oodles of crystal clear water being pumped into Kalgan Creek about 1.2km down stream of Kalgan Pool which has created a whole new scenario.