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Back to basics in Karijini National ParkKarijini, Australia

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When you think of the Australian landscape, thoughts of stunning beaches, the desolate outback, Kakadu National Park and the iconic Uluru often spring to mind. It's places like the incredible Karijini National Park however, that get forgotten about.

Karijini National Park is one of Australia’s most beautiful and unspoiled destinations. The park is approximately 1,500 kilometres north of Perth, in Western Australia, and is known for its spectacular and unusual landscapes and the dramatic gorges which were formed over 2,500 million years ago. The park is the traditional home of the Banyjima, Kurrama and Innawonga Aboriginal people.

Waterholes and waterfalls can be found throughout the park, and make for ideal places to cool off, go swimming and relax. At Fern Pool you’ll be able to float around in turquoise water surrounded by amazing greenery and incredible rock formations. At Dale’s Gorge you can take a short walk around the rim and check out Fortescue Falls – the only spring-fed waterfall in the park. There's also some great hikes through the gorges to explore, and it's an amazing experience to wander around in chasms up to 100 metres deep.

You will spend three days and three nights camping at Karijini on our Perth to Broome Overland trip, which gives you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself and get the most out of this incredible part of Australia.

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Witness one of the most magnificent night skies you’re ever likely to see due to the lack of light pollution
Explore the almighty gorges of Karijini National Park. Formed over 2,500 million years ago, the Hamersley Ranges feature some of the most unusual landforms on Earth. As you hike deep into the gorges you’ll come across cascading waterfalls and fresh waterholes, which are ideal for cooling off in. Dales Gorge and Circular Pool, Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool and Weano Gorge are just some of the places you can visit
The curved gorge walls create a natural amphitheatre, perfect for belting out a tune or two

There’s no WiFi when camping in the outback, so prepare for a digital detox
This is a ‘no frills’ experience. You’ll spend some nights of the trip sleeping at camping grounds in twin-share tents. While conditions can be basic, this is all part of the adventure
The trip requires a decent level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking. The hike in Karijini National Park is particularly challenging
Temperatures in Western Australia can be extreme. During the day the weather can be hot (and the Australian sun is strong), so please bring appropriate clothing, use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures drop quite dramatically, so ensure you have base layers and warm clothing

get there

International and domestic flights are available to Perth for the start of the tour, and from there you can get picked up from any centrally-located accommodation.

price guide

From US$1,465.

difficulty

The walks vary between three and nine kilometres, and cover uneven terrain that includes river crossings and rough, rocky ground. Some hikes may even require sections of walking or swimming through water. Temperatures can be extreme, ranging from very hot during the day through summer, to very cold during the night through winter.

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Intrepid Travel
www.intrepidtravel.com

need to know

This tip was provided by Intrepid Travel, but we’re sharing it with you because we think it’s great.

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Tags: australia, camping, gorges, hiking, Karijini, national park, waterfalls, western australia

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get there

International and domestic flights are available to Perth for the start of the tour, and from there you can get picked up from any centrally-located accommodation.

love

Witness one of the most magnificent night skies you’re ever likely to see due to the lack of light pollution
Explore the almighty gorges of Karijini National Park. Formed over 2,500 million years ago, the Hamersley Ranges feature some of the most unusual landforms on Earth. As you hike deep into the gorges you’ll come across cascading waterfalls and fresh waterholes, which are ideal for cooling off in. Dales Gorge and Circular Pool, Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool and Weano Gorge are just some of the places you can visit
The curved gorge walls create a natural amphitheatre, perfect for belting out a tune or two

not sure?

There’s no WiFi when camping in the outback, so prepare for a digital detox
This is a ‘no frills’ experience. You’ll spend some nights of the trip sleeping at camping grounds in twin-share tents. While conditions can be basic, this is all part of the adventure
The trip requires a decent level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking. The hike in Karijini National Park is particularly challenging
Temperatures in Western Australia can be extreme. During the day the weather can be hot (and the Australian sun is strong), so please bring appropriate clothing, use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures drop quite dramatically, so ensure you have base layers and warm clothing