Karijini National Park

Karijini National Park is a large protected area in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, noted for its deeply incised ironstone gorges and rugged upland plateaus.

Deep, narrow gorges such as Dales, Hancock and Weano cut through the Hamersley Range and form pools, waterfalls and sheer cliff faces; some gorges reach on the order of 100 metres in depth and contain popular swimming and walking spots. Mount Bruce and surrounding peaks form high lookout points with expansive views over the park.

The park preserves landscapes shaped by banded ironstone and ancient weathering. It is managed for conservation and recreation, with established walking trails, marked lookouts and restricted access to sensitive areas to protect vegetation and cultural sites.

Karijini lies in inland northwestern Australia in the Pilbara, roughly in the region served by the town of Tom Price and several hundred kilometres north of Perth; the park is remote and best accessed by road from nearby regional centres.

• Scale and geology: Park area is roughly 627,000 hectares (about 6,270 square kilometres) and the gorges can reach depths of around 100 metres in places.
• Access and trails: Access is via sealed and unsealed roads; many gorge hikes involve rock scrambling and some sections require pool wading or swimming, so sturdy footwear and caution are essential.
• Best time to visit: Best visited in the cooler months from April to September when daytime temperatures are milder and water in the gorges is more inviting.

What to See #

• Dales Gorge: Dales Gorge contains a river, walking trails and the Circular Pool and Fortescue Falls, with cliffs and pools formed in banded ironstone over many metres of depth.
• Hancock Gorge: Hancock Gorge is narrow and rocky with sections that require scrambling and offers access to Kermit's Pool and deep slot sections.
• Weano Gorge: Weano Gorge features the Handrail Pool and popular walking routes that descend through ironstone chasms into pools and waterfalls.
• Mount Bruce and Hamersley Range: Mount Bruce and the Hamersley Range form the park's uplands; Mount Bruce is one of Western Australia's highest peaks and provides lookout opportunities over the park.