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Australia, commonly referred to as the ‘Land Down Under’, is a land of countless wonders. Discovered several hundred years ago, it has since transformed into a developed nation boasting one of the highest standards of living in the world. Among its many natural treasures is the awe-inspiring Karijini National Park, a testament to the country’s diverse landscapes and rich heritage.
General Information about Karijini National Park
The creation of the park dates back well over two hundred years, when Australia was still developing into a country.
The location that would later become the National Park was largely a remote wilderness, undiscovered by most people with the exception of perhaps, the Aboriginal Natives. The first explorations of the region by the Europeans, was done by a man named F.T. Gregory in 1861. He and his team led an expedition into this remote region of the continent, in their efforts to know more about the region’s interior.
The region’s hilly ranges were named as the Hamersley Range, as a tribute to Edward Hamersley, a friend of F.T. Gregory. The park itself has been established around this hill range. The park is situated in the Pibara region of the Northwestern part of Western Australia. Situated north of the Tropic of Capricorn, it is one of the largest protected areas in the country. It is in fact the second largest park, occupying an area of about 1,550,390 acres.
As for the climate of the park, the place happens to be in the subtropical region of Australia. In other words, the place offers a very hot weather for much of the year, with hot days and cold nights. Temperatures can sometimes exceed 40 degrees Celsius, while nights can be frosty. As for the precipitation in the area, rainfall occurs to the tune of about 250-350 mm annually, much of which falls as thunderstorms and cyclones.
Getting To Karijini National Park
There are plenty of national highways and other roads that lead to the national park, from all corners of Australia. If you want a base to visit the national park, it would be a good idea to begin at Perth. Using this coastal city as a base, one can visit the Karijini National Park and every other place in the area.
There is no restriction on the way you travel here, whether you come in your car or a travel van. If you are planning on using a local tour service, it is a good idea to check it out in the city of Perth or any other nearby urban center.
Also to be noted is that the park doesn’t allow pets such as dogs. If you happen to have one, you might want to arrange for a pet-sitter or anything else similar. As for the entrances, there are two of them at the park. The eastern one leads to the Dales Gorge and the western one to Hancock Gorge and the popular Eco Retreat.
Just make sure to stock up on fuel before you visit, because there is quite literally nothing for miles in certain places!
The Landscape of Karijini National Park
One of the biggest reasons why Karijini National Park has become famous is because of is wonderful landscapes. Located in one of the more remote regions of the Australian continent, it offers an unspoiled glimpse of pure nature. Stretching across the horizon, visitors can experience Australia as it was before development started to spread.
The landscape itself was carved out from the surrounding landmass over eons. Dating back well over two billion years and the early part of Earth’s history, Karijini National Park is probably one of the oldest geological sites on earth. When it comes to the actual landscapes, there is an abundance of it all over the place. Some of the most important are given below.
- The Hamersley Range – Karijini National Park is located around the Hamersley Range, which stretches across the landscape. Occupying a vast area, it offers a great view of the surrounding horizon in all direction, particularly at high elevations. You could that the hill range is the main attraction of the national park, with everything else being its individual features.
- The Waterfalls – It would probably be surprising to find large waterfalls in such a dry place. However, that is the case with Karijini waterfalls. Situated close to the interior of the park are some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Australian continent. Some of the most beautiful waterfalls to look out for are the Fortescue Falls. Adding to the charm of these waterfalls are the pools of water that collect just below them.
- The Blue Freshwater Pools – Iconic and a landmark unto itself are the freshwater pools located just under the waterfalls. The pools are a natural formation, created from water collecting just below the waterfalls.
They are largely static and calm, giving them a clear and blue view from a distance. In addition to this, they also happen to be surrounded by lovely rock formations and high cliffs. The waters are especially clear, and often give you a great view of the ground beneath them.
Some of the pools to look out for at Karijini National Park are Fern Pool and Circular Pool.
There are others as well in the area, which you can look out for. Another thing to note here is that you will probably have to do a bit of hiking to reach these pools, given that they are located in remote parts of the park. - The Vast Gorges – Another thing that Karijini National Park is famous for are its gorges. The hill ranges offer one of the most wonderful gorges on the Australian continent. With steep rock formations, enormous cliffs and rocky outcrops, the gorges are not to be missed out on. There are several such gorges in the area.
One of the most important and famous happens to be the Hancock Gorge. What make this particularly interesting are its colorful rocks, which lay exposed in their many hues and tones. Just below the rocky slopes is the Kermit’s Pool (named after the cartoon frog because of its stunning Green color), where many often take a swim. Other important gorges that can be found in the park are Dales, Kalamina, Wittenoom and Yampire. - Grasslands – There are some grassland and other such open patches of land all over Karijini National Park. These are great places to spot birds and wildflowers.
- The Landscape Views Along The Way – It should be added here that in addition to the other places mentioned above, don’t miss out on the landscapes along the way. It’s because the place you will be visiting is located in a fairly remote region of Australia. Once you leave urbanized areas like Perth, there is absolutely nothing for miles across vast stretches. Upon reaching these areas, you will be stunned at the beauty that Australia offers, even before you reach Karijini National Park. With its vast reddish-brown soil stretching into the horizon and the occasional hills, the trip to the national park is a sightseeing adventure unto itself.
What to do when you visit Karijini National Park?
When it comes to sightseeing and fun, there is almost no better place to visit than Karijini in Australia. Given in the list below are some of the activities you can look forward to.
- View The Scenic Landscapes – This is one of the biggest reasons why people visit Karijini National Park. Given that it has one of the most stunning views on the continent, this is only to be expected.
- Trek Around – The way to get around in the park is by foot. Go for a trek and discover the beauty that this park has to offer.
- Swim in the Water Holes – There are numerous water holes that you can find all across the park.
They can be especially fun when the weather is extremely hot.
While you are at it, spend some time appreciating the vast rocky cliffs and other formations that dot the surroundings. - Witness the Waterfalls – Karijini offers some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Australia. Try to visit the place just after the rainy season, so that you can get an excellent glimpse of the waterfalls in their full glory.
- Enjoy a Natural Spa – There is a heart shaped pool of water called ‘spa pool’ which is located near to Hamersley Gorge. With its unique surroundings and ice-blue color, the place is famous as a ‘spa’ for bathers and photographers alike.
- Don’t Forget Oxer’s Lookout – This is one of the most famous spots in Karijini. Known for its spectacular views of the surrounding regions, the lookout point is a place not to be missed. Do note that it will require a certain amount of walk from the Karijini car park area.
- Climb Mount Bruce – Located close to the park is the summit of Mount Bruce. The summit has a great view of the surroundings and is an excellent choice to visit, if you want to experience a great view of the Australian horizon.
- Discover Karijini’s Natural Vegetation – The landscape of Karijini offers one of the best examples of Australia’s flora. Among them are vast wildflower fields, where you can witness colorful flowers and the occasional wildlife.
- Check out the wildlife – The national park is frequented by some of the most beautiful wildlife known in Australia, notably the Kangaroo.
- Stay At The Eco-Retreat – One interesting thing to look forward to be an eco-retreat, located at the heart of Karijini National Park. The retreat is owned by the local Gumala Aboriginal Corporation, and offers you
- Stare At The Night Sky – There is no better place to experience the grandeur of the universe than at Karijini. Given that there is very little light pollution, the night sky is clearly lit up with
On The local Wildlife
In addition to the splendid landscapes of Karijini National Park, there is an abundance of wildlife as well. Some of the most important ones happen to be kangaroos, wallaroos, goannas, bats, echidnas, lizards, snakes, etc. In addition to this, there are several different varieties of birds that live in the area as well.
General Precautions
There are a few precautions that must be taken while visiting the place. The first thing to keep in mind is to watch your step. The gorges, valleys and other rock formations are undoubtedly beautiful to look at. In addition to this, they also carry with them a health hazard, if you take one wrong step. And given that some of the ledges are very steep, that one step might just be fatal.
Learn swimming before you jump into the watering holes. While there are shallow places, many of them are very deep.
Do not disturb any wildlife that you come across. Keep a clear distance from them as much as possible.
Stick to your tour group, rather than straying about.
Make yourself aware of the local weather and be prepared.
Keep a first aid kit ready with you at all times.
The Best Time to Visit
Given that the landscapes have been the way they are for a very long time, feel free to visit the place whenever you want. The park remains open all round the year, meaning that you can be flexible in your visit. At the same time however, it is advisable to come here during or just after the rainy season, if you’re interested in experiencing the waterfalls and pools. While you can still experience them during other times of the year, the wet season is by far the best.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you might not want to visit the place during summers. Given that temperatures can go as high as 40 degrees Celsius, it is better to visit the place when it is a lot cooler. If you can just keep yourself updated about the local weather, you can be well prepared for the visit. Also to note here is that the park is open throughout the year. There is no specific timing as such. It is however best if you visit the park during daytime if you want to experience the views.
Hotels near Karijini National Park
As much as Karijini is a great place to stay at, the number of stay options are rather scarce. There are a few hotels operating in the immediate vicinity of the park. The details of the same are given below. If you would like more choices, it is a good idea to stay at nearby urban centers like Perth and visit the park during the day.
LUXURY STAY – Karijini Eco Retreat
This is one of the most popular stays for those visiting the National Park. Run by the local Aboriginal people, it offers a great luxury stays for visitors inside the park. Offering excellent foods, a variety of stay options and being a stone’s throw away from the most wonderful views in Australia, the eco-retreat is a great place to stay at.
Room Type
• Non-Smoking Rooms
• Tents
Price
The prices for the rooms begin at around $160.
Facilities
The facilities that are available include Free Parking, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, breakfast, etc.
Contact
Address: Off Weano Road, Karijini National Park WA 6751, Australia
Phone: +61 8 9286 1731
Website: https://www.karijiniecoretreat.com.au