I can't believe we almost missed this little gem. It wasn't on our to do list. In fact, I actually had never heard of it before until Smithy, a bloke from the footy club, highly recommended it just days prior to us leaving. But we absolutely loved Karijini National Park ❤️. We embraced its attributes of no power or telephone service but plenty of deep, red soil (that managed to instil itself on and in every crook and cranny), plenty of flies and softly-scented drop toilets.
I was nervous going to Karijini National Park (9/10) with a number of people warning me to hold onto the kids telling me it was dangerous and treacherous terrain. It's true there has been a number of instances normally due to the uneducated person making stupid decisions such as hiking during or following rain even though there are signs everywhere warning you not to. However there are a couple of stories that makes you appreciate the dangers associated with this rugged outback. In 2011 a seven-year-old boy slipped under a fence line and his father jumped to save him only to lose his own life. The son is a paraplegic. That family was often in my thoughts as we walked. They were an ordinary family, doing what we were doing and enjoying life in this amazing place. Just another constant reminder that life is pretty short and how important it is to live life to the fullest.
Dales Gorge - on our way down, down, down. Tom can be a little erratic while walking throwing an odd twirl or stumble in. We ensured he always had someone's hand. He amazingly walked the few hours each day without complaining.
But Wirlankarra Yanama. Yurlu Nyinku Mira Yurndarirda which means "Go with a clear, open and accepting spirit and the country will not do you badly."
There are only two campgounds in Karijini - Eco Resort and Dales Campground. We stayed at Dales Campground. It's operated by volunteers and has large, sparsely spread-out sites giving you the feeling that you are in the middle of nowhere. And there is absolutely nothing else - no shops, no bread, no power and no milk (we discovered after finishing ours on day one) . It's therefore important to ensure you have enough food, water and beer to get you through your visit. There is a water tank but it is not drinking water and it is about 7km from the campground - oh and you have to navigate a hive of wasps to turn the tap on. Strangely enough that was always my job (Matt was obviously scared!)
We spent the three days in Karijini walking gorges and swimming in water holes. And every time you felt you had found such a beautiful gorge or watering hole there would be another one just as magnificent. You simply couldn't tire of it. There was literally a hidden oasis around every corner. (The downside being the 50 plus kms of red dirt between every corner).
What a way to wake up each morning - we slept with all windows opened and would fall to sleep watching the stars and wake to this each morning.
We slept with the windows open and woke with the sun shining through out windows (windows is a bit posh when it was really only fly screens.)
Kermit's Pool - not sure of the name; maybe because it's a little green. We purchased some water shoes while we're snorkelling in Coral Bay and they have been really handy! They were needed for this trek as parts were through water on sharp stones.
On the first day we walked just over 10 km around Dales Gorge. We followed the rim of the gorge between Circular Pool and Fortescue Falls and then we swam in Fern Pool which had a waterfall that acted as a shower. Surprisingly the water was rather warm and once you ignored the fish nibbling on your toes it was amazing (and our shower for the day). That afternoon after a meal of two-minute noodles and zooper doopers we went to Oxers Lookout and Joffre Lookout. We collapsed into bed after some fierce rounds of Uno at about 7:30pm. With a geography and outdoor education teacher accompanying us (the Raudys - our friends we have met on the way), the kids got the added bonus of an invaluable lesson on the way.
Our morning shower....
Dayles Gorge - it was a beautiful day for a stroll.
The next day we drove 100km on a mostly unsealed road to Hammersley Gorge - we swam at the pool and after having a magnificent couple of hours we decided to venture over the waterfall and found a secret little pool (I don't think it had a name.) That was probably my highlight. It was a tiny albeit very deep pool with a trickling waterfall hidden away. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo as we had to swim and climb to get there so my camera was left at camp.
Kermit's pool - after the spider walk we relaxed and had the pool to ourselves. Our own little oasis.
After a lunch of sausages in bread - and as we were on bread rations the kids had to have two sausages In one piece of bread - we continued onto Hancock Gorge and we did the spider walk. This was a class 5 walk (the hardest). It wasn't very long but a bit tricky in areas. Tom managed it well with a bit of help. At times we were battling, passing him along to ensure he was ok while all Tom was worried about was the next rock to collect....
Along the track... the colours were magnificent.
Surprisingly, after all the magnificent beaches the kids absolutely loved Karijini and voted it the best so far. It was also good to be off social media for three days although I had moments of panic that if anything happened back home nobody could contact us.
We have left Karijini and will make away back to the coast!
Hammersley Gorge - Bella and Ella swam right to the edge - no wonder we were asleep by 7:30pm.
Looks like a pretty good place for a dip!
Walk break!
Following the path.