Dales Gorge / Fortescue Falls area
Karijini National Park, Australia
Home to gentler walks to Fern Pool and Fortescue Falls.
Explore Karijini National Park
Karijini National Park — TL;DR
Karijini National Park features gorges of ancient rock with cool swimming holes and spectacular waterfalls, making it one of Australia's most dramatic destinations, located approximately 1,400km north of Perth where a semi-arid plateau dramatically drops away into cavernous gorge
Karijini National Park at a glance
- What are the best things to do in Karijini National Park? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Karijini National Park trip feel like more than a checklist.
- How many days do you need in Karijini National Park? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Karijini National Park — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for…
- When is the best time to visit Karijini National Park? May to September (dry season), avoiding the extreme heat of the semi-arid plateau\
- Where should I stay in Karijini National Park for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
- How do you get around Karijini National Park? Paraburdoo Airport (about 100km away) or Newman Airport (263km away) are the nearest airports, with a hire car needed to reach the park and its seven main gorges.
Karijini National Park overview
- May to September (dry season), avoiding the extreme heat of the semi-arid plateau's summer months for safer gorge hiking.
- Paraburdoo Airport (about 100km away) or Newman Airport (263km away) are the nearest airports, with a hire car needed to reach the park and its seven main gorges.
- Australian Dollar (A$)
- English. Aboriginal languages are spoken in some communities.
- AWST (UTC+8)
- Karijini's seven main gorges, from Weano and Hancock to Dales and Hamersley, continue to draw hikers and climbers seeking trails for every fitness level, with the challenging Class 5 'Spiderwalk' through Hancock Gorge remaining a bucket-list trail, while the Karijini Eco Retreat's Outback Restaurant, featuring WA produce and native bush foods, reflects a growing focus on quality dining even in this remote 1,400km-from-Perth destination.
Where to eat, drink & do in Karijini National Park
Karijini National Park neighborhoods
- Karijini Eco Retreat area Offers eco-friendly glamping accommodations with stunning views, home to the licensed Karijini Outback Restaurant.
- Hancock Gorge / Weano Gorge district Home to the challenging Class 5 'Spiderwalk' and Weano Gorge, among the park's most spectacular trails.
- Dales Gorge / Fortescue Falls area Home to gentler walks to Fern Pool and Fortescue Falls.
Practical info for Karijini National Park
- Getting around in Karijini National Park? Paraburdoo Airport (about 100km away) or Newman Airport (263km away) are the nearest airports, with a hire car needed to reach the park and its seven main gorges.
- When to go in Karijini National Park? May to September (dry season), avoiding the extreme heat of the semi-arid plateau's summer months for safer gorge hiking.
- What's changing now in Karijini National Park? Karijini's seven main gorges, from Weano and Hancock to Dales and Hamersley, continue to draw hikers and climbers seeking trails for every fitness level, with the challenging Class 5 'Spiderwalk' through Hancock Gorge remaining a bucket-lis
- Seek out Fern Pool and Fortescue Falls in Karijini National Park? Gentle walks offering a quieter, more accessible alternative to the challenging Spiderwalk across Hancock Gorge.
- Base yourself in Karijini Eco Retreat area in Karijini National Park? Offers eco-friendly glamping accommodations with stunning views, home to the licensed Karijini Outback Restaurant. Known for premier eco-glamping and dining base.
Frequently asked questions about Karijini National Park
- What are the best things to do in Karijini National Park? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Karijini National Park trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Karijini National Park tends to reward.
- How many days do you need in Karijini National Park? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Karijini National Park — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
- When is the best time to visit Karijini National Park? May to September (dry season), avoiding the extreme heat of the semi-arid plateau\
- Where should I stay in Karijini National Park for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
- How do you get around Karijini National Park? Paraburdoo Airport (about 100km away) or Newman Airport (263km away) are the nearest airports, with a hire car needed to reach the park and its seven main gorges.
Practical notes for Karijini National Park
- Best time to visit
- May to September (dry season), avoiding the extreme heat of the semi-arid plateau's summer months for safer gorge hiking.
- Getting around
- Paraburdoo Airport (about 100km away) or Newman Airport (263km away) are the nearest airports, with a hire car needed to reach the park and its seven main gorges.
- Currency
- Australian Dollar (A$)
- Language
- English. Aboriginal languages are spoken in some communities.
- Timezone
- AWST (UTC+8)
- Current trends
- Karijini's seven main gorges, from Weano and Hancock to Dales and Hamersley, continue to draw hikers and climbers seeking trails for every fitness level, with the challenging Class 5 'Spiderwalk' through Hancock Gorge remaining a bucket-list trail, while the Karijini Eco Retreat's Outback Restaurant, featuring WA produce and native bush foods, reflects a growing focus on quality dining even in this remote 1,400km-from-Perth destination.
Other neighborhoods in Karijini National Park
Read the full Karijini National Park guide