11th October
This national park, in the Pilbara has the most amazing gorges and some of the most stunning scenery we have seen on the trip so far.
The gorges were very all different. We saw awesome rock formations and amazing colours and reflections. The walks were fun and challenging – scrambling along ledges, climbing down ladders, rock hopping and wading through water. And most walks finished with a beautiful pool for swimming.
The first gorge we visited was Dale’s Gorge. We walked along the rim, overlooking the red, stepped gorge walls, circular pool and Fortesque Falls.
We then went down into the gorge and walked along the gorge floor and finished up with a swim at Fortesque Falls.
The lookouts at each of the gorges are stunning, but really put my fear of edges to the test!! The view of Joffre Gorge from the lookout was gorgeous, with a green pool in the middle leading to a big circular pool at one end, and a river snaking through the gorge in the other direction. Knox Gorge is very deep, with beautiful red gorge walls. But the lookouts hang right over into the gorges and looking down from that height just makes me feel sick!! I’m surprised I even managed to get photos.
Knox Gorge was an extremely steep climb down into.
And some narrow ledges to negotiate.
It had really high walls, creating beautiful reflections in the water on the gorge floor.
Weano Gorge, to the west of Knox and Joffre’s was narrow with steep walls.
The highlight was Handrail pool at the end. It was so steep they have built a handrail to climb down into it.
In the same area as Weano Gorge, Hancock Gorge was our favourite!!
High gorge walls and nice reflections…
Wading through water, climbing ladders and negotiating along narrow ledges…
The kids loved clambering along the walls in the ‘spider walk’ section…
Kermit’s pool at the end was just sublime. The gorge walls came together so the pool was sort in a cave. And we had it to ourselves!!
Beyond Kermit’s pool, you could look out to the pools in the gorge further below. The colours were just stunning!!
Hammersley Gorge, in the north-west of the park had the most amazing colours, both on the gorge wall and in the reflections on the water.
The geographical layering, folding and buckling of the rocks was incredible.
Up the top, there were pretty waterfalls.
There was a cool “spa pool” reached through a hole in the gorge wall. It was only small, but really deep!! Water poured through a donut shaped hole that was heated by the sun, creating a warm waterfall.
The two campsites we stayed at – Dale’s wand Karijini Eco Lodge both had a great bush setting. We got beautiful afternoon colours!! Nice places to chill out after a day of hiking.
The birdlife was great too.
And even just driving just driving through the park is breathtaking.
Karijini is definitely one of the most scenic places we have visited!!!
The Travelling Dixons 