4 DAY KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK ITINERARY

Karijini National Park, in the heart of Western Australia’s Pilbara, is a place of ancient landscapes carved over billions of years. With dramatic red gorges, sparkling waterfalls, and secluded swimming holes, it’s one of Australia’s most spectacular national parks.

A four-day visit gives you time to experience the park’s highlights at a relaxed pace — from iconic spots like Fern Pool and Circular Pool to the quieter, lesser-known gorges. This suggested itinerary is designed to help you plan your trip, whether you explore independently or join a guided tour.

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• Day 1: Arrival & Sunset
• Day 2: Weano & Joffre Gorges
• Day 3: Knox & Kalamina Gorges or Hamersley Gorge
• Day 4: Dales Gorge including Circular Pool, Fern Pool & Fortescue Falls
• Where to Stay
• Guided Tours

Image: Knox Gorge Sunset

Day 1 – Arrival and Orientation in Karijini National Park

Arrive in Karijini and settle into your chosen accommodation — options include Karijini Eco Retreat in the western section of the park, Dales Campground, or the Tom Price Tourist Park in nearby Tom Price, ready for day trips into the park itself. 

Begin your adventure at the Karijini Visitor Centre. Here you’ll find walking trail maps, important safety information, and cultural insights into the park’s landscapes and the Traditional Owners who have lived here for tens of thousands of years.

If time permits, take an afternoon walk to Fortescue Falls, the park’s only permanent waterfall, or enjoy a sunset lookout over the rugged Pilbara scenery. Knox Gorge Lookout is a fantastic new addition to Karijini National Park and one of the best spots in the state to watch the sun go down. The viewing platform gives you incredible 360-degree views over the landscape, and late afternoon is the perfect time to see the gorge lit up in warm, golden light.

Image: Swimming in Joffre Gorge

Day 2 – Explore Karijini’s Western Gorges and Pools

The western section of Karijini is home to some of the park’s most dramatic landscapes. Start at Weano Gorge, possibly the best introduction to Karijini. From the day use area, follow the trail to the Oxer Lookout with its views over the junction of Weano, Red, Handcock and Joffre Gorges. Walk further along the sloping trail with minor obstacles and a series of steps to the Oxer Lookout viewing platform.

Descend into Weano Gorge to follow the Upper Weano Gorge trail (Class 4, 1km, 45 minutes return) or Class 5 Lower Weano Gorge walk trail - for the adventurous! Weano Gorge is also home to the famous Handrail Pool. The 1.5km return Class 5 Handrail Pool trail in Weano Gorge starts as a fairly easy walk but becomes quite challenging with climbing involved to get down into Handrail Pool including steep cliffs and narrow walking passages. 

Image: Anton Wilk, Spacechameleon Adventure Co

For very experienced hikers, the Class 5 Hancock Gorge traverses steep metal stairs, uneven rock steps and numerous natural obstacles through towering rock walls to Kermits Pool. Join a canyoning tour with Spacechameleon Adventure Co - Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Red Gorge Adventure, Red Gorge Return or Weano Descent, to journey past the public areas of the park and delve deeper into Karijini's canyons. 

Pack a picnic to enjoy at the Weano day-use area before heading to Joffre Gorge in the afternoon. Its natural amphitheatre and curved rock formations make it one of Karijini’s most photogenic spots, and the cool waters are perfect for a late swim. Take in the view from the lookout near the carpark at Joffre Falls, or follow the walk trail to the bottom of the gorge to the first pool downstream of the waterfall (distance 1.5km, allow 2 hours return). 

Image: Knox Gorge, Karijini National Park

Day 3 – Karijini’s Central Highlights: Knox and Kalamina Gorges

Begin your morning at Knox Gorge, where the panorama from the lookout is enhanced by the early morning light. A short but steep descent leads into a dramatic chasm with red rock walls and seasonal pools. The Knox Gorge trail takes you here deep into the gorge to its rugged walls and enjoy the beauty of the tranquil pools below. This Class 5 trail is 2km return trail and typically takes 2 to 3 hours to complete, depending on your pace and how often you stop to appreciate the scenery.

Kalamina Gorge, a futher 17km to the east, offers a very picturesque gorge.  A five-minute walk takes you down a steep rocky track to the base of the gorge to a small permanent pool, complete with waterfall and draping ferns. There is a longer, more difficult walk for those who feel energetic. Allow about 3 hours return for the 3km walk. 

Image: Hamersley Gorge Karijini National Park

Alternative: Hamersley Gorge

Spend time at Hamersley Gorge, located in the north-west corner of the park. This gorge offers true drama, with its swirling, colourful rock formations and the natural spa pool making it a highlight for both photographers and swimmers. From the carpark, it's about 65m to the gorge lookout. A Class 4 trail (400m, 30 minute return) leads you along the Waterfall Walk, down to the pool at the base of the waterfall. On this walk you'll get an up-close view of the complex geological forces in the landscape. The Gorge Walk is also a Class 4 trail - allow 1 hour for this 1km return walk. Along this trail you'll also see the access for the famous spa pool. 

Jubura (Fern Pool) in Karijini National Park. Image: Greg Snell, Tourism Western Australia

Day 4 – Dales Gorge: Circular Pool, Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool

Finish your trip with a day in Dales Gorge, one of Karijini’s most popular areas. Walk the trail linking Circular Pool, Fortescue Falls, and Fern Pool — three of the park’s most iconic swimming and picnic spots. Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool are the only permanent waterfalls with pools beneath them - take time to swim beneath the waterfalls, relax in the shade of the ferns, and enjoy the tranquillity. The Gorge Rim Walk follows the rim of Dales Gorge all the way to Three Ways and Circular Pool Lookouts, before descending into the gorge. From here either follow the Dales Gorge Trail to Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool before climbing back up to the Fortescue Falls car park, or stick to the Gorge Rim Walk and spend time at the lookouts if you'd prefer not to descend into the gorge via the many steps. 

Image: Karijini Eco Retreat

Where to Stay in and Around Karijini National Park

• Karijini Eco Retreat – the only accommodation inside the western section of the park, offering eco tents, cabins, campsites and an on-site restaurant. Staying here puts you close to the western gorges.

• Dales Campground – a simple but well-located campground managed by Parks and Wildlife, near Fortescue Falls and Dales Gorge.

Image: Summerstar Tom Price Tourist Park. Image: CJ Maddock

• Tom Price – the nearest town to Karijini, offering motels and the Tom Price Tourist Park, which has air-conditioned cabins, caravan and camping sites, and facilities such as a camp kitchen. A convenient base for supplies and fuel.

• Newman – located on the inland route from Perth, Newman makes a practical overnight stop before or after visiting Karijini. The town has motels, hotels, and caravan parks catering to travellers.

Image: Spacechameleon Adventure Co. Image: Anton Wilk

Guided Tours in Karijini National Park

Joining a guided tour is a great way to explore Karijini more deeply and safely. Local operators offer canyoning, hiking, and day tours that take you beyond the standard walks.

• Spacechameleon Adventure Co – canyoning adventures into some of Karijini’s most challenging and rewarding gorges, perfect for thrill-seekers.

• Go West Tours – day tours from Tom Price, with transport and guiding included for a hassle-free way to see the highlights

Find more information on planning your visit on our main Karijini National Park page.

Plan Your Karijini National Park Adventure

Four days in Karijini National Park allows you to experience a balance of iconic highlights and quieter corners, with time to swim, walk, and simply take in the scenery. Whether you choose to self-drive and explore at your own pace or join an experienced guide, Karijini promises an unforgettable outback adventure.