Karijini National Park- Pilbura, WA

From Broome, we hit the road south in what will be a long journey down the WA coast. We had a night at one of the rest stops (De Grey River) before heading inland to Karijini National Park. This was one place Chris had been looking forward to as parts of the park are 2-3 billion years old. It is an ancient place and the rock formations and gorges are great. It’s a big park so even on our ‘rest days’ we were driving a couple of hundred kilometres. Lucky the girls are coping well with the car travel. We stayed at Dales Campground, run by National Parks. It’s very quiet at the moment but I’ve heard it is absolultely packed in June/July. We visited Hammersly Gorge and had a nice swim. Finally we are out of croc country! The water was cool and refreshing and safe. It was so nice to not have to worry about crocs and tell the kids they could jump on in.


2.5 billion year old rocks

The beautiful Hammersly Gorge

Croc Free Swimming!

Caitlin excited to be here

Sami getting very good at her rock hopping

The walks in Karijini can be challenging- most are grade 4 or 5’s which usually means clambering over rocks, wading through water and sometimes going for a short swim to get to the other side. The dry bag came out for Chris’s camera a few times here! The following  day Chris, Sophia & Sam walked into Weano Gorge while Caitlin & I walked a short way in before finding a nice spot by the waterhole to wait for our walkers. Chris said the girls were great hikers and climbers, scrambling over 2.5 billion year old rocks that were twisted and sculpted over the many years before they arrived at Handrail Pool.

 

Sophia & Sam taking on the gorge

 

Next walk was Hancock Gorge. Chris and Samantha checked out that one. They were rewarded with a lovely swim at the end at Kermits Pool. The rangers we saw on the way out were impressed that Sam could manage the walk. They went as far as they could go before it became a grade 6 walk which involves ropes, a licensed guide etc. The photos are beautfiful. We really enjoyed our 3 day stay here. It’s never quite enough time to see everything so we will be back to this part of the world again to take another look. After leaving Karijini we stopped off at Tom Price, a mining town on the west side of the park. We knew this was our best chance of stocking up on supplies and filling up the water tank before heading to the coast again. After our longest day driving yet (700kms) we made it from Karijini to Coral Bay. More on that in the next post.

Sisters helping each other

Caitlin & I waiting patiently for our walkers

Sam having a swim during the Hancock Gorge walk