Morning Coffee at Cheela Plains Station.

Drive to Summerstar Tourist Park, Tom Price [1 hour, 40mins].

Bookings essential

Check-in at Summerstar Tourist Park (check-in is at 2pm but you can leave bags with reception).

Room Type: Marandoo Cabin – Motel style room with aircon, ensuite, microwave, gas stove, fridge, TV/DVD.

10:45

Drive to Hamersley Gorge [approx. 45mins each way]

What to pack:

Water, food, swim wear, towels, swim equipment (e.g. Pool noodle), camera, etc.

What to expect:

Hamersley Gorge Walk

Class 4: 1-3 Hours: 1km: Bush Walk

Click on the Link to Trails WA for up-to-date information.

Getting there:

1. Depart town on Bingarn Road (past the fuel station, under the bridge, over the bridge for 26km). 
2. At the T junction turn right onto the Nanutarra-Munjina Road and travel for 41km (beware a right hand turn after 21km’s says Hamersley Range and you are going to Hamersley Gorge, do not turn there).
3. When you get to the Hamersley Gorge turn off and continue for another 10km which will take you through the Rio Tinto Gorge.   

This is a pretty drive and from time to time you will see Rock Wallabies or Kangaroos on the rock face.   

When you have finished viewing the Rio Tinto Gorge area turn around and head back to the Hamersley Gorge turn off. 

At Hamersley Gorge turn off and drive down a 5km winding road to the carpark where you will find a beautiful rock wall, great for photos.   

This is a dramatic gorge, full of colour texture and reflections and a great spot for a swim.

Hamersley Gorge is in the north-west of Karijini, further afield than the other gorges.

Swirls of rock sweep down through the gorge and waterfalls rush into tranquil pools. There have been improvements to the site including sealed road access to the lower car park, a new constructed lookout, toilet and various infrastructure items.

If you have a floatation device e.g. noodle this would be a great place to use it.

Swim left down the stream between the beautiful rock walls, remembering you must swim back to exit the gorge. 

Great area for a picnic at the bottom and also has toilet facilities.

Spa Pool – Approach from the top as it is safest, there is a ladder to assist your descent into the beautiful blue Spa Pool.

17:00

Depart Hamersley Gorge and retrace your steps to Tom Price or stay/camp the night in Karijini National Park or Karijini Eco Retreat

06:30

Depart - grab a coffee the spectacular drive

07:00

Drive to Karijini Eco Retreat in Karijini National Park [approx. 1hr]

Getting there:

1. Head South out of town past the big ruck on the Tom Price-Paraburdoo Road and follow this road for 10km.
2. Turn left onto Karijini Drive and continue for 34km.
3. Turn left at the Marandoo Mine, go over the railway track, and follow this road for another 6km.
4. Turn left at Banjima Road West into the Karijini National Park.
5. Continue for 26km.
   Note - approximately 2km in you will need to stop and purchase your Nationals Parks Pass ($11 for the vehicle) unless you have pre-purchased it online. Your pass should be displayed on your vehicle’s dashboard for the duration of your visit.
6. When you get to the end of the sealed road continue for 3km on the unsealed road then turn right into Karijini Eco Retreat.

08:00

Drop your luggage at Karijini Eco Retreat (check-in is after 2pm). 

Prepare for a day trip to Oxer & Junction Lookouts, Hancock Gorge, Kermits Pool, Knox Gorge, Joffre Gorge and Joffre Falls/

Take this time to have a snack you have pre-prepared.

What to bring:

Good walking shoes, hat, swim wear, towels, water, camera, snacks, insect repellent etc.

08:30

Drive to Oxer & Junction Lookout [approx. 40mins]

At Junction Pool Lookout, Weano Gorge, Hancock Gorge and Red Gorge all meet at a viewing platform that is extremely spectacular.

Oxer Lookout offers breathtaking panoramic views of four amazing gorges. The lookout stands at the junction of the Joffre Gorge, Weano Gorge, Red Gorge and Hancock Gorge.

09:15

Hancock Gorge (with Kermits Pool)

What To Expect

Class 5 Walks: High Activity Level: 1.5km: Half Day

These trails are difficult and a high level of fitness and agility is required.

Follow the track to Hancock Gorge, down the ladder, and through to the Amphitheatre.  From here go through the Spider Walk to Kermits Pool.

Signage along the track is minimal but there is no room for error as the track goes in one location.

Follow the link to learn more about this walk at Hancock Gorge (with Kermits Pool)

12:00

Drive Oxer Lookout to Knox Gorge [approx. 45min]

Heading back to the Banjima West sealed road turn left and follow the road for approximately 2km.

Turn left and follow the road for 6km to Knox Gorge.

12:45

Stop for a spot of lunch at Knox Gorge Lookout.

There are plenty of rocks under the shady trees to stop for a bite to eat, however the closest toilet facilities are located at Karijini Eco Retreat.

14:00

Depart Knox Gorge for Joffre Gorge which is home to the spectacular Joffre Falls lookout [approx. 15mins]

14:15

At Joffre Falls Lookout take the rock steps down to view this spectacular curved waterfall.  

14:45

Depart Joffre Falls Lookout and return to the Karijini Eco Retreat for a few drinks and to watch the sunset.

19:00

Make a dinner reservation at the Karijini Eco Retreat Restaurant before you retire to your glamping tent underneath the dark skies of the Pilbara.

06:00

The 9km return Mount Bruce Summit Trail is located in the Karijini National Park and allows great opportunities to view the surrounding Hamersley Range and Marandoo mining operations.

This Grade 5 moderately steep trail follows a clearly marked path along the ridge of the mountain with a couple of challenging rocky climbs to negotiate.

Check out of Karijini Eco Retreat or depart accommodation/camp

06:15

Drive to Mt Bruce [approx. 45mins]

1. Exit the Karijini Eco Retreat, turn right onto the unsealed road and follow this for 3km unsealed and 26km sealed to the Karijini National Park exit.
2. Turn left and then right (appox 500m between turns).  Follow the unsealed road for 3km to the car park at Mt Bruce.

Have a snack to boost your energy for the trek to the top, dont forget water and to wear appropriate footwear, and a good hat.

06:45

What to bring:

Good walking shoes, hat, swim wear, towels, water (1 - 2 litres per person), camera, snacks, insect repellent etc.

What to expect:

Class 5 Walks: High Activity Level: 9km: Half Day

These trails are difficult and a high level of fitness and agility is required.

Only walk as far as you feel comfortable. 

12:00

Drive to Circular Pool at Dales Gorge [approx. 30mins]

·       Exit the Mt Bruce unsealed road, turn right onto Karijini Drive and continue for 39km to the Banjima Drive East entrance.

·       Your park pass should still be displayed on your vehicle.

12:30

Park at the Circular Pools day use area. 

What to expect:

Gorge Rim Walk, Dales Gorge, Pilbara, Karijini - Trails WA

Class 4 Walk - These walks are well defined with some steps and generally gradients are gentle

12:30

 Drive to Fortescue Falls [approx. 15mins]

What to bring:

Good walking shoes, hat, swim wear, towels, water, camera, snacks, insect repellent etc.

What to expect:

Class 3-4 Walks  

3 – Trails are defined and may include steps; loose surfaces; uneven ground and short, steep sections. 

4 – Trails are moderately difficult and over variable surfaces.

12:45

Walk down the structured steps (with handrails and seating) into Fortescue Falls [approx. 1hr return]

Fortescue Falls – Walk down approx. 300 structured steps with handrails and seating along the way.  Climb down the rocks to get to the water.

Enjoy your lunch by the falls.

Fern Pool – Bearing right at the base of the steps walk about 300 steps to Fern Pool.

15:30

Drive to the Karijini Visitor Centre approximately 10km from Fortescue Falls, signposted. 

16:00

Depart to overnight accommodation at Cheela Plains Station

Once you have exited the Karijini National Park, via the Banjima Dr East, turn right and follow the signs back to Tom Price and continue on to Cheela Plains Station.

18:00

   Check-in at Cheela Plains Station

19:30

Enjoy the wonderful Cheela Plains Station restaurant for dinner and drinks.