From Port Hedland we went inland to Dales Campground in Karijini National Park, 340km.
The scenery changes quite dramatically driving south from Port Hedland. The mountains of the Hamersley Range are striking against the flat plains.
Dales Campground, Karijini NP
In 2019 we stayed here and had an amazing time. The fee structure is a bit confusing, if you are staying overnight in the park, dont pay the entry rate at the gate, there is a reduced rate for campers. We would recommend contacting the information centre prior. At Dales Campground there are volunteer camp hosts on site, toilets and a dump point for van toilets, but no water, power, internet or phone signal. The camp sites are large with bush areas between each one. We didn’t see or hear any dingos this time.
The Karijini Information Centre is about 15km from Dales Campground and has rubbish and recycle bins and non potable water.
The Karijini Eco Retreat is about 45km from Dales Campground and has a restaurant, bar and most importantly showers are available for $5.
Ngirribungunha – Dales Gorge
Climbing gorges is one of our favourite things to do when we are not snorkelling. Dales Gorge is next to the camp ground and is so beautiful.
There are two entrances to the gorge, one at each end. One is via stairs at the southern end going down to the swimming holes, the other is straight over the side of the gorge at the northern end. So we started from the northern end.
The rock formations differ in each section of the gorge.
Jubula – Fortescue Falls is near the southern end of Dales Gorge, a great place for a swim.
A little further south is Jubura – Fern Pool, where we had a swim to cool off.
From here steps lead up to the top of the gorge and to the camp ground.
Weano Gorge
In 2019 we continued onto Handrail Pool (see our blog here), but not this time due to Tim’s shoulder injury.
Oxer Lookout
Jijingunha -Joffre Gorge
The last time we climbed into Joffre Gorge, there were no stairs. We climbed down (and up) clinging to the side of the rock faces.
Minhthukundi- Hamersley Gorge
The rock formations at Hamersley Gorge are the most striking in Karijini NP and the most beautiful we have seen.
Tom Price
We needed a couple of days in the mining town of Tom Price to do some washing and clean the Karijini dust from the inside of the van. But we drove quickly past the hospital having ended up there for several days in 2019.
Cheers til next time, Helen & Tim