Karijini National Park
Gorges, waterfalls and swimming holes in the Hamersley Ranges of the Pilbara, best visited May to September.
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Karijini National Park sits in the Hamersley Ranges of the Pilbara, in northwestern Western Australia, about 1,055 km from Perth. At 627,422 hectares, it is the state's second largest national park, after Karlamilyi National Park. It was called Hamersley Range National Park until 1991, so older maps may still show that name. The Banyjima, Kurrama and Innawonga Aboriginal peoples are its traditional home. Banyjima people name the Hamersley Range Karijini, meaning 'hilly place'.
Visitors come for gorges, slot canyons, waterfalls and water holes, where some swim in cold pools. The northern half holds the main gorges and waterfalls, reached by sealed and gravel roads. The southern half has no sealed access roads. A railway corridor and the Marandoo iron ore mine divide the two halves. May to September is best, with warm days and cold nights. Summer regularly tops 38 °C and often passes 40 °C, which makes it less practical and adds bushfire risk. Paraburdoo Airport is about 100 km away and Newman Airport about 263 km, and hire cars are available from both.
Karijini National Park in five
- Visit in the cooler dry monthsDBCA says summer temperatures frequently top 40 degrees Celsius, and November to April is tropical cyclone season. Gorge pools can be extremely cold from April to September, so pack for chilly water.Karijini National Park
- Book Dales Campground or the Eco Retreat earlyDales Campground has 153 unpowered sites and bookings are essential, up to 180 days ahead. Karijini Eco Retreat offers glamping and tours; its restaurant does not operate from 1 November to 31 March.Dales Campground
- Match the gorge to your fitnessTrails WA grades the Hancock Gorge trail Class 5, 1.5 km, taking 1 to 3 hours with a spider walk, and the Dales Gorge trail Class 4, 2 km. DBCA calls Kalamina Gorge a good introduction.Hancock Gorge on Trails WA
- Stay out of gorges when it rainsDBCA warns flash floods can occur and visitors should not enter gorges if rain is in the area. Cliff edges are about 100 m high with loose rock, and Yampire and Wittenoom Gorges contain blue asbestos.
- Carry water, fuel and a personal beaconThe park is in very remote Australia, drinking water is not provided at Dales and DBCA suggests carrying a personal location beacon. Dingoes are common near Dales Campground, so store food in your vehicle.
Things to do in Karijini National Park
See all attractions in Karijini National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- $17 per vehicle (up to 12 occupants); $10 concession or motorcycle Read more
- Permits
- Park pass or entry fee; Dales Campground bookings essential
- Season
- Open all year; cooler May to September; cyclone season Nov to Apr
- Nearest town
- Tom Price; Karijini Visitor Centre inside the park
- Getting there
- Tom Price is about 1,500 km (16 hours) north of Perth by road
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear7 rainy daysHigh35°Low28°Hot, cyclone riskJanuaryClear
Poor
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, cyclone risk
- FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh35°Low28°Hot, cyclone riskFebruaryClear
Poor
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, cyclone risk
- MarchClear4 rainy daysHigh36°Low28°Hot, cyclone riskMarchClear
Poor
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, cyclone risk
- AprilClear2 rainy daysHigh34°Low26°Hot, cyclone endsAprilClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, cyclone ends
- MayClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low21°Warm, dryMayClear
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 26 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Mild, cold poolsJuneClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, cold pools
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°Mild, cold poolsJulyClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, cold pools
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh28°Low18°Warm, dryAugustClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh31°Low21°Hot, drySeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- OctoberClear0 rainy daysHigh34°Low24°Very hot, dryOctoberClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot, dry
- NovemberClear0 rainy daysHigh34°Low26°Very hot, cyclonesNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot, cyclones
- DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh36°Low28°Very hot, cyclonesDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot, cyclones
Average daily high and low in Tom Price, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Karijini National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
31
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 11%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Karijini National Park
01:03 PM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today38°22°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 38°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed39°24°4%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 39°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Thu40°25°44%Thursday: Drizzle. High 40°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 44%.
- Fri40°24°53%Friday: Rain. High 40°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Sat36°22°69%Saturday: Drizzle. High 36°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sun36°21°29%Sunday: Drizzle. High 36°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Mon36°20°6%Monday: Drizzle. High 36°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 09:21 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.428 AUD
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Dales Gorge and Fortescue Fallsa half or full dayA creek-side gorge walk past waterfalls and pools; Dales Campground is nearby.
- Hamersley Gorgea half dayA colorful gorge with layered rock and a swimming spot, listed by DBCA.
- Mount Brucea half dayViews over the Hamersley Range and the Marandoo mining operations, listed by DBCA.
Before you go to Karijini National Park
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Rules for Karijini National Park, checked
- Standard vehicle entry is $17 (up to 12 occupants), concession $10, motorcycle $10; a valid park pass covers the entry fee.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Do not enter gorges if there is rain in the area; flash floods can occur. Blue asbestos is present in Yampire and Wittenoom Gorges.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Dales Campground: bookings are essential, up to 180 days ahead; no campfires at any time; carry all waste out.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Karijini National Park
Cable Beach and the Kimberley gateway to the north
Read the guideWest Coast AustraliaPerth to Ningaloo and the long road north
Read the guidePerthFlights, hire cars and the start of the road
Read the guideAll of AustraliaETA, regions, flights and money basics
Read the guideFlights and car hireLong distances and one-way rentals
Read the guideeSIM and data optionsCoverage is patchy in the Pilbara
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for remote travel and evacuations
Read the guideKarijini National Park FAQ
How many days do you need at Karijini?
Two nights give time for Dales Gorge and one of the harder gorges. Three or four nights suit hikers who want the full set of gorges and a rest day.
When is the best time to visit Karijini?
May to September is the cooler stretch; summer often tops 40 degrees Celsius and November to April is cyclone season. Pools can be very cold in winter.
How much does Karijini National Park cost?
DBCA lists $17 per standard vehicle with up to 12 occupants, $10 for concession vehicles and motorcycles. A valid park pass covers entry, and camping fees are extra.
Can you swim in Karijini?
Yes in many gorge pools, but DBCA warns the water can be extremely cold, especially April to September, and not to dive or jump. Do not enter gorges if rain is in the area.
Do you need to book camping at Karijini?
Yes. Dales Campground bookings are essential and can be made up to 180 days ahead for one campsite. The Eco Retreat also needs bookings.