Information wanted with Trip to Karijini NP WA

[Laurie Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Laurie]

Greetings all- thoroughly enjoy reading all the great info and very grateful for all the tips and advice

Hiring a trailer mid May to go to Karijini NP, Exmouth and down thru Cape Range, Coral Bay and Warroora and was hoping someone may have trip notes or suggested route that will get us back home in 2.5 weeks ?

Advice and any suggestions would be appreciated as well

PS Have tried the search button without luck

[HGMonaro Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close HGMonaro]

When we went last year the Dales Gorge campsite filled up by about 1:30pm. We were warned about it which is why we got there early, however what we weren't told about is the overflow campsite is fine, and actually has a water tank where Dales Gorge didn't. There seemed to be quite a bit of space still so if you can't get there until later, don't stress. Go to the overflow and then move to the main camping area the next day if you deem it necessary (you may decide not to!). We did a day trip to Weano Gorge from Dales.

We would have liked to spend extra time around Exmouth (or Cape Range more specifically) The 'drift' at Turquoise Bay is a fantasic spot. We'd phoned ahead to book in at Coral Bay. In hindsight we should have phoned and tried to delay our booking for a day or so.

Nige.

[Laurie Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Laurie]

Thanks Nige

We have been to Coral Bay and Exmouth a few times but now with the hired camper intend to spend a few days away from power south of Turquoise and maybe Windabandi ?

Any experience around there ?

Weano looks great - thanks for that

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

We did a very similar trip to what you are proposing in July 2003 and we were also at Karijini in the middle of last year.

In 2003 we went up through Mount Augustus and then through the back blocks to Tom Price via Dooly Downs and Pingandy. It’s a fairly isolated track through that neck of the woods so you need to be prepared.

The road is winding in places with lots of dips and crests just north of the Mount Augustus Tourist Resort so you have to be careful, particularly at dusk due to cattle and oncoming vehicles.

In 2003 we stayed at the Savannah camp in Karijini but it has changed considerably since then and is now run as an eco retreat by a private company, while Dales is run by DEC.

When we visited last year we found that both camp sites try and ignore the other and communication between them is almost non existent as we were told at Dales that Savannah was full and heading out there was probably not worth the risk.

As a result we stayed overnight in the overflow campground just outside Dales and then got a site the next day in Dales itself. We later drove out to Savannah and found they had loads of space.

Savannah has more facilities as it is set up for the eco tourist with lots of money, but if you like the more basic arrangements Dales will suit.

From Karijini we drove to Exmouth via Nanutarra. We stayed at Exmouth overnight and then drove down along the coast, crossing Yardie Creek and camping at Winderabanda Point which was highlight.

From there we drove to Coral Bay which was a good run. Coral Bay was a nightmare due to the school holidays, the sewer system overflowed and police stopped vehicles from entering town about 2kms out and you had to walk in.

We came out onto the bitumen just inside the road block and were able to drive into town OK but left as soon as possible due to the crowds.

The whole trip took 10 days, with some long stretches of driving (particularly Mt Augustus to Tom Price), but we also had lots of time in Karijini to explore.

It would definitely pay to check the condition of Yardie Creek before you decide to head that way, it can be impassable at times or the sand can be very deep particularly if towing a trailer.

[Laurie Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Laurie]

Thanks Rainman - great info much appreciated

Have read about Dooly Rd and wasn't going that way as we don't have enough experience or equipment. Plan is to go up the coast stopping along the way to Exmouth , then Karijini and back down the Great Northern stopping overnight at Cue

We intend stopping in Karijini for four nights as we have heard so many people say it is close to the best ?

Coral Bay sounds like it was fun
Have heard people tow caravans over Yardi so it must vary a lot - will check close to the day

Thanks for the info and advice

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

Make sure you do the walk from Fortescue Falls to Circular Pool, its only a couple of kilometres but well worth it.

Take your bathers and have a swim at either end, but be warned, Circular Pool doesnt get any direct sunlight so you may come out a soprano.

You can warm yourself up however with a warm shower from the water that falls into the pool, its one of lifes great experiences, freeze your ar$e off in the water then climb up and have a warm shower. See pic


Circular Pool hot shower


Fortescue Falls

Another must is Weano Gorge. It takes a bit of getting too, but well worth it. This last time I was almost able to get right to the end of the gorge, past Handrail Pool to the last pool before it drops down into the gorge. In 1985 I was able to get right to the end. Now its all rated according to difficulty so it depends on how daring you feel. There have been several accidents and a death in Karijini in recent years.


Handrail Pool Weano Gorge

[Laurie Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Laurie]

Wow - it seems that all I have heard is true

Thank you so much for your trouble - its looking like 4 days should be the minimum

Great photos - you must have a waterproof bag which I wouldn't have thought of

[muzza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close muzza]

of course

of course an absolute must is Emerald Pool which a 100 yards up from Fortescue Falls...the prettiest swimming hole i have ever seen in Australia and in a spectacular location.

So climb down to Fortescue Falls...walk a 100 yds up river to Emerald Pool and then go back to Fortescue Falls, climb down to the bottom of the falls and take a lovely walk through to Circular Pool...then take the stairs back up to Dales Gorde campground.

The Savannah campground is the best.

From there you can visit several of the most spectatcular gorges and even have a shower.

[Laurie Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Laurie]

Thanks Muzza

That sort of info is exactly what we hoped for

Thanks for responding

regards and best wishes

[Luke Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Luke]

Hey Laurie,

I'm doing a similar trip myself in late May, although I'll be detouring north to South Hedland to catch up with a mate.

You might want to check out the Warlu Way - it featured in The West Australian's caravan and camping show liftout a couple of weeks ago. Here's a link in case you can't source a copy of the liftout:

http://www.indigenoustourism.australia. ... p?sub=0664

This looks pretty magic. Unfortunately I'll have to do it another time because of the South Hedland detour.

If you go to Coral Bay and have kids, I'd recommend the quad bike tour to Oyster Bridge. Not cheap at all but great fun.

[Laurie Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Laurie]

Thanks Luke

Saw that article and also the TV show - it looks great but we don't have time
Plan is to tow a hired camper trailer to somewhere around Overlander first day and then on to Warroora for 4 days, Windibandi thru Cape Range 7 days and Karijini for 5 days
This will be our first adventure away from power and carrying our own water etc
Usually stop at Coral Bay and LH Caravan Park but getting more adventurous as we get older

Regards Laurie

[Luke Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Luke]

I assumed you're packing a fishing rod - the fishing at Warroora is meant to be ace.