7 Of The Best Gorges In Karijini National Park

We’ve been to Karijini a few times and, honestly, it still blows us away every time!

It’s an ancient natural masterpiece with approximately a dozen gorges to check out, some even with crystal-clear pools, perfect for a refreshing swim (free of crocs btw)!

We’ll share our personal top 7 below – from the wild adventure of Weano Gorge and its famous Handrail Pool to the accessible Dales Gorge.

So if it’s your first time in Karijini (or third), don’t miss these spots!

Plus, you don’t even need a 4WD to visit them anymore. Just make sure to bring a floatie and waterproof shoes – you’ll thank us later.

Our 7 favourite Karijini National Park gorges

1) Hamersley Gorge

Possibly the most famous of them all, Hamersley Gorge is absolutely gorgeous, with all kinds of bright colours on the gorge’s walls.

As you walk through the gorge, you’ll be led to the iconic spa pool – a natural pool in the middle of the desert!

Getting to Hamersley is pretty straightforward, it’s about a 1h20m drive from the visitor centre. There’s a car park but no toilets or other facilities, so come prepared with water, snacks, and anything else you need.

The walk to the gorge is relatively short compared to other gorges (400m, 20 minutes). It’s steep and a bit rocky though, so bring sturdy shoes!

The spa pool is the main attraction, but there’s so much more to Hamersley Gorge! The gorge goes on for miles, with several pools on the way.

Honestly, it’s worth spending at least half a day there if you’re keen on exploring. And don’t forget your floatie!

2) Weano Gorge (Handrail Pool)

Weano Gorge was a massive standout for us, especially the trek to Handrail Pool, which is easily one of the most unique swimming spots in Karijini!

You’ll find the trailhead at the Weano Day Use Area, about a 40-minute drive from the visitor centre on sealed and gravel roads (accessible with a 2WD).

There are toilets, picnic tables, and shaded areas here, so it’s a good spot to take a break before or after the hike.

The walk to Handrail Pool is around 1km return (about 1 hour total) but don’t let the short distance fool you… It’s rated Grade 5 (difficult) and involves:

• A steep descent
• Climbing down the handrail
• Spider-walking through narrow, slippery sections

No wonder why good footwear is a MUST! We found waterproof hiking sandals way more practical than regular shoes or thongs.

Once you reach the pool, it’s totally worth the effort. Floating on your back in the cool water while staring up at the gorge walls and bright blue sky is unreal.

Swim to the far end of the pool too – there’s a hidden section most people miss, and it’s well worth the extra swim!

3) Hancock Gorge

Hancock Gorge is often called one of the most adventurous hikes in Karijini — and it definitely lives up to the hype!

The starting point is also the Weano Day Use Area, as Hancock Gorge is next to Weano Gorge.

The hike into Hancock Gorge is Grade 5 (difficult) and about 1.5km return, but allow 1.5 hours because it’s slow-going in sections.

You’ll climb down a metal ladder, walk through narrow chasms, scramble over slippery rocks, and do some spider-walking along water-filled corridors… talk about an adventure!

The highlight is Kermit’s Pool, a deep green pool surrounded by the gorge’s layered rock walls.

Swimming is allowed here, but you can’t go beyond Kermit’s Pool without a proper canyoning permit, so this is your turnaround point.

You could easily spend a full day between Hancock and Weano – they’re right next to each other, and both are seriously worth the effort. Picking a favourite? Impossible. Just do both!

4) Dales Gorge

Not up for rock scrambling? No problem! Head to Dales Gorge instead.

It’s on the eastern side of Karijini, about a 30-minute drive from the visitor centre, and it’s one of the more accessible areas of the park.

You can base yourself at Dales Campground, which is right near the gorge and run by Parks WA. It has toilets, barbecues, non-potable water, and marked sites for 2WD, 4WD, and camper trailers!

There’s a sealed road to the Dales Gorge Day Use Area, where you’ll find a car park and toilets.

From there, it’s an easy walk to the Circular Pool Lookout, which gives you awesome views down into the gorge.

The classic hike here is the Dales Gorge Rim Walk + Gorge Trail, which forms a loop if you’re keen to do the full thing.

It’s about 5km return (2-3 hours), Grade 4 (moderate), and takes you past all the big highlights: Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool, and Circular Pool.

5) Joffre Gorge

Joffre Gorge sits right in the heart of Karijini, only about a 15-minute drive from the visitor centre.

It’s one of the lesser-visited gorges, mostly because the hike is steep and tricky in sections, but if you’re up for the challenge, it’s a seriously cool spot!

You’ll start from the Joffre Gorge Car Park, where there are toilets and a shaded picnic area. From here, you can check out the Joffre Lookout (easy access) or take on the Joffre Falls Trail down into the gorge.

The hike is 2km return (about 2 hours) and rated Grade 5 (difficult). You’ll need to scramble down rock sections, including a steep descent.

Down at the bottom, you’ll be standing in a natural amphitheatre carved into the rock, with Joffre Falls at the far end.

It’s a seasonal fall, though. We went in September and it was dry, but after the wet season (March-April) the falls will be flowing pretty heavily!

6) Knox Gorge

Knox Gorge is one of the more remote and dramatic gorges in Karijini.

You can really feel the scale of the landscape from the Knox Lookout, which gives sweeping views over the gorge cutting through Wittenoom Gorge.

The trailhead starts at the lookout car park, about a 30-minute drive from the visitor centre, with a toilet and shaded picnic tables nearby.

From there, it’s a 2km return hike (1.5–2 hours total) into the gorge. The trail is Grade 5 (difficult) and involves a steep descent, scrambling over loose rocks, and squeezing through narrow rock slots.

The walk takes you past some impressive fig trees somehow growing out of the cliff faces, and as you make your way deeper into the gorge, the walls close in with plenty of twists and turns.

At the end of the track, there’s a crystal clear pool where you can cool off. Above it is a lookout point that gives you a view right back through the gorge, it’s jaw-dropping.

7) Oxers Lookout

Ok this is not a gorge itself, but it’s where you can see four gorges meet – Weano, Hancock, Red, and Joffre. You will see the massive scale of the landscape from there!

Plus, it’s an easy stop if you’re already exploring Weano or Hancock Gorge – the lookout is near the Weano Day Use Area.

Access to the lookout is flat and easy, just a short walk from the car park — no hiking required!

The platform sits right at the edge of the gorge, with sheer cliffs dropping away below you, so if you’re not great with heights, brace yourself!

If you want a sense of how ancient and massive Karijini really is, Oxers Lookout is the spot. It’s quick, easy, and absolutely worth it.

Top Tips

The best time to go to Karijini is April through September, but early in the season might be best if you want to see the falls at their fullest.

We went in September and it was really good still!

Also, make sure to bring a floatie with you as swimming can be exhausting if you’re not used to the freshwater.

See, salt water naturally makes you rise to the surface of the water, but the fresh water at Karijini does not! This is why swimming can be more tiring than usual, but you can fix this with a floatie.

And don’t forget to carry water and food. You will need them! We sure did every day as the hikes really take it out of you.

The local supermarket is a long drive and there are no bins or waste removal in Karijini. So bring in everything you need, and take it back out with you.

Did you know?

Karijini has over a dozen named gorges! Apart from the ones mentioned above, here are other gorges worth noting:

• Kalamina Gorge. Another easy gorge to explore in Karijini! There’s a small car park right at the trailhead, and it’s a short walk down into a stunning narrow gorge with a tranquil pool at the end.
• Red Gorge. You can’t hike into this one without canyoning gear or a tour! It connects with Weano, Hancock, and Joffre Gorges, and has some incredible swimming sections.
• Yampire Gorge. One of the lesser-known and least-visited gorges in the park, with no developed access. There’s a rough 4WD track to get close, but most people don’t go here. It’s mainly explored by researchers or very experienced hikers.
• Wittenoom Gorge. This gorge was once a popular spot, but it’s now closed due to asbestos contamination. Wittenoom itself is a former mining town, and the area is unsafe to explore — best to avoid it completely.

There’s also more than gorges in Karijini! For example, Rock Arch Pool, tucked away in the park’s far north-west, is one of Karijini’s hidden gems.

It’s a natural rock arch over a pool, and you can swim under it. The track can be rough, so check access before you go — but it’s worth it if you’re up for a bit of a mission.

FAQs

The bottom line

Karijini’s gorges are seriously next-level — each one has its own character, from the natural spa pools of Hamersley to the rugged climbs of Hancock and Weano.

If you’ve got the time (and energy), we reckon you should do as many as you can. But even if you just tick off a couple, you’re in for some proper adventure!

Just remember to plan ahead, some of these hikes are no joke, especially in the heat. Always check track conditions with the visitor centre, and keep exploring Karijini National Park… There’s SO much to do there!

Oh, and bring a floatie. Trust us, you won’t regret it!