Why Winter Is The Best Time To Go To Karijini + When To Avoid

After spending 4 days exploring Karijini in August, we can say that winter is the best time to visit, hands down… but if you can go a bit earlier (say, July), even better!

During our stay, the days were sunny, dry, and perfect for hiking. Plus the nights were cool enough for a campfire, although the waterholes were VERY cold.

There are some minor downsides to visiting in winter, but 100% worth the trade in our opinion. We’ll tell you all about them below!

The absolute worst time to go there is in the wet season, though. The weather makes it nearly impossible (and quite unsafe) to explore.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best and worst times to visit Karijini, plus things we wish we knew so you can plan the best trip possible.

Let’s dive in (safely, because there are no crocs in Karijni!).

We recognise the traditional owners of this land, the Banyjima, Innawonga and Kurrama peoples.

Why winter (Jun-Aug) is the BEST time to go to Karijini

Winter in Karijini is the peak of the dry season, so you’ll have cloudless skies, warm days, and starry nights – the perfect weather for the outdoors!

The weather is excellent for swimming and hiking

From June to August, daytime highs sit around 20–26°C, which is ideal for hiking. Nights drop down to about 10°C though, so definitely pack some warm clothes for the evenings.

There’s barely any rain in winter, which makes it very easy to explore if you’re in a 2WD as most roads will be accessible.

Plus, with the low humidity, it’s waaay more comfortable out in the gorges and on the trails.

Read more: Our top 7 favourite gorges in Karijini

It’s peak season, but it won’t feel crowded

Winter is the busiest time of year here, but Karijini is massive! Even during peak season, you’ll rarely feel like it’s packed.

That said, campgrounds fill up fast, so book early! There are two options:

• Dales Campground. It’s very basic — just a water tower (not filtered) and drop toilets. When we went, the public facilities weren’t that clean so keep that in mind. Book the campsite here.
• Karijini Eco Retreat. It’s where we stayed most of the time, it was epic. It’s got options for all budgets! Check it here.

Both will be in high demand so book as soon as possible (camping fees do apply).

Waterholes in the gorges are VERY cold

Spots like Hamersley Gorge are epic to swim at during this time, but it really surprised us how cold the water was!

Seriously, hypothermia is a risk if you stay in too long. Make sure you don’t stay in the water too long and have a dry outfit to change into after.

One con – waterfalls won’t be as mighty

The later in the dry season that you go, the less the waterfalls will be flowing because of the little rain that comes down in winter.

We went in August and Joffre Gorge‘s waterfall was dry, sadly. But Fern Pool and Fortescue Falls were still flowing strong!

Late autumn (Apr-May) is the second best time to visit

April and May are another excellent time to visit Karijini as there are fewer people around, lush scenery, and waterfalls are in full flow. But there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

First, you might get some rain. These months are the tail-end of the wet season, after all.

The problem with this is that the park might close for safety reasons – flash floods are a massive risk here.

But on the plus side, the swimming holes and waterfalls will be at their peak!

Now, daytime temperatures will be a bit warmer and more humid than in winter, but nights won’t get as cold. You might even catch the odd inland thunderstorm — always cool to watch from a safe spot.

Another plus is that there are fewer visitors in April and May, so campsites might be easier to book without having to plan months ahead.

Just keep in mind that roads can be unpredictable if there’s been a late-season cyclone. Even some 4WD tracks can get closed, so always check local road conditions before heading into the park.

Early spring (Sep-Oct) is another solid alternative

Spring in Karijini is warm, dry, and still easy to explore! Plus, it’s quieter than winter.

The dry weather keeps going into September and October, with clear skies and daytime temps starting to climb.

Most roads and tracks are still fully accessible, so it’s a great time to explore as well.

The only issue is that the water levels in the gorges will be at their lowest. BUT the pools are permanent, so you can still enjoy a nice swim!

Just expect fewer flowing waterfalls – some will be dry, like Joffre Gorge during our August visit. Don’t let that deter you from visiting, though, there are heaps of epic things to do in Karijini!

Don’t visit in summer – spring, here’s why

This is the wet season and the worst time to visit Karijini. It’s dangerously hot, uncomfortably humid, and the risk of cyclones and flash floods is high.

From November to March, temperatures can regularly hit 40°C (sometimes +45°C). There risk of heatstroke and dehydration is very real, especially if you’re out hiking.

As the name implies, the “wet season” brings heavy rain, afternoon storms, and the potential for cyclones. Flash floods can shut down roads, tracks, and even close the park entirely.

Not to mention that the flies in summer will be relentless. If you will visit during this time, bring a fly net or repellent!

Honestly, we don’t think it’s worth visiting Karijini during this time. The point of going there is to spend time in the outdoors, which will be difficult (and even extremely dangerous) during the wet season.

3 must-knows to stay safe in Karijini National Park

When you visit Karijini National Park, you’ll see that all these beautiful landscapes come with some risks to be aware of.

Sadly, there have been some serious and unfortunate accidents in the park. But as long as you explore responsibly, you’ll be perfectly safe and fine!

The truth is that most people visit without any problems (we spent 4 days there with no issues), but it’s good to be prepared. Here are 3 things to know so you can stay safe while exploring:

1) Pay attention to flash flooding warnings

The park can close temporarily (usually for a day or so) due to rainfall and the risk of flash flooding.

Flash floods can happen unexpectedly, without any warning.

So as a rule of thumb, get out of the gorge immediately if it starts raining. Flash floods can be deadly if you’re caught inside the gorge.

And do not go inside a gorge if it’s been raining!

Even light rain can trigger closures, so keep an eye on the weather and always check road conditions before heading in.

Check the latest park alerts here!

2) Do this when climbing in and out of the gorges

Some gorges require quite a bit of climbing in and out, especially places like Knox Gorge, Hancock Gorge, or Weano Gorge (where the Handrail Pool is).

It’s key to take your time getting in and out of the gorge. The rocks can be wet or dusty which can be slippery if you’re rushing the climb.

Here are some things we did to keep us safe during the climb:

• Wearing proper shoes with good grip.
• Lean forward when climbing, not backward.
• Plan each move and visualise it first.
• Keep 3 points of contact, ex. two feet solid on the rock, one hand gripping, the other ready to move.

There are other Karijini gorges that are not as risky, like Kalamina Gorge and Dales Gorge. These are more chill and great for families or anyone avoiding the scramble!

3) Come prepared to Karijini

Karijini is VERY remote. There’s limited reception (Telstra and Optus only), no shops, and no rubbish collection.

The Eco Retreat has a restaurant/bar, which is great, but for essentials (water, fuel, food, etc), you’ll need to be self-sufficient.

Here are some things you must bring:

• Drinkable water — lots of it (at least 4lt per person per day).
• Waterproof hiking shoes or sandals. Ours are these waterproof hiking sandals from the brand “Keen”, 100% recommend them.
• A floatie, seriously! Freshwater isn’t buoyant like the ocean, and we got tired fast when swimming. The floatie made all the difference.
• Sun protection and insect repellent.
• First aid kit.
• Swimmers and dry clothes
• A dry bag.
• Optional but smart: A satellite phone or location-sharing device to be extra safe in an emergency.

Karijini is stunning but unforgiving. A bit of prep goes a long way in making sure your trip is both epic and safe!

Read more about staying safe when exploring Western Australia here.

Top Tips

If you’re flying into Paraburdoo or Newman, you’ll need at least 3 days to cover the main highlights. But if you’re driving, plan for at least 4–5 days (more if you can).

We were happy with 4 to 5 days in Karijini, but honestly, give yourself as much time as you can. This unique region of Western Australia has so much to offer!

That said, no matter when you visit, stay on top of the weather and always have a backup plan.

Pack heaps of water, and remember – Karijini is remote. Bring in everything you need, take everything out, and come prepared for all conditions.

Did you know?

Karijini is one of the early examples of WA moving towards joint management of national parks with Traditional Owners.

It’s helped pave the way for more recognition of Indigenous knowledge and involvement in caring for these lands. The hope is that this approach brings better preservation and a deeper cultural understanding for visitors too.

FAQs

The bottom line

Winter really is the sweet spot for visiting Karijini. The weather’s ideal for hiking, the roads are easy to navigate, and you won’t have to battle humidity or storms.

Just pack warm gear for the cooler nights and be ready for some cold swims!

If you’re aiming for stronger waterfalls and fewer people around, late autumn or early spring are also good options — just keep an eye on rain forecasts and road conditions.

Karijini is remote and rugged, but with the right timing and a bit of prep, you’ll have the adventure of a lifetime!