Karijini National Park

Our journey from Exmouth (Cape Range) to Tom Price (Karijini) was the longest we’ve had in quite a while – about 650 kms to get us into the National Park.  We pulled out of Cape Range at 8 am and into Karijini at 5:30 pm.  We set up in the dark!!

I wouldn’t be lying if I said all we saw in between the two small towns was one service station.  We’ve been amazed by distances on this trip a lot but this one takes the prize so far!!  I’m sure this is what’s to come from here on but WOW.  The contrast to the East Coast (of Australia) is just so vast – it’s hard to comprehend the space - we traveled so far and only saw a few small signs pointing in the direction, down a long dirt road, of a remote station.  The beauty we witnessed driving East from Exmoth is up there with the best we’ve seen – the Hamersley range is beautiful – words cannot describe the scene – but I did say to Andrew I can see why this landscape compels people to paint.  The colours, textures and landscapes are just spectacular.

We spent three days in Karijini – we walked into and swam in Hammersley Gorge, Circular Pool, Fortesque Gorge and Fern pools.  Just walking the tracks down into the gorges was like going back in time – we stood and admired the layers of rock (time) clearly visable on the sides of the gorges.  I don’t remember seeing anything like it before.

The water was cold but beautiful after a hot walk – the girls again were amazed at this new adventure.  The gorges of Karijini are just spectacular.

Circular Pool

Circular Pool

Hamersley Gorge

The Spa Pool at Hamersley Gorge

Fern Pool

Swimming at Fern Pool

Fortesque Gorge

Fortesque Gorge and the little snake Alice sat down beside!!

We also did the Rio Tinto mine tour.  An interesting hour of massive statistics – Andrew wishes he'd written some of the numbers down.  A concern of Andrew’s throughout the trip has been the fuel economy and we watch and discuss (with some interest from me) the average fuel consumption!!  His worry was temporarily appeased when we were told the large mine vechiles, when fully loaded, consume 20 litres of diesel per kilometer!!

We left Karijini with half of it’s red dirt attached to our car, trailer, tent, feet, hands, clothes – it was everywhere – headed for the coast and a washing machine!!

It felt a bit like we were emerging from the bush as one big pile of dirt.

80 Mile Beach here we come – look out washing machines and showers.

Anna.