Day 27 Tom Price to Karijini National Park

 

The park is about 50km out of Tom Price, but the campground is another 40Km in. For all the national parks in WA, you have to pay an entry fee -$15 /vehicle /day. Given we were going into a number of parks, I ended up buying an annual pass for all the parks for $70 (concession – yes old codger). It was the best option, and it saves you having to line up to pay your fees which you often have to have cash for. On the way out of Tom Price, saw a dingo (maybe cross ) a surprise as we haven’t seen much in the way of local fauna,

Visited the information centre on our way in and had a great chat to staff. It is run by the local aboriginal people.

Onto Dales Campground which even at time of the year is very popular. I booked it when we were in Kalgoorlie to geta site. If you wanted something in the high season, you would have to on to it very early. Settled into Cockatoo Number 3 and then checked out Dales George including circular pond and Fortescue Falls. No swim today but plan to jump in tomorrow.

Day 28- Karijini

Day 1 at Karijini started with a drive over to the other side of the park to have a look at Joffre Gorge and then lunch at Eco Retreat which is a privately owned area that offers cabin and caravan accommodation. Also has a bar and restaurant.

All the walks in the parked are graded from 1-5 , 1 being the easiest. The walk down into Joffre Gorge was listed as a 5 so we thought it would just be a walk to the lookout and then on our way but we watched a very young family climb down we were on it and grabbed our stuff and off we went. Just swimming there was an extraordinary thing to do – so glad we made the effort. Onto Eco Retreat for a relaxing burger and drink and then back towards home ( 40 k gravel) to head down to Fortescue Falls which is walking distance. Plenty of people around so we walked further on to a beautiful place called Fern Pool .  We were there on our own for most of the time so it was very serene. As I said before so much contrast between the wide and very red open country and these gorges where at times it almost seems tropical .

Back home again to watch the sun go down and spend the evening looking at the stars.

Day 2 – off to Hammersley Gorge. Its about 100 k but the gravel road is maintained by the mine so its in great shape. This gorge was really popular as it is relatively easy and short walk down and back. Bit of a scramble over the rock as at times but again took to the water and enjoyed our time there.

During the drive Russ nearly feel out of the car as in the middle of nowhere is a huge pile of hay bales sitting in an area just off the road. Bit of research and it’s the Rio Tinto Agricultural Project. They pump 40 gigalitres of water out of the mine each year and they use 20 of that to irrigate and produce this hay. Centre pivots and green as far as the eye could see. Not something you expect in the Pilbara!

Headed home and started trying to get the red out of everything before we leave in the morning for Port Headland.

At night , you do hear the dingoes howling and the last night we were there , we had one just outside our door fantastic place to visit – would as we could hear it scratching around,

Has been  happily come again. Russ has put together a fantastic slide show for you , Enjoy!