Karijini National Park Walk - 7 Days

Life’s An Adventure invites you on a 7-day Pack Free guided walking tour that showcases the remarkable contrasts of Western Australia’s Pilbara region and the stunning coastline of Ningaloo Reef.

This tour takes you from the rugged red gorges and spinifex rangelands of Karijini National Park to the turquoise waters and vibrant coral reefs of the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Coast. Designed for the adventurer, this itinerary combines dramatic landscapes, unique wildlife experiences, and luxury accommodation to offer an unforgettable journey.

The adventure begins in Karijini National Park, where you’ll explore deep, ancient gorges, crystal-clear rock pools, and cascading waterfalls. Walk through narrow chasms and towering red cliffs, discovering the beauty of iconic landmarks such as Hancock Gorge, Weano Gorge, and Dales Gorge. The park is also home to some of Western Australia’s highest mountains, offering challenging climbs and rewarding panoramic views over the rugged Pilbara landscape. As you traverse these stunning terrains, marvel at the contrast of the red earth against the green spinifex and blue sky, creating a truly awe-inspiring setting.

Day 1: Arrive in Paraburdoo - Hamersley Gorge - Karijini Eco Retreat

GETTING THERE: Guests will need to fly to Paraburdoo in Western Australia on the morning of day one of the tour. Qantas operate regular flights from Perth to Paraburdoo. Flights from Perth to Paraburdoo are 1 hour 45 mins duration.

At the time of creating this tour we based departure dates around scheduled flights. Unfortunately schedule changes with airlines are a possibility. If you cannot find flights which match the arrival and departure date to our itinerary, clients (at own expense) will have to book a pre or post night accommodation. 

TRAIL NOTES: Hamersley Gorge Walk 1km, 3 hours return. Moderate to Difficult Grade.

TERRAIN: There’s a short descent into the gorge. Expect some rock-hopping and uneven ground but a well formed trail.

ITINERARY: Welcome to Western Australia. Guests will fly today from Perth to Paraburdoo. Please enquire best flight times to book or our flights team can arrange your flights for you. Our guides will collect you from the airport and drive 1.5 hours directly to Karijini National Park. Our aim, over the next few days, is to get you straight to the best sites Karijini National Park has to offer with its narrow red-rock gorges, swimming holes and classic Pilbara scenery. Upon arrival at Paraburdoo Airport, we drive 1 ½ hours to Karijini National Park and head straight to the awe-inspiring Hamersley Gorge. Your walk today takes in the contrasting ecosystems of the Pilbara, as we descend from the dry plains into the cool, shady greenness of the gorge where you will marvel at the contrasts between the red rock, lush ferns and the clear pools hidden below. This is a dramatic gorge, full of colour texture and reflections and a great spot for a swim. There are several lookouts giving spectacular views of the Karijini gorge system. After a glorious day exploring you check into your luxury glamping accommodation at the Karijini Eco Retreat which will be home for the next three nights. Then, enjoy a fabulous dinner with wine at Alfresco Restaurant while watching tonight’s rich, colourful, long-burn sunset typical of outback Western Australia

Day 2: Dale Gorge and Knox Gorge

TRAIL NOTES: Dale Gorge and Knox Gorge Walks – 5.4km, 5 hours. Moderate to Difficult Grade.

TERRAIN: There are some good dirt paths but today’s walks are largely on uneven, rocky and unmodified terrain. Be prepared for some scrambling over rocks and a small amount of ledge walking. In and out of the gorge’s are steep, short ascents with steps.

WALK ITINERARY: After a hearty breakfast our guides take you on a series of short but challenging walks today as you explore Dale Gorge and Knox Gorge. Today you will witness how the power of water has shaped Karijini. There are impressive waterfalls, and deep, cold pools as well as spectacular lookouts. This morning we’ll walk into Fortescue Falls (approx 1.5hrs), enjoying various breaks along the way with optional swimming before walking to Fern Pool. We’ll then transfer to Knox Gorge. This is an ancient part of our Earth where the slow but impressive process of erosion has carved out a unique landscape from rocks that are more than 2,000 million years old. Afterwards we return to our accommodation for relaxation followed by dinner served with wine.

Day 3: Mt Bruce

TRAIL NOTES: Mt Bruce Walk – 9km, 6 hours. Difficult Grade.

TERRAIN: The trail varies from easy, gentle gradients to sections of steeper terrain and one short section that requires scrambling up a rock chute, with some exposure. Overall it is a clear and well defined trail, with sections on uneven, rocky and unmodified terrain. Total climb is 450m in elevation change.

WALK ITINERARY: You will rise above it all today, for spectacular views across the Spinifex-clad Pilbara landscape. You will climb to the summit of Mt Bruce, Western Australia’s second-highest peak, at 1,234 metres above sea level. The Aboriginal name for Mount Bruce is Punurrunha and while the summit trail has some steep and rocky sections many walkers regard this as one of the finest and most exciting mountain walks in Western Australia. It is also a great chance to see some of Western Australia’s unique wildlife including the Pebble Mound Mouse and Rothschild’s Rock Wallaby. We will all walk halfway up Mt Bruce, at this point those who wish to continue to the submit to enjoy a lunch with a view with continue with one guide, while the rest of the group descends the mountain to enjoy lunch back at the Eco-Retreat. Option to go to Joffre Gorge for a swim. After our walk, we make our way back to our accommodation to relax before enjoying dinner and wine in the restaurant.

Day 4: Hancock and Weano Gorge then drive to Cheela Plains Station

TRAIL NOTES: Hancock & Weano Gorge Walks total – 2km, 2 hours. Moderate Grade.

TERRAIN: Like the other gorge walks, there are some good sections of dirt paths but also some uneven, rocky and unmodified terrain. Be prepared for some scrambling over rocks and a small amount of ledge walking.

WALK ITINERARY: Another day of strapping on your boots and heading out to explore two of Karijini’s finest and most famous gorges – Hancock and Weano. The walks are challenging in places, with some wading through water and clambering over rock ledges, but these are not difficult walks and the gorges are truly amazing. At times, the gorge walls are just an arms-length apart and the rich red colour and banding of the rock is simply breathtaking. You will discover beautiful jade pools nestled deep within the gorge complex, including the famous Handrail Pool. These walks are a photographer’s paradise. After this fabulous finale, you will leave Karijini and drive 3 hours to our accommodation at Cheela Plains Station, a family-owned and managed cattle station located in the semi-arid, pastoral rangelands of the Pilbara with a unique environmentally-centred grazing system. If time permits we can visit a local waterhole, Munderie Springs which is on the property in the late afternoon for a quick dip. Tonight we’ll enjoy traditional country hospitality and a fabulous home-cooked meal with wine.

Day 5: Drive to Exmouth plus Shothole Canyon walk

ITINERARY: After a hearty country breakfast, today we head west towards Exmouth. As Western Australia is a vast state, the drive to the coast will take much of the day, but there is plenty to enjoy along the way—especially Western Australia’s famous wildflowers. While the abundance and variety change with the seasons and from year to year, this scenic stretch is well known for its colourful displays of purple Ashburton pea, yellow-flowering sennas (cassias) and acacias, purple mulla mullas, and the iconic Sturt’s Desert Pea. En route, we’ll visit the spectacular Shothole Canyon, where we’ll stretch our legs and take in the dramatic views of the rugged gorge carved into the Cape Range. After a late lunch, we continue on to your accommodation at Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort in Exmouth, where you will be staying for the next two nights. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure poolside or visit the local township. Tonight, enjoy a relaxing dinner served with wine in the restaurant.

Day 6: Ningaloo Reef Whale Shark Experience

ITINERARY: After breakfast, the guides will transfer you to today’s activity – Swim with the gentle Whale Sharks For adventure-lovers and nature-lovers, nothing compares to the exhilaration of swimming with the gentle giants of Ningaloo Reef – the whale sharks. The World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef is one of the largest, most reliable and best-managed whale shark aggregations in the world. An estimated 300-500 whale sharks make their way to Ningaloo annually between March and August. Mark Norek Life’s An Adventure MD said… “However, this is only a rule of thumb and when we did the tour in September we did swim with the whale shark. The crew did say they do also look for Humpback whales and Manta Rays. On the tour we saw all three marine animals. End of the day you can be not so lucky, but the tour was amazing and the Coral alone was well worth the day out let alone swimming with Whale sharks- It was the best day tour I have ever done!”

After our day’s activities, all guests return to our accommodation at Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort with the remainder of the day at leisure. Tonight enjoy dinner in the restaurant served with wine while you talk about our day’s adventures.

Day 7: Exmouth and Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area

ITINERARY: After breakfast, you may end your journey here. Otherwise, our guides can take the group to check out the Mildura Shipwreck & Vlamingh Head Lighthouse before collecting your Whale Shark photos and transferring you to the airport, marking the end of a remarkable journey.

If you are extending your stay in Exmouth, our guides can drop you off at your next accommodation within the Exmouth Precinct.

DEPARTING: Lunchtime and early afternoon flights are available from Exmouth to Perth, and either option can be booked. From Perth, flights can be booked to your home port.

Click 'Go to Bookings Site' for more information on itinerary & inclusions.