Karijini

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Monday June 11^th

We woke early and packed up camp. This time the rain was light as we packed up, becoming heavy just as we filled our water tank prior to leaving. We left Tom Price in a soft misty grey morning at 7am and drove out to Karijini National Park. The mist was heavy during the drive out. We arrived at about 8:30, secured a campsite in the Dingo Loop for the bargain price of $42 for three nights, and set up camp again. Luckily the skies were clearing so we hung all the wet washing and linen and got everything dried out.



We then headed off mid-morning to Dales Gorge. We walked down into the gorge, and clambered along to Circular Pool. Alex, Mike and I had a swim, just a short one as it was pretty cold. Lovely clear water though, and it’s a gorgeous pool deep in the red walled gorge with maidenhair fern growing among the rocks. The snappy gums are also very striking growing among the red cliffs, with their white trunks standing out brightly.



We next walked down the gorge to Fortescue Falls, which were flowing well after recent rain. We saw some massive paperbark trees, trunks nearly 2m diameter, and some native figs. Also saw a number of specimens of native crocidolite, including some breaking up underfoot. We had our lunch and continued to Fern Pool where Mike had another swim. We saw quite a few fruit bats down there. We then climbed out of the gorge and walked back along the top.



Very impressed with Dales Gorge, such amazing scenery and the kids loved it too. It’s hard to describe how spectacular and majestic the gorges are, with the bold red walls, sea green waterholes, white and green trees, soft green ferns and blue and white skies.



Finished the evening with a very close game of Scrabble!





Tuesday June 12^th



A lovely mild sunny day today, great for scenery and walking. We started the day with a walk through Kalamina Gorge. This gorge is one of the shallower gorges, and was a fun scramble along the rocks and across the creek at the bottom. At the end of the walk is a pool near a rocky archway. We decided not to swim here – the bottom of the pool was very slippery and access not great. We had lunch by the pool and then walked back along and up out of the gorge.



We then went to see Joffre and Oxre lookouts, both very striking and looking over very deep gorges.



In the later afternoon, Alex and Mike went for a swim in Fern Pool and Kyle and I started making dinner and did some journalling, respectively. Alex really enjoyed swimming in Fern Pool, especially the warmer water from the waterfall. The fish there that sometimes nibbles swimmers’ toes didn’t bite him.



Wednesday June 13th

Spent the morning at Hamersley Gorge, doing some walking, climbing, and even a bit of swimming (yes, a bit cold). Very striking looking gorge with different colours than the others. Lots of mining vehicles travelling on the outskirts of the national park.



Then in to Tom Price for some groceries - and also received a text that we have a new nephew, Jesse, born today :).

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