Everything you need to know when planning your adventure to Karijini

Karijini National Park is an iconic, unspoiled nature-based destination. Filled with unique and diverse landscapes, a visit here is an unforgettable outback experience.

An outback road trip to Karijini must be the ultimate Australian adventure, but if this is your first time visiting, it can be a bit daunting. To make things easier, we have answered some of your most frequently asked questions, to help you plan your very own epic adventure in the outback!

Fuel

With such long distances between everything, many people wonder if they need to carry extra fuel. There are plenty of fuel stations along all the major routes to Karijini, but be sure to top up frequently. Neither petrol nor diesel are available anywhere within the park, including at the Karijini Eco Retreat, but if you fill up at Tom Price, Newman or Auski (depending on which way you arrive) you should have enough fuel to see everything without the need to carry extra. Check the map to work out which attractions you want to see and plan your days so you are not doubling back on yourself.

Camping and Accommodation

Karijini Eco Retreat offers a variety of accommodation options, including spacious unpowered campsites, Eco Cabins and safari-style Glamping Tents. Bookings are essential. Facilities include flushing toilets, solar-hot showers, camp kitchens with gas BBQs, a kiosk and licenced restaurant, as well as a reception/information desk and guided tours.

Camping is also available at Dales Campground. Long drop toilets are provided and picnic facilities with gas BBQs are located nearby at the Dales Recreation Area. An overflow campground is open during peak season. Book through Park Stay.

Camping is not permitted anywhere else within the park.

Tom Price Tourist Park is located about 45 minutes’ drive west of Karijini and offers full caravan park facilities.

Phone Service

We might be isolated, but we still like to stay in touch. Both Telstra and Optus phones work at the Karijini Eco Retreat and Optus is available at the Visitor Centre and Dales Campground.

Due to the large area the park covers, signal is patchy in other places and there is no signal in the gorges.

A public payphone is located at the Eco Retreat and phone cards are available for purchase at reception.

Mobile phones can be charged in a range of our Eco Tents and Cabins, but our campsites do not have access to power. Generators are permitted between 2pm and 4pm and many people choose to bring a small power bank or solar phone charger with them.

Drinking Water

Water is a precious resource out here and needs to be carefully conserved. While drinking water is available at the Eco Retreat, we encourage visitors to arrive with full tanks or a supply of bottled water where possible. There are no facilities for caravans or motor homes to connect to a water supply at either the Eco Retreat or Dales Campground.

Showers

Here at the Karijini Eco Retreat, you can have the best of both worlds. Camp in the bush under a canopy of glittering stars and indulge in a warm shower, powered by the sun, after spending a day exploring the nearby gorges. Ablution blocks with solar-hot showers are located in each of the camping loops and next to Reception. Our Deluxe, Deluxe Plus and Luxury Eco Tents have their own private ensuite bathrooms, with a flushing toilet and hot shower.

Because we take advantage of the abundant natural sunlight to keep our showers hot, we can’t always guarantee piping hot water every single day, but with glorious sunny days and blue skies for most of the year, including winter, it’s rarely a problem.

If you are exploring at the eastern end of the park near Dales Gorge, hot showers are available for a small charge, during open hours at the Karijini Visitor Centre. There are no shower facilities at Dales Campground or the Overflow Camp.

Dump points and rubbish disposal

Public dump points can be found at Dales Campground, Tom Price and the corner of Great Northern Hwy and Karijini Drive.

Due to the vast size and remoteness of Karijini, bins and rubbish disposal are not provided. Please come prepared to collect your rubbish and take it with you when you leave to dispose of responsibly.

Shopping

Shopping and retail outlets are very limited at Karijini, so be sure to stock up before arriving. The nearest supermarket is an hour’s drive away in the town of Tom Price.

At the Eco Retreat, we carry a limited supply of bagged ice, bottled water and a few other grocery items. We also offer a range of souvenirs, including some beautiful aboriginal artworks, homewares, icy cold drinks, ice creams, confectionery and freshly made, take away tea and coffee.

Because we are located so far from town and a bank, we are a cashless venue.

Karijini Visitor Centre, located on Banjima Drive, is the only other retail outlet within the park and they offer a range of souvenirs, cold drinks, bottled water and ice creams.

Dining

After a day of exploring the amazing gorges of Karijini National Park, there is nothing better than sitting back with your favourite cold beverage and a delicious meal, while watching the sun set on the distant horizon.

Karijini Outback Restaurant is located at the Eco Retreat and opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dine at the licenced restaurant and choose from our many tantalising delights inspired by delicious traditional bush tucker ingredients, grab a tasty take away burger to enjoy at your campsite or order a picnic lunch, packed into your very own Karijini insulated backpack, to take with you to the gorges.

Karijini Outback Restaurant is the only dining experience in the park and very popular, so prior bookings are essential.

How do I know if the gorges are open?

Karijini National Park covers a huge area and sometimes parts of the park may be closed. This is usually due to flooding after heavy rains, bushfires and occasionally roadworks or scheduled maintenance.

To find out what is open and what is not, visit the DBCA Park Alerts website where you will find up to date information about closures and expected reopening dates, or head to the Eco Retreat's Park Alerts & Road Conditions page. Park Alerts is linked to Emergency WA. Both websites will be useful when planning your trip and while you are away.

If you still have questions, or are just curious to learn more, check out the Karijini Eco Retreat FAQs page or browse ‘Karijini’ on the Explore Parks WA website.