One of my favourite day trips from Karijini Eco Retreat is heading out to Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool — it’s an easy drive of around 40 minutes from the retreat, but it feels like you’ve stepped into a completely different world. This part of Karijini is one of the most accessible areas in the park, and I always find it a great balance of walking, swimming and lookout views without needing to commit to anything too technical or demanding.
Dales Gorge (Ngirribungunha)
Dales Gorge is one of those places that immediately stops you in your tracks. The red rock walls are layered and dramatic, and depending on the time of year there’s often greenery clinging to the edges of the gorge floor.
I usually start with the Gorge Rim Walk, which runs between Circular Pool Lookout and Fortescue Falls Lookout. It’s about a 2km return walk and is fairly straightforward, but still gives you those big sweeping views down into the gorge before you make your way down.
fORTESCUE FALLS (Jubula)
Coming down into Fortescue Falls is always a highlight. There’s a set of stairs from the car park that take you right down into the gorge, and as soon as you reach the bottom you can hear the water.
Fortescue Falls is actually the only permanent waterfall in Karijini, fed by a natural spring, so it flows year-round. The water cascades over rock terraces into a large swimming pool at the base, and it’s one of the most popular (and refreshing) spots in the whole park.
The walk down is short but quite steep, so it always feels a bit more rewarding when you’re finally in the water.
It’s also a culturally significant site for Traditional Owners, so I always find people naturally slow down here — it’s not a place for noise or jumping in, but more for a calm swim and a moment to take it all in.
Fern Pool (Jubura)
From Fortescue Falls, it’s only a short walk through the gorge to Fern Pool, and the atmosphere changes completely.
Fern Pool feels quieter and more sheltered, surrounded by ferns and paperbark trees. The water here is incredibly clear and, like Fortescue Falls, it’s naturally spring-fed, so it’s always full and flowing.
Circular Pool (Walhabindamunha)
If you continue further into the gorge, there’s also Circular Pool. This section is a bit more challenging, with uneven ground, loose rocks and a steeper track, so it definitely feels like more of a proper hike.
It’s quieter than the main swimming areas though, and the pool itself sits deeper in the gorge, which makes it feel quite remote compared to the rest of the walk.
Quick takeaways from the day
- About 40 minutes’ drive from Karijini Eco Retreat
- Best easy option: Gorge Rim Walk (~2km return)
- Main swimming spots: Fortescue Falls (livelier, bigger) and Fern Pool (quieter, more peaceful)
- Optional extension: Circular Pool for a more rugged, less crowded experience
It’s one of those places I always leave thinking you could easily spend a whole day there without rushing — each section of the gorge has its own pace and atmosphere.