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Lap of Oz: Days 77 and 78 Karijini NP

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Days 77 and 78

Days 77 and 78

Day 77

Today we left Port Hedland, heading for Karijini National Park. As you can’t book into Dales Campground at Karijini National Park, we stopped in at a free camp called Blakeys Spot, where we had phone reception, to check the availability for the next couple of nights. We were told there were plenty of spots, so we headed off.

Karijini National Park is the second largest National Park in Western Australia, covering a massive 627,422 hectares. Little did we know, it is also home to blue asbestso, but it is only bad for you if you inhale its dust, apparently.

Blakeys Spot 1 Blakeys Spot

Then we stopped in at Bea Bea Creek Rest Area to check out the flowers. We haven’t seen flowers for weeks now, so it was a nice change.

Flower Flowers 1 Flowers 2 Flowers 4 Flowers 5 Flowers 7 Flowers 8 Flowers 9 Flowers 10 Flowers 11 Flowers 12 Flowers 14

We also passed so many road trains with 4 carriages and they were all a dark red colour. This would have to be the most road trains we have seen in a short stretch ever!

Road Train

Then it was off to Karijini National Park. As we got closer, the scenery started to change. Lots of mountain ranges were coming into view.

On way to Karijini 1 On way to Karijini 2 On way to Karijini Rest Stop Wildflowers 1 Wildflowers 2

Driving into the National Park, the colour of the road stood out. The side we were on, going into the Park, was normal. The other side, coming out, was covered in red dust. I have to say, I am looking forward to seeing green grass again!

Karijini National Park 1

Finally we were there! We were in site 114 in the Warlu Loop. It was a pretty big site, which was good and close to the drop toilets, but the price to stay in this National Park is almost triple what we paid for the National Parks in the Northern Territory!

Karijini National Park 2 Karijini National Park 3 Karijini National Park 5 Karijini National Park 6

After we had set up the van, we went to have a look at the lookouts.  First, it was to the Circular Pool Lookout.

Circular Pool Lookout

Pronounce that name if you can: Circular Pool – Walhibindamunha

Circular Pool Lookout 1 Circular Pool Lookout 2 Circular Pool Lookout 3

Then it was off to Fortescue Falls Lookout.

Fortescue Falls Lookout

We found the easier Fortescue Falls trail was closed. To get to Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool, we would have to walk the 3km Dales Gorge track.

Fortescue Falls Lookout 1 Fortescue Falls Lookout 2 Fortescue Falls Lookout 4 Fortescue Falls Lookout 5 Fortescue Falls Lookout 6

We went back to the van for an early night, as we now knew we had lots of walking to do the next day.

Day 78

We were up early ready for a big day of walking. Well not really, it was a cold morning, so everyone found it a little hard to get out of bed. We haven’t had a cool morning like this for since arriving in Western Australia.

After a little motivating, we arrived at the Circular Pool Lookout again. 

Circular Pool Lookout 2

Then we headed down the track to the Three Ways Lookout before heading on the Circular Pool walk.

Three Ways Lookout 1 Three Ways Lookout 3 Three Ways Lookout

The Circular Pool walk is a grade 4 track about 800m long. It involves a steep descent (apparently around 380 steps) at the start before a rocky track along the gorge floor to reach the pool. It is said this walk will take around 2 hours as you do need to take your time over the rocky trail, especially over the slippery, wet rocks.

This pool is fed by an underground spring and it was awesome to see and hear the trickle of water seeping from the gorge walls. The water in the pool was extremely cold, so we didn’t have a swim here, a dip of the fingers was enough.

Circular Pool Walk

The steep descent also included a little metal ladder!

Once arriving at the bottom of the descent, there were two options. Go left to Circular Pool or go right along the Dales Gorge walk to Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool. We decided to go to Circular Pool first as it was a shorter track.

Circular Pool Walk 3

Instead of following little coloured triangles, today we had yellow and white circles!

Circular Pool Walk 4

We saw a little water and some cute little waterfalls on our way to Circular Pool.

Circular Pool Walk 5 Circular Pool Walk 6 Circular Pool Walk 7 Circular Pool Walk 8 Circular Pool Walk 9 Circular Pool Walk 10 Circular Pool Walk 11 Circular Pool Walk 12 Circular Pool Walk 13 Circular Pool Walk 14

Trying to find the little yellow and white circles proved a little harder than we thought. The track was not really marked out that well.

Circular Pool Walk 15

The last part of the track was through some big rocks.

Circular Pool Walk 16

Finally we were there! It was such a spectacular sight!

Circular Pool Walk 17 Circular Pool Walk 18 Circular Pool Walk 19 Circular Pool Walk 20 Circular Pool Walk 21

We had a little rest before it was time to head back.

Circular Pool Walk 22 Circular Pool Walk2

Once arriving back at the bottom of the cliff, we headed in the opposite direction to Circular Pool, along the Dales Gorge walk to Fortescue Falls.

Dales Gorge Walk

This is another grade 4 walking trail and is 3 km long. The estimated time for this walk is 3 hours.

Dales Gorge Walk 1 Dales Gorge Walk 2 Dales Gorge Walk 3 Dales Gorge Walk 4 Dales Gorge Walk 5

The scenery was really nice, with quite a few water crossings and quite a bit of wall hugging, but over it was a good walk.

Dales Gorge Walk 6 Dales Gorge Walk 7 Dales Gorge Walk 8

Can you see the walking trail behind hubby? 

Dales Gorge Walk 9 Dales Gorge Walk 10 Dales Gorge Walk 12

Then we had to climb through a small crack in the rocks. Hubby decided it was easier to go over the rock, but he has longer legs than us three.

Dales Gorge Walk 13

Finally we arrived at Fortescue Falls. You can swim here, but we found the algae covered rocks were quite slippery for the boys, so we headed up and onto Fern’s Pool.

Fortescue Falls 1 Fortescue Falls 2 Fortescue Falls 3

Climbing over the steep waterfall was hard work.

Fortescue Falls

Looking back at Fortescue Falls while having a rest break!

Fern Pool 1

It was a short 300m walk from Fortescue Falls to Fern Pool. Here the water was still cool, but the boys were able to have a little swim. There was a ladder to help you into the pool which was surrounded by little fishes that liked to nibble at your toes as you hop in and out of the water.

Fern Pool 2 Fern Pool 3

This pool was quite deep, with even hubby unable to reach the bottom. It would have been a good idea to bring the pool noodles, though carrying them on the walking track may have proved a little difficult at times.

Fern Pool 4 Fern Pool 5 Fern Pool

After a refreshing dip, we headed back down Dales Gorge and back to the van, exhausted.

Dales Gorge back 14 Dales Gorge back 15 Dales Gorge back 16

We had a great day walking through the Dales Gorge and seeing all the wonderful waterfalls and having a refreshing swim in Fern Pool. Now it is time for an early night, as we are off again tomorrow.

 

 

Category: Lap of Oz, TravellingTag: Travel

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