Steffi & Gerry: Trip around the World
Travel Blog of our Honeymoon around the World
Today we explored the eastern part of Karijini NP, which offered another gorge (Dales Gorge), hiking trails and amazing pools (which we again had for ourselves).
In the afternoon we drove to Port Hedland. We had to overtake several road trains, transporting iron ore to Western Australia’s biggest harbor.
Karijini National Park! Finally! One of the most expected highlights of the Western Australia part of our trip. What does it offer? Mainly amazing gorges – but not just viewpoints! You can basically hike into each of those many, many red gorges.
The Aussies use a scale of 1 to 5 for the severity of each hike. Luckily, even for a class 5 hike you don’t need to be Crocodile Dundee himself, just expect to climb some ladders and cross some ponds. Or should I say pool? Yes! Many gorges offer a natural swimming pool, and you’re absolutely invited to refresh yourself in the clean and clear water. Handrail Pool, Kermit’s Pool, Kalamina gorge / Rock Arch Pool. 3 x check.
Oh, one of those highlights involved a “spider walk” between the walls to reach the next point. Amazing.
The honest reviewer should also mention however that it is often a bumpy ride on unsealed roads. And today we used our fly masks for the first time before dinner, which we had prepared ourselves on the gas grills provided by the Karijini Eco Retreat, where we also parked our camper van for the night.
On the way to Kalbarri National Park we spotted a few emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) and frightened a kangaroo. Kalbarri NP is known for its gorges and stone structure forming a hole: Natures Window. We arrived just a few minutes before a coach with Chinese tourists. Our chance to do our mandatory “through the window” shots before it got crowded.
Other attractions in the park required a little bit of hiking – and guess what? Much less tourists and more time to actually enjoy the nature. Doing a “class 5” (out of 5) hike can be so rewarding. Close encounter with a kangaroo couple? Check.
In the afternoon we headed back to the coast and visited some points which we missed the day before. And we had a nice snorkeling time at a pristine sandy beach, almost for us alone. We returned to the same campground and enjoyed our private shower.
