18 July to 23 July – Karijini National Park & Tom Price

18 July – rain continued solidly all night but we woke dry & warm thanks to our new tent & slept OK despite road trains hammering by all night. Moved to Karijini National Park via Auski Roadhouse which was a mess due to weeks of dust now turned into mud. Set up camp then walked to Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool & Circular Pool – all magnificent, a really pretty gorge. We plan to swim there tomorrow if it warms up a bit.

Fortescue Falls

Fern Pool

Dales Gorge

Dales Gorge

19 July – headed off on a gorgeous day of gorges. First up was Oxer Lookout which protrudes out on a ridge overlooking 4 converging gorges – Weano, Hancock, Joffre & Red Gorges. We then climbed down the steep track into Weano Gorge & walked, waded & swam our way to Handrail Pool (so named for the handrail needed to climb down into the pool). The gorge was very narrow in spots with the river flowing steadily. A fun climb, walk & scramble.

Next was Hancock Gorge, an even narrower walk, including a ladder to get into the gorge – at one point known as the Spider Walk we had our legs & arms straddling the narrow gap with water running below us – quite exciting & spectacular red cliffs with trees growing in every available crevice. A tiring but wonderful day.

Hancock Gorge

Spider Walk

Handrail Pool

20 July – the gorges continue. First, Kalamina Gorge, a very pretty waterfall & gorge walk. Then we tackled the more difficult Class 5 walks (“difficult with a high level of fitness required” – right up our alley!) into the Knox & Joffre Gorges. Both were again spectacular & the walks certainly difficult – steep with big boulders & slippery surfaces, narrow ledges above drops or water holes. Hard work but exhilarating & worth the effort.

Joffre Gorge

Kalamina Gorge

Kalamina Gorge

Knox Gorge

Joffre Gorge

21 July – Rest day. Rained all day & cold. Caught up on reading & played board games in the tent annexe.

22 July – sun’s out, so off to Tom Price after drying the tent. A brief stop at Mt Bruce – 2^nd highest in WA (1,235 m) but resisted the 10km walk to the top. Tom Price is a really nice little town with green lawns around houses – an oasis? Took the 4WD road to the top of Mt Nameless (1,128 m) – a very steep & rough track but worth it for the 360 degree views. Dinner at the local Thai restaurant – excellent.

23 July – after a very windy night we awoke to an icy wind & the sound of bird calls – plus many of their droppings on the tent roof – it seems we set up under a popular roost tree!!!! Off to the Rio Tinto mine tour at Tom Price – what a huge place with 8 open cuts & massive crushing machines, trucks & dredgers etc  The total area covered was 8km by 15 km.

Next to Hammersley Gorge – another spectacular & easily accessible gorge. Multi coloured rocks twisted into strange shapes. Had a dip in the beautiful pool – water cool but very clear.  Anne said best yet but she says that at every gorge?

Then some more unsealed road to Florance Station for the night (unsealed roads here are well maintained due to the mining). We are the only campers at the camp ground other than the camp manager. No wind, no clouds, open fire, peace & quiet – life ain’t bad!

Hammersley Gorge

Hammersley Gorge

Hammersley Gorge