Western Australia’s Karijini National Park to be transformed with new facilities

Western Australia’s Karijini National Park attracts more than 650,000 visits a year, with many tourists visiting between April and October. To enhance the experience of these visitors, the Western Australian Government is transforming Karijini National Park with $21.2 million in upgrades.

The upgrades include:

• an additional 120 carpark bays, 12 long-vehicle bays, plus new picnic facilities and toilets at Weano Gorge;

• sealing 41 kilometres of access roads for two-wheel-drive vehicles between Weano Gorge, Karijini Eco Retreat and Dales Gorge;

• new picnic facilities at Fortescue Falls day-use area adjacent to Dales Gorge; and

• a new cantilevered steel lookout extending out over Knox Gorge.

Plans are also underway to build a new $2.5 million hike-and-cycle trail at Red Gorge, funded through the Cook Labor Government's Outdoor and Adventure Tourism Package announced in April 2024.

WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby shared "The breathtaking Karijini landscape has to be seen to be believed, with its cascading waterfalls, ancient deep gorges and rich cultural history.

"There's so much to take in that visitors should plan to explore Karijini over a couple of days, including camping in the park or glamping at the Karijini Eco Retreat."

WA Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti added "Attractions and infrastructure are a critical part of tourism, and ensuring sites like Karijini National Park remain world-class is so important, so they can continue attracting hundreds of thousands of people a year.

"Importantly, these new facilities will have a positive flow-on effect to local operators, who rely on good infrastructure to keep attracting visitors."

Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel advised "The upgraded roads are a gamechanger for tourism, especially for Banjima Traditional Owners who operate the Karijini Eco Retreat, as we've dramatically improved visitor access to the park's world-famous gorges and lookouts."

For more information about the park go to www.dbca.wa.gov.au/karijiniroads

Images. Stills from video and video. Credit: Parks and Wildlife Service Western Australia