Most of the Karijini Experience events are located at The Karijini Experience Village, at the Airstrip just opposite the Karijini Visitor Centre on Banjima Drive. Banjima Drive can be accessed off Karijini Drive, 95km from Tom Price.
FLY
Karratha is the regional centre of the Pilbara and the Karijini Experience Holiday Gateway, well worth a visit, home to Murujuga National Park, an outdoor gallery featuring the largest collection of Indigenous rock art in the world and Millstream-Chichester National Park.
Join an award-winning Aboriginal guided tour with Ngurrangga Tours. In addition, take a cruise with Reef Seeker Charters or Pilbara Dive and Tours to explore the more than 40 archipelagic islands featuring crystal waters and golden beaches. With a fantastic range of food and accommodation, why not enjoy a night or two in Karratha before heading to Karijini, just 370kms along the Manuwarra -Red Dog Hwy for 4WD or 484kms for 2WD via Port Hedland. Karratha is also well serviced by Qantas and Virgin with multiple flights a day from Perth. Hire a car or camper in Karratha and continue the journey to Karijini from there, Avis, Hertz and Europcar operate in Karratha, you can hire a camper with Karratha Campers.
Paraburdoo Airport is approximately 120km from Karijini National Park, this is a Qantas airport and Europcar, Avis, Budget and Hertz hire cars are available.
Newman Airport is approximately 230km. Qantas and Virgin airlines operate from here and Europcar, Avis, Budget, Hertz and Europcar hire cars are available.
Exmouth airport is 625km from Karijini National Park which is serviced by Qantas, with hire car company, Avis. You can also hire a camper at Exmouth Camper Hire, spend some time camping at the stunning Cape Range National Park on the Ningaloo coast and continue the journey to Karijini via Karratha or Nanutarra.
Aviair offers regular passenger services through their Inter-Regional Flight Network, connecting Karratha with Broome, Newman and Port Hedland multiple times a week. Full flight schedules and booking details can be found on the Aviair website.
DRIVE
Perth to Karijini – Coastal
Getting from Perth to Karijini via Exmouth on the Ningaloo coast is a 1250km drive with plenty of stunning places to stop at on the way such as Dongara, Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Monkey Mia and Coral Bay. From Exmouth to Karijini you can take two possible journeys:
Exmouth straight to Karijini is 655km via Nanutarra Roadhouse, stop in at the beautiful Cheela Plains Station and stay the night, or just stop in for coffee and cake at their cafe.
Exmouth to Karratha is 550km, on the way you can see the town of Onslow where you can depart for the Mackerel Islands for fishing and diving with accommodation available on the island or you can Camp with Custodians at Peedamulla Station Stay. From here, Karijini is only another further 370km for 4WD or 484km for 2WD via Port Hedland.
Perth to Karijini – Inland
1400km of driving through the Miners Pathway up the Great Northern Highway, from Perth to Meekatharra, through the historic towns of New Norcia, Paynes Find, Mt Magnet and Cue, and stop into Newman, 420km North of Meekatharra, just before you hit Karijini Drive. Newman has a great range of food and accommodation options and is a 278km drive out of Karijini and a great spot to rest and refuel. Newman also has the beautiful Martumilli Arts Centre and a great Visitors Centre who will give you some local tips on the secret swimming spots to visit.
Other important info
Fuel
Nearest fuel is in Tom Price which is 80km from the Karijini Eco Retreat and 100km from the Visitors Centre (Coles Express) or there is fuel North of the National Park at Auski Tourist Village 75km from the Visitors Centre on the Great Northern Highway (Shell).
Unsealed roads
The road to the Karijini Visitors Centre and Dales Gorge are sealed; the road to the Karijini Eco retreat is sealed except for the last 3kms. All other roads are unsealed and while these roads are graded regularly, it is still recommended that you drive at a slow, safe speed. We also recommend if you take the dirt road between the Visitors Centre and the Karijini Eco Retreat you have a 4WD or take the long way around on the bitumen in a 2WD (refer to map).
Safety
In wet weather be aware of possible flash flooding. Visit the Main Roads WA website Alerts page here to check road conditions.
Driving at night in the Pilbara should be avoided if possible or done with caution, beware of cattle and native wildlife at night.