Karratha and Karijini

Good morning !

I will be in Karratha on December 15. My initial plan is to visit
Karijini Parks and then return slowly to Perth while stopping on my way.

However it is very difficult to get information on Karratha and how I
could go to Karijini. I secured a rental car, but if I read well, many
road are unsealed and they are generally not allowed by companies.
However, I read on the newsgroup that " there is bitumen all the way in
to Dales Campground, which is at the Eastern End of the Park". Does it
mean it could be possible to reach most trails starts without problem
with a rented car ?

If it is not possible, I read that Snappy Gum is operating interesting
adventure safari, but it seems that they have no more website or email.
Did they bankrupt ? Do you know if they are still operating these tours
(at least around December 15) or if other companies do ?

I am also looking for a backpacker hostel and found
http://www.kisser.net.au/backpackers/, but their website is still under
construction since last millenium (1999 :-) ) and they don't answer to
email given on the website. Do they have another contact, or are there
other hostels in Karratha ?

Thank you very much !

Cheers

Lionel

Was there at the end of September. The sealed section within the Park ends
about 17km beyond the Interpretive (Visitors) Centre if you come in that
end. We entered from the Tom Price end - and it's unsealed almost as soon as
you enter the Park from there.

From the number and type of vehicles we saw - few take any notice of the
rental Company restrictions. The unsealed roads within the Park are quite
good - and there was a lot of traffic in September. In December - rain could
be a problem; and I don't think I'd want to visit the Park in the wet. The
Gorges are all susceptible to flash flooding.


"lio" wrote in message
...
Good morning !

I will be in Karratha on December 15. My initial plan is to visit
Karijini Parks and then return slowly to Perth while stopping on my way.

However it is very difficult to get information on Karratha and how I
could go to Karijini. I secured a rental car, but if I read well, many
road are unsealed and they are generally not allowed by companies.
However, I read on the newsgroup that " there is bitumen all the way in
to Dales Campground, which is at the Eastern End of the Park". Does it
mean it could be possible to reach most trails starts without problem
with a rented car ?

If it is not possible, I read that Snappy Gum is operating interesting
adventure safari, but it seems that they have no more website or email.
Did they bankrupt ? Do you know if they are still operating these tours
(at least around December 15) or if other companies do ?

I am also looking for a backpacker hostel and found
http://www.kisser.net.au/backpackers/, but their website is still under
construction since last millenium (1999 :-) ) and they don't answer to
email given on the website. Do they have another contact, or are there
other hostels in Karratha ?

Thank you very much !

Cheers

Lionel

Hi all.

You can get to Karajini all the way on the blacktop but it is not the most
direct route. You would go South to near Nanutarra, and then West into
Paraburdoo. It is bitumen from Paraburdoo to Tom Price. The most direct
route is shorter, and involves some gravel, which unless you are used to,
would be better avoided by the Via Paraburdoo entrance. It is now bitumen
all the way into Dales campgound as of this year. (I remember this all too
well as we spent extra $$$ on an off-road caravan, to handle the dirt into
Karajini, as we did it last year in tents) Then we drove in all the way on
fresh bitumen!

Be sure to take plenty of water with you, as you are choosing a hot time of
the year. Plan to go down the gorges early morning or late afternoon. Midday
would be best resting in shade somewhere. Or go down to Circular pool in the
morning, and walk round to Fortescue Falls, and onto Fern Pool and have
lunch down there before an afternoon rest then return out of Fortescue
falls, and walk back to the car up on the top, as it's a lot easier.

The Aussie Viking.

The Aussie Viking wrote:

You can get to Karajini all the way on the blacktop but it is not the most
direct route. You would go South to near Nanutarra, and then West into
Paraburdoo. It is bitumen from Paraburdoo to Tom Price.

Dear Aussie Vicking,

Thank you very much for all these infos (I also saw your other message).
What about the northern way via Auski (roads n°1 and 95 on my map). I
was considering to go this way and then return by Nanutarra to proceed
to Coral Bay. Would it be difficult ?

Thank you !

Highway 95 (The inland road Port Hedland, Newman etc is also fully sealed.)
I'm not sure of the connecting road to get to Tom Price/Karajini, but most
likely is too. (Never have travelled that bit, but it's still bitumen
continuing ahead when we turned into Karajini.)

Returning via Nanutarra is all bitumen. Avoid fuelling at Nanutarra as every
time I have, it's been 10 cents a litre more expensive tan surrounding
petrol stations. If you can make it from say Parurburdoo to Coral
bay/Manilya/Exmouth I'd not actually fuel there.

http://rac.com.au/go/travel/journey-planner is a link which is very handy
for you, as it will print out directions, and also things to do and see.
http://www.holiday-wa.net/ is another site to pick the good bits out of.
http://www.west-oz.com/ is the government site, and is also good.
http://www.discoverwest.com.au/mapallfm.html is another site worth a visit.

If you haven't found Karratha accommodation yet, consider Wickham, which is
only 40 Km's away, and we stayed at Wickham Lodge Apts 6 Wickham Dve
Wickham, which from memory was about $40 a night compared with $140 a night
in Karratha for 2 person's.

Whilst Coral Bay is nice, for the extra few kilometres, I'd recommend
Exmouth any day, as there is much more to do, and a greater variety of
stores/take-away's and night life. Coral bay has only one small shopping
centre, and the only nightlife is at Club Ningaloo backpackers which has a
members only disco area. Exmouth have several licensed bars, some with pool
area's.

If you visit Exmouth - be sure to go to the Cape Range National Park. Take
the small boat up Yardlie Creek - Charlie Creek Gorge and Shothole Gorge
Canyon (both unsealed roads) are well worth a small excursion too.

Another absolute MUST SEE is the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. It includes
many areas worth time - Denham World Heritage Visitors Centre - new and one
of the best Interpretive Centres I've seen anywhere; Monkey Mia Dolphins -
overrated imho, but an iconic tourist thing; and the absolutely unbelievable
stromatolites in Hamelin Pool. It's on the road back to Perth - and while
some sites are only accessible safely with a 4wd - the ones above are on
sealed roads



"lio" wrote in message
...
Good morning !

I will be in Karratha on December 15. My initial plan is to visit
Karijini Parks and then return slowly to Perth while stopping on my way.

However it is very difficult to get information on Karratha and how I
could go to Karijini. I secured a rental car, but if I read well, many
road are unsealed and they are generally not allowed by companies.
However, I read on the newsgroup that " there is bitumen all the way in
to Dales Campground, which is at the Eastern End of the Park". Does it
mean it could be possible to reach most trails starts without problem
with a rented car ?

If it is not possible, I read that Snappy Gum is operating interesting
adventure safari, but it seems that they have no more website or email.
Did they bankrupt ? Do you know if they are still operating these tours
(at least around December 15) or if other companies do ?

I am also looking for a backpacker hostel and found
http://www.kisser.net.au/backpackers/, but their website is still under
construction since last millenium (1999 :-) ) and they don't answer to
email given on the website. Do they have another contact, or are there
other hostels in Karratha ?

Thank you very much !

Cheers

Lionel

lio wrote:
The Aussie Viking wrote:

You can get to Karajini all the way on the blacktop but it is not the most
direct route. You would go South to near Nanutarra, and then West into
Paraburdoo. It is bitumen from Paraburdoo to Tom Price.

Dear Aussie Vicking,

Thank you very much for all these infos (I also saw your other message).
What about the northern way via Auski (roads n°1 and 95 on my map). I
was considering to go this way and then return by Nanutarra to proceed
to Coral Bay. Would it be difficult ?

[Just because AV was not sure about the whole stretch:]

No problem, it's bitumen/sealed all the way.

Note that you can not get via sealed roads to the *other* main area(s) in
the Karajini NP, the Weano area, Hamersley Gorge, etc.. Personally we
found the Weano area more impressive than the Dales area, so, if
possible, I would advise to see if you could make a tour into this area.

Speaking of tours, we can highly recommend the full-day Ningaloo
Safari Tour by owner Neil McLeod out of Exmouth.

Have a great one.

Thank you very much for your kindness !

Frank Slootweg wrote:

Speaking of tours, we can highly recommend the full-day Ningaloo
Safari Tour by owner Neil McLeod out of Exmouth.

Thank you for the additional info ! But now I have a big problem: too
many things to do in too few days ! You should have a little bit more
boring country: it would be easier lo leave it after visiting all what
has to be seem, whereas here, once again, I will leave it with only one
dream: coming back asap ! :-)

A Mate wrote:

If you visit Exmouth - be sure to go to the Cape Range National Park. Take
the small boat up Yardlie Creek - Charlie Creek Gorge and Shothole Gorge
Canyon (both unsealed roads) are well worth a small excursion too.

In fact, that's what I plan !

Another absolute MUST SEE is the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. It includes
many areas worth time - Denham World Heritage Visitors Centre - new and one
of the best Interpretive Centres I've seen anywhere; Monkey Mia Dolphins -
overrated imho, but an iconic tourist thing; and the absolutely unbelievable
stromatolites in Hamelin Pool. It's on the road back to Perth - and while
some sites are only accessible safely with a 4wd - the ones above are on
sealed roads

:-( I will have no time to go there this time. Caramba, I have to come
back for, let's say, 12 months expandable. I start negociating with my
boss tonight !