Our ‘secret’ park’s no secret any more

Published: May 12, 2011

The stunning Karijini National Park in Western Australia’s Pilbara region has long been a favourite with grey nomads … and it seems everybody else is now getting in on the act.

Which one of you told them all?

With its rugged landscape, sensational gorges, shimmering waterfalls, challenging walking trails and pristine swimming holes, the reasons for visitors to linger at WA’s largest park are numerous.

It is no surprise to learn then that the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has increased camping capacity there by opening a new overflow campground. The extra camping bays at Warlu Loop are connected by paths to the popular campsite at Dales Recreation Area, where facilities include toilets, picnic areas and barbeques.

DEC Pilbara senior operations officer Geoff Passmore told the Pilbara Echo that the Warlu Loop site provides 44 new camping bays, increasing the park’s capacity to almost 150 bays.

“Because of its spectacular scenery, ancient geological formations and recreational opportunities, Karijini is one of the most popular national parks in Western Australia, and DEC has created these new camping bays to accommodate growing visiting numbers,” he said.

“This campsite will allow more visitors to enjoy the park’s natural and cultural values, and replaces the old overflow campground which was 12 kilometres away and lacking the appropriate management and facilities.”

The DEC does not currently take bookings for campsites at Karijini, so camping is on a first come, first served basis … and demand is always strong, particularly over busy periods such as Easter and Christmas long weekend.

Despite its growing popularity, the park is still very much a wilderness and should therefore be treated with the utmost respect … a fact underlined by a recent incident that left a French man, and a St John Ambulance officer, badly injured. The ambulance officer was struck by falling rock and sustained serious wrist injuries as she tried to rescue the tourist who had slipped on wet rocks at Junction Pool and fractured his tibia.

“The tourists obviously didn’t read the signs properly and went further than they should have,” said Tom Price SES volunteer manager, Jen Aberle. “We pull people out of there all the time and we’re putting ourselves in danger rescuing them.”

Indeed, a volunteer was actually killed during a rescue in the park in 2004. Ms Aberle cautioned tourists to be careful at Karijini, warning the gorges could be a treacherous environment. She said people should be prepared before they enter the gorges and should always read the signs.

Although this was the first rescue of the season, up to 10 are carried out in the park each year.

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