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If you’ve ever looked at a map of Western Australia and thought, “I could drive that,” Karijini National Park is one of the places you were probably thinking about. The journey from Perth takes around 15 hours (with no stops) and covers roughly 1,500 kilometres, taking you into the breathtaking Pilbara region. Though if you’re short on time and a playlist, you can fly from Perth to Paraburdoo in about two hours, then hire a car and explore the region on four wheels.
Among its many attractions is Knox Gorge. The dramatic red chasm meets Wittenoom Gorge and is simply a spectacular landscape to see. Until a recent $2.1 million upgrade, getting to its lookout meant tackling some pretty rough terrain. Now travellers can get to the good bits without needing to scale a mountain. But if you want to, by all means.
The upgrade, carried out with local Aboriginal business MIB Projects, includes a new accessible path and raised steel boardwalk leading to Knox Gorge Lookout. Wheelchair users can roll right up to the edge of the billion-year-old chasm.
The car park has also had a serious upgrade. During the dry season, from April to October, finding a spot could be a bit of a battle. There are now 73 car bays and 12 long-vehicle bays for caravans, with the expanded car park also set to service the upcoming Red Gorge hike-and-cycle trail, due to start construction in 2027. There are new toilets and upgraded picnic areas, too, so there’s no need to rush off.
Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn noted that this upgrade is part of a broader $21.2 million investment, which has already seen 41 kilometres of access roads sealed between Weano Gorge, Karijini Eco Retreat and Dales Gorge. "We are excited for visitors to experience the park's stunning landscapes while learning about the area's rich cultural heritage, and these upgrades will only help enhance their experience," Swinbourn said.
So you can leave the heavy-duty 4WD at home and hire a standard rental car. Just make sure you’ve got plenty of room for swimmers, water and snacks, and that you’ve always got a full tank – that's an outback rule.