5. Karijini National Park
We have just spent seven days at Karijini National Park, which I would say is the minimum amount of time required to explore the highlights. We had a little bit of trouble on our way to the park - I was shifting the car & caravan at the service station (they had run out of fuel at our bowser) in Tom Price and someone called out that the wheels of the caravan were locked and dragging. I moved the van back and forwards and unlocked the wheels. We stayed at Tom Price the night to get the van looked at in the morning by a mechanic. Again, people were very kind - the man next to us at the caravan park in Tom Price came over and identified the underlying issue that locked the brakes, and then the mechanic in the morning did not charge us to check over the brakes. Our luck extended when we arrived at Karijini. One of their most famous gorges had been closed and was expected to be closed until mid-June. However, it was opened early on the day we arrived. We again had nice neighbours at the park, and also some fellow travellers we met in Geraldton were there at the same time. While it was a busy week, it was a special week.
Hamersley George - The ‘poster shot’ of Karijini National Park. This is a small spa pool at the end of Hamersley Gorge. It was quite a juggle with my gear to get the photo. Again, people were so nice - they put off getting in so that I could get a photo. When I suggested that I will wait, each time (I went there twice) people were insistent that I just take my time and they would wait.
Joffre Gorge - There is a waterfall here sometimes (where the white mark is on the rock). Still lovely without the waterfall
Joffre Gorge - Millie did not bring her water shoes to Joffre and so needed a little help
Joffre Gorge - Millie and Po Po. Po Po loved Karijini, and did a great job getting down to many of the gorges
Joffre Gorge - The layers of rock in every gorge were really interesting
Knox Gorge - Reflection in the water
Hancock Gorge - Millie in the ‘spider walk’
Hancock Gorge
Hancock Gorge - Kermit’s Pool
Knox Gorge
Knox Gorge
Hancock Gorge
Hancock Gorge
Hamersley Gorge - Justin and Millie swimming in the waterhole
Karijini - With Adam and Guy, whom we met in Geraldton and then ran into again in Tom Price (here at dinner in Karijini). Adam was a principal dancer with the Australian Ballet for many years. He has just retired, and he and Guy are travelling around the country.
Knox Gorge
Knox Gorge
Hancock Gorge
Dales Gorge - Fern Pool
Dales Gorge - Fern Pool
Dales Gorge
Dales Gorge - Millie happy that I have come back from taking some photos
Hamersley Gorge
Knox Gorge
I have been reading ‘Great Expectations’ with Millie. She was very pleased that Pip’s benefactor was finally revealed
Karijini: Kayleen is a Banyjima & Kurrama lady from Karijini. She sets homework for the children to get their ‘junior ranger’ badge. Here is Millie being presented with her certificate and badge from Kayleen
Last picture - I met Alim at a roadhouse on the way to Karijini. Alim is from Turkey and is riding his motorbike to the North/South/East/West points of each continent. I greatly enjoyed our chat. As Alim hugged when we parted, Millie said I make a BFF even when we just get fuel