Karijini Explorer Itinerary

Starting in

Exmouth, Australia

Physical Difficulty

4 / 5

Breakfasts included

4

Lunches included

3

Dinners included

2

Ending in

Exmouth, Australia

Accommodation

Station Stay (shared facilities) (2 nights), Ensuite Deluxe Tents (2 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle

Journey through the natural wonders of Western Australia on this five-day adventure through Karijini National Park. Explore the curved waterfall at Joffre Gorge, visit the Hamersley Gorge and take in the colourful layered stone walls, walk the Badjirrajirra Trail to the Charles Knife Canyon and swim at the Handrail Pool at Weano Gorge. Hike to the Kermit Pool and Spider Wall at Hancock Gorge, wander through the rock pools at Kalamina Gorge and learn about the rich First Nations history of the area from Traditional Custodians.

Day 1: Exmouth / Cheela Plains

Welcome to Exmouth. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 8.30 am this morning, then you’ll set off through the beautiful Outback landscape to Nanutarra Roadhouse. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. When you arrive at the roadhouse, stop for lunch before continuing to Cheela Plains Station, where you’ll stay tonight. This afternoon, maybe set off on one of the station hikes to explore the area. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the station under the Pilbara night sky.

Day 2: Tom Price / Karijini National Park

Today is an early start as you travel from Cheela towards Karijini National Park. On the way, stop at Tom Price and spend some time walking the streets of this small mining town. This is also your opportunity to buy yourself a picnic lunch for later on in the national park. Continue to Karijini National Park – land of the Banjima, Innawongka and Eastern Guruma peoples. This is Western Australia’s second-largest national park, with a landscape more than 2.5 billion years old. Your first stop is Kalamina Gorge – the shallowest gorge in Karijini National Park. As you walk alongside the stream, take in the surrounding landscape of small waterfalls and rock pools. When you arrive at the Rock Arch Pool, stop for lunch and maybe a quick swim before checking into your accommodation at Karijini Eco Retreat. This afternoon, explore Joffre Gorge – a curved waterfall forming a natural amphitheatre. When you arrive, take in panoramic views from the lookout platform or maybe walk down into the gorge to see the towering cliff faces reflected in the calm water.

Day 3: Karijini National Park

Today is a full day of exploration in Karijini National Park. Travel to Hancock Gorge this morning for your first hike of the day. After climbing down a ladder, you’ll walk through the narrow rock passages and shallow pools to the well-known Spider Wall. Weave your way through the tight, twisting gaps in the rocks before arriving at the green waters of Kermit’s Pool. This afternoon, set off on a hike through Weano Gorge. Follow the trail through the towering red walls, along the stepping stones to the Handrail Pool. Spend some time relaxing among the cool rocks or take a dip in the clear waters.

Day 4: Hamersley Gorge / Cheela Plains

After breakfast, you’ll start your journey back towards Cheela Plains. On the way, stop for one final walk at Hamersley Gorge. As you walk, take in the swirling rock formations and the colourful layers of stone. At the bottom, maybe cool off with a swim in the pool or relax under the shade of the trees beside the stepped waterfalls. Then, leave the landscape of gorges and waterfalls behind, and return to your station stay Cheela Plains. When you arrive, enjoy your last dinner with your fellow travellers to celebrate the last night of your adventure.

Day 5: Charles Knife Canyon / Exmouth

This morning, travel back to Exmouth, stopping at the Charles Knife Canyon along the way. From the lookout soak up the panoramic views of the surrounding terrain of rocky gullies, narrow gorges, open spinifex (coastal grass) bushland and over the Exmouth Gulf. After lunch at the canyon, you’ll continue to Exmouth, where your trip will come to an end. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Essential Trip Information

Joining point

Potshot Hotel Resort, 561 Murat Road , Exmouth, AUSTRALIA

Finish point

Ningaloo Aquarium and Discovery Centre, 2 Truscott Cres , Exmouth, AUSTRALIA

Important information

START & END POINT TIME & LOCATION
Your trip starts in the morning of day 1 at 8:30am with a pick-up from our joining point location in Exmouth. Please see the joining point details in the Essential Trip Information. The trip ends in the afternoon of the last day at approximately 3pm back in Exmouth. Please take this into consideration when booking your arrival and departure flights.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A Single Supplement can be booked if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, subject to availability.

PHYSICAL RATING
Please read the itinerary carefully to make sure you are aware of the included hikes and walks on this trip.

Emergency contact

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

ALL general enquiry must be directed to our reservations team. In case of a GENUINE CRISIS OR EMERGENCY, or concerns about a missed pick-up on the day of departure ONLY (if applicable), you can reach our local office on the numbers listed below. When calling, select option 4 then option 2 from the phone menu to speak to our local Operations Team:

GENUINE EMERGENCY ONLY: 1300 544 882 or +61 8 6219 5164

Is this trip right for you

This trip requires a moderate to good level of fitness as it involves some walking, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.

When travelling in Western Australia, temperatures can be very hot during the day and drop quite dramatically at night. Have a think about what time of year suits you best to travel and pack accordingly.

As Western Australia is so big, you can expect a few long travel days. Driving through the every-changing scenery can be a great way to rest and recharge or get to know your fellow travellers a little better!

Why we love it

Spend three days in the Karijini National Park – Western Australia’s second-largest national park, with a diverse landscape of gorges and canyons more than 2.5 billion years old., Learn about station life with a stay at Cheela Plains – a family-owned and operated Outback cattle station., Travel inland and immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the Outback. Explore the National Park’s diverse landscape at Weano Gorge and Charles Knife Canyon., Walk through Hamersley Gorge and learn about the swirling, multi-coloured layers of rock formations unique to this area., Visit Kalamina Gorge – the shallowest gorge in the Karijini National Park. Walk through the small rock pools and swim in the Rock Arch Pool.

Group leader

AUSTRALIA LEADERS
All group trips are accompanied by a group leader. In Australia your group leader is often also your driver, taking you from start to finish. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, as well as recommend great local eating venues. They will also introduce you to our local friends along the way. Please be aware they will be juggling many things on your tour and on some days may have less time to spend with you. But they will always be working hard to ensure you and your group have a fantastic time exploring Australia!

Safety

TRAVEL ADVISORIES & ALERTS
We recommend that you check your government's foreign travel advisory for the latest information about the destination before you travel. You will also need to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. We also recommend saving the phone number for emergency consular assistance for your government’s consulate in the destination/s you’ll be travelling. Links to travel advisories and any current travel alerts for our trips can be found here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts

PERSONAL SAFETY
Ensure you have a secure method of carrying your passport, phone, credit cards and cash while travelling such as a money belt. Leave all other high value items, including jewellery, at home Use safety deposit boxes at hotels to store your valuables when available and ensure your luggage is lockable. Be aware of the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft. Exercise caution when walking at night, don’t walk alone and stick to well-lit streets wherever possible. Be vigilant on public transport and look out for your fellow travellers. Take precautions such as carrying your bag in front of you and never leaving personal items unattended.

LGBTQIA+ TRAVELLERS
Intrepid welcomes all LGBTQIA+ customers on our trips, however we operate in parts of the world that are less accepting. We support LGBTQIA+ customers to travel to these destinations and are committed to ensuring they face no discrimination on any part of the trip we control. We recommend you visit Equaldex (https://www.equaldex.com/) and your government's foreign travel advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers when choosing your trip., https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines, BEACH SAFETY
Rip currents are the leading hazard for all beach users. They can occur at any beach and can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea. Rip currents are responsible for around 15,000 beach rescues each year in Australia. To enjoy Australia's beaches safely, take the following simple precautions:
- Always swim between the red and yellow flags. These indicate that it is a supervised location where a lifesaving service is currently on duty.
- Do not swim at unsupervised locations.
- Observe and obey safety signage, which indicates current and typical hazards for that location.
- Ask a lifeguard or lifesaver for advice on conditions. They are there to make your experience safer and more enjoyable.
- Always swim with a friend – never swim alone.
- If you get into trouble, stay calm and signal for help by calling and waving your arm above your head.
- Be aware of your own limitations in terms of your physical health and your swimming ability in the given conditions. Never swim while, or after, consuming alcohol., SNORKELLING
Never dive or snorkel alone. Stay in a group when snorkelling, so someone knows where you are and when you are expected back. Check local conditions, tides, local currents, swells, current weather. Do not get caught out by tides or strong currents. Avoid heat exhaustion and sunburn. Wear dive shoes to protect your feet from sharp shells, broken coral and beach rock. Treat coral cuts with disinfectant. Don't delay treating coral cuts, as the even the smallest scratch can quickly become infected.

SWIMMING
Always swim with another member of your group. Do not go beyond your swimming abilities. Wear a life jacket at all times if you are not a confident swimmer and stay where it is shallow enough to touch the ground. Be aware of the real risk of stingers (jellyfish), particularly from November to March and wear a stinger suit if in the water.

STINGERS & OTHER MARINE WILDLIFE
Marine stingers, also known as irukandji, or stinging jellyfish, can cause extremely painful, burn-like, stinging welts, which need urgent medical attention. Wear 'stinger suits' (essentially full-body lycra suits) or protective clothing when snorkelling or entering the water. If stung:
- Leave the water immediately and move into shade.
- Douse the affected area with vinegar.
- Continue to dribble vinegar over the area for several minutes, or until the pain eases.
- If you run out of vinegar, use sea water not fresh water.
- Do not rub sand into the welts.
- Arrange urgent medical help and monitor the patient constantly.
- Look but do NOT touch
Some marine creatures are deadly. Cone shells, blue-ringed octopus, and stonefish will sting. It's painful and can be fatal. Never touch, take or tamper with any marine animals or plants. Everything is protected by law and penalties apply.

Visas

PASSPORT
You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date.

We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends.

VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements

Last modified (date)

Information not available.

Validity

Validity: 01 Jan 2026 to 31 Dec 2026

Additional Information

Health

GENERAL HEALTH
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.

When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. 

Food and dietary requirements

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule, our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

Money matters

SPENDING MONEY
When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling.

AUSTRALIA
The official currency of Australia is the Australian dollar (AUD). Card payments, including digital card payments like Apple Pay, are the most common form of payment in Australia. Many vendors add a small surcharge for card payments. Cash is accepted in most places and ATMs are common.

TIPPING
Tipping can be an appropriate way to recognise great service when travelling. While it may not be customary in your home country, it is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many of our destinations and is greatly appreciated by the people who take care of you during your travels. It is always best to avoid tipping with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes, as this can be regarded as an insult rather than the goodwill gesture it is intended to be.

YOUR GROUP LEADER OR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE
Tipping your group leader or local representative is highly appreciated if you feel they’ve provided outstanding services throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, as a guideline, the recommended amount is 4-7 USD or EUR per traveller per day (in a currency relevant to your destination). Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length and involvement of your group leader or local representative on your trip.

CONTINGENCY FUNDS
We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have access to an extra US$500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of universal travellers, however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs.

What to take

Below are some essential items for this trip. Please review the ‘Climate and Seasonal Information’ to ensure you pack appropriately for the weather at the time of year you are travelling.

- Lightweight clothing. You will need to bring a mixture of lightweight clothing and layers. Long shirts and pants are useful to protect against the harsh Australian sun. Clothes should be easy to wash and dry. Maybe bring a change of smart clothes for dinner in larger cities. Australia is pretty casual, shorts or a skirt and a top, with sandals, is our usual warm weather wardrobe.
- Comfortable, closed-in shoes. These will help to protect your feet from cuts and scratches when walking through bush/grasslands and will act as a protective barrier in the rare case of a bite or sting. A pair of sandals or thongs/flip flops are great for the beach.
- Sun protection. Wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, sunglasses.

VALUABLES
Try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables and use your hotel safe. It’s also a good idea to purchase a money belt or pouch that is easily hidden. We strongly recommend that you photocopy all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a photocopy makes it much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.

MORE!
If you need some further tips for packing, you can always check out our ultimate packing list., ADDITIONAL ITEMS RECOMMENDED:
- Day-pack - this will carry your lunch, water, sunscreen, hat and a towel for swimming
- Warm clothing in case of cold evenings and mornings - jumper, tracksuit pants, beanie, fleece jacket (Karijini can be quite cold over the winter months)
- Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes or boots (ankle support is recommended as many surfaces are rocky and uneven)
- Sandals/shoes for walking in water. Make sure they have good grip even when they're wet.
- Bathers and a swimming towel, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, WATER BOTTLE
Please bring your own water bottle to refill. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. When unable to avoid bottled water, it is better to buy the largest available and distribute it into your smaller bottle for the day. Some travellers like to bring a bottle with its own filtration system or water purification tablets. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip, you will need to carry at least 2 litres of water with you.

Climate and seasonal

Information not available.

A couple of rules

Intrepid won't tolerate any kind of violence, harassment (whether physical, verbal or sexual), or disrespect toward fellow travellers, our teams or local communities.

To ensure the wellbeing of everyone on the trip, decisions made by your group leader are final.

Romantic relationships between travellers and group leader or local representative are not permitted while on trip.

Any behaviour that prevents your leader from continuing the itinerary as planned, breaks local laws or opposes any of these guidelines may result in Intrepid denying your booking or removing you from the trip.

If something concerns you during your travels, please speak to your group leader immediately. Alternatively, you can contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in the Problems and Emergency Contact Information section of this Essential Trip Information.

Accommodation notes

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Transport notes

Information not available.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses, including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region, please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative.

If you have credit card insurance, your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number, rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements. For example, some mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality. Travellers from the European Union, Switzerland or the USA who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below:

Your fellow travellers

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure.

SOLO TRAVELLERS
On our trips, rooming is organised on a twin-share basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender, as per the gender marker on each of their passports.

We also offer an optional single supplement on most trips for travellers who prefer to have their own room. This only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre-trip and post-trip accommodation booked through us will always be on a single-room basis.

On a small selection of trips some accommodation will be open-gender and multishare, such as a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam. Please review the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information for details about your trip.

LGBTQIA+ TRAVELLERS
We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. If your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

Itinerary disclaimer

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist.

Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

ITINERARY CHANGES
Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns.


ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CULTURAL EXPERIENCES & COMMUNITIES
First Nations people have complex community obligations, and at times activities or experiences may be cancelled at late notice due to cultural commitments. In the case that we are unable to include planned activities with First Nations communities, we will endeavour to find a suitable alternative in the same or another destination on your trip.