Day 130 – 23rd May 2018 – Karijini, Dales Gorge

After a bit of researching we decided on starting with the Dales Gorge hikes but we wanted to go past the Karinjini Tourist Centre to drop off the Giralia brochures.  We had a look around the tourist centre and there was lots of interesting information and history.

We drove over to Dales Gorge to do the Category 4 hike to see Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool and Circular Pool.  The walk down was taking about 180 metal stairs into the Gorge which leads you to Fortescue falls.  You can swim at any of these spots but it felt fairly cool to us so we were not keen to get into the water, although the swimming holes did look beautiful.  The hike was challenging but very rewarding and I would encourage anyone to do it.  The photos can capture the visual aspect, but not the magic of being there or the sound of the waterfall.  Just spectacular.

We continued along the gorge to reach Fern’s Pool which is a beautiful swimming hole.  It is sacred Aboriginal Land and is not sign posted.  Just an amazing spot to visit and appreciate.

Take your time walking through the gorges, they are not long distances but the walks are fairly challenging in parts.  So beautiful!

We continued to walk the floor of the gorge until we reached Circular Pool.  This reminded me of Cathedral Gorge in the Bungle Bungles, except you could swim in the water.  Another magical Australian spot and a privilege to visit.  Both Col and I feel so lucky to be Australian and to get the opportunity to visit these places.

After appreciating all the beauty there comes a time where you have to leave the gorge and face the climb out!!  This photo is worth zooming in on Col’s face   It was a steep climb out and loose, rocky steps to get out.  But definitely worth the effort!

We stopped for some drone footage and to appreciate the views from the lookouts then started journey back to the car park along the gorge rim.

There is an Astronomy session you can join at Dales Gorge run by Remtrek which usually costs $30 per adult.  They had a free session on that evening as the ABC was trying to break a world record of the most people looking at one space object at the same time.  Remtrek could not participate fully as you needed a telescope per person, but ran a free session for people to come and look at the moon through the telescope and get photos of it taken on their phone.  It was amazing and an incredible way to end the night!