- Day-use areas, viewing facilities, and upgraded access roads part of $21.2 million in upgrades to Karijini National Park
- Iconic tourism destination attracts 650,000 visitors a year
- Plans now underway to build a $2.5 million hike-and-cycle trail nearby at Red Gorge
The Cook Labor Government is transforming Karijini National Park with new day-use areas, viewing facilities and upgraded access roads officially opened at the iconic holiday destination.
Karijini National Park attracts more than 650,000 visits a year, with many tourists visiting between April and October.
The upgrades, valued at $21.2 million, include:
- an additional 120 carpark bays, 12 long-vehicle bays, plus new picnic facilities and toilets at Weano Gorge;
- sealing 41 kilometres of access roads for two-wheel-drive vehicles between Weano Gorge, Karijini Eco Retreat and Dales Gorge;
- new picnic facilities at Fortescue Falls day-use area adjacent to Dales Gorge; and
- a new cantilevered steel lookout extending out over Knox Gorge.
Plans are also underway to build a new $2.5 million hike-and-cycle trail at Red Gorge, funded through the Cook Labor Government's Outdoor and Adventure Tourism Package announced in April 2024.
For more information about the park go to www.dbca.wa.gov.au/karijiniroads.
As stated by Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
"The breathtaking Karijini landscape has to be seen to be believed, with its cascading waterfalls, ancient deep gorges and rich cultural history.
"There's so much to take in that visitors should plan to explore Karijini over a couple of days, including camping in the park or glamping at the Karijini Eco Retreat."
As stated by Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Attractions and infrastructure are a critical part of tourism, and ensuring sites like Karijini National Park remain world-class is so important, so they can continue attracting hundreds of thousands of people a year.
"Importantly, these new facilities will have a positive flow-on effect to local operators, who rely on good infrastructure to keep attracting visitors."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"The construction phase of this project has directly supported 55 jobs.
"The economic benefits will continue to flow into the future as these new facilities attract more visitors to the Pilbara, which is great for regional businesses."
As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
"The upgraded roads are a gamechanger for tourism, especially for Banjima Traditional Owners who operate the Karijini Eco Retreat, as we've dramatically improved visitor access to the park's world-famous gorges and lookouts."
