12th May 2025

Karijini in Winter – What to Expect

If you think Karijini National Park is all about scorching red rock and sweaty summer hikes, we’ve got news for you: winter is one of the absolute best times to experience this ancient landscape.

From cool, crowd-free mornings to star-studded skies and refreshing dips in gorge pools, Karijini in winter (May to September) is peak hiking season for good reason.

But it’s not all sunshine and dry trails—you’ll still need to plan properly, pack smart, and know what you’re in for. So if you’re heading north this winter or dreaming up your next escape, here’s everything you can expect (and why you’ll love it) when visiting Karijini National Park in the cooler months.

1. Perfect Hiking Weather

Let’s start with the obvious: winter is Karijini’s sweet spot for hiking.

Daytime temperatures in July and August sit around 20–26°C, with low humidity and consistent sunshine. It’s warm enough to hike all day, but cool enough that you’re not gasping for shade by 10am.

Morning and evening temps can drop to 5°C or lower, especially if you’re camping or catching sunrise from Mount Bruce—so pack those layers!

Tip: Start your hikes early. Morning light in the gorges is golden, trails are quiet, and the cool air makes those steeper Karijini hiking trails much easier.

2. Gorge Water Levels Are Ideal

Karijini’s waterholes and falls rely on seasonal rain to fill and flow—and by winter, the gorges have usually settled into clear, swimmable conditions.

Fortescue Falls Karijini flows consistently through winter
Fern Pool Karijini remains refreshingly cold but crystal clear
Kermits Pool Karijini and Handrail Pool Karijini in the deeper gorges are accessible and often less crowded

Just be warned: the water is COLD. Like, take-your-breath-away cold. But on a warm day, or after a tough Karijini hike? It’s pure magic.

Pro Tip: Bring a lightweight microfibre towel and a warm layer for after your swim. Dry off quickly and bask in the sun.

3. Fewer Crowds, More Stillness

Karijini is never “busy” in the city sense, but winter is when the park hits its stride—popular, but peaceful.

You’ll see more hikers on the major Karijini hiking trails, and the Eco Retreat tends to fill up fast (so book early), but there’s still plenty of solitude to be found.

Early mornings and later afternoons are the best times for quiet trails
Mount Bruce at sunrise offers a powerful, crowd-free summit experience
Hancock Gorge Karijini and Weano still feel wild—especially if you go midweek

Winter bonus: With fewer storms and lower fire risk, trails are generally open and safe—unlike the wet or shoulder seasons when rockfall or flooding can close key areas.

4. The Stargazing is Next-Level

With clear skies and cold, dry air, Karijini in winter offers some of the best stargazing in Australia.

There’s no light pollution. None. Just vast outback skies and a Milky Way that stretches across the horizon like a cosmic river.

Bring binoculars or a stargazing app to help you identify constellations
Stay at Karijini Eco Retreat or Dales Campground for epic night views right from your tent
Look up just before sunrise—the sky turns indigo, and the stars fade slowly over the Hamersley Ranges. Worth setting the alarm for.

Cultural Note: In some Indigenous cultures, the night sky is considered a mirrored version of the land—watching the stars is a way of reading Country.

5. Cooler Nights = Campfire Vibes (With Rules)

Nothing beats the feeling of sitting around a fire after a big day of Karijini hiking. In winter, it’s actually needed—with temps dipping close to freezing on some nights.

But: not all parts of Karijini National Park allow campfires.

Fire Rules:

Karijini Eco Retreat: Fires are not permitted
Dales Campground: Fires are not permitted at all sites—check signs or ask rangers
Leave No Trace: Never collect wood from the bush, and fully extinguish your fire before bed

If you’re not up for fire logistics, just layer up, bring a flask of something warm, and enjoy the stars instead.

6. It’s the Best Time for Multi-Day Adventures

The cooler weather means you can comfortably hike, swim, camp, and explore over several days, without worrying about heat exhaustion or storm delays.

Winter is when we host most of our guided Karijini hiking adventures—because it’s the safest, most rewarding time to experience the park’s full beauty.

Think:

Full-day Karijini hikes through Dales Gorge, Weano, and Hancock
Early morning summit of Mount Bruce with coffee at the top
Stargazing sessions by the fire
Cultural insights from Traditional Owner guides (where available)

Want us to plan it for you? Our winter trips include expert guides, safety support, and all the gear tips you need.

7. Wildlife Is (Subtly) on the Move

You won’t find crowds of kangaroos in Karijini National Park—but if you look carefully, winter is a surprisingly good time for spotting native wildlife.

Rock wallabies sun themselves on cliff edges
Goannas and skinks come out to warm up on trails
Birdlife is active, especially early morning near waterholes
Bats skim the pools at dusk (especially Fern Pool Karijini)
You might even hear dingoes calling at night—a little haunting, very outback

Reminder: Always view wildlife from a distance, and never feed animals—human food disrupts natural behaviour and can be harmful.

What to Pack for Winter in Karijini

Clothing:

Lightweight long-sleeve hiking layers
A warm jumper or fleece for early starts
Beanie and gloves (especially for sunrise hikes)
Swimmers + towel for gorges
Sturdy hiking boots or wet trail shoes
Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, glasses

Essentials:

3L+ water per day
Headlamp for pre-dawn Karijini hikes
Snacks and high-energy trail food
Dry bags for electronics
First aid kit

Bonus: Pack a camp chair or mat—Karijini National Park is full of spots to stop and sit for a while. Slowing down is half the joy.

Why Winter Might Be the Best Season of All

Karijini National Park is always powerful. But in winter, it’s particularly generous.

You get clear skies, perfect trail temps, cold-but-magical swims, and a sense of stillness that’s hard to describe until you’ve stood in a gorge at sunrise with steam rising from the pool.

It’s when the park is at its most accessible, most photogenic, and most welcoming for those who want to walk gently, breathe deeply, and really connect with this ancient place.

So if you’ve been thinking about a Karijini hiking tour, but weren’t sure when to go—this is your sign.

Winter is waiting. And it’s stunning.