2nd April 2025

What You Really Need to Know Before Hiking in Karijini (or Remote WA)

Planning a trip to Karijini? Excellent choice. This rugged red-dirt paradise is one of WA’s crown jewels – think ancient gorges, next-level swimming spots, dramatic waterfalls and starry outback skies. But while it might look like something straight out of a tourism ad, Karijini isn’t your average day hike. It’s remote, wild, and a little unpredictable – in the best way.

So before you hit the trails and start filling your camera roll with waterfalls and wide-angle gorge shots, here’s what you really need to know about travelling safely in the great red north.

Remote Means Remote – Like, Really Remote

Karijini is tucked away in the Pilbara, about 1,400km from Perth. It’s around 100km to the nearest town (Tom Price), and if you’re deep in the gorges? Forget mobile reception. There’s no quick pitstop for band-aids, and no hospital around the corner.

If you take a tumble, get heatstroke, or run into any kind of medical drama, help is going to take time. Rescue ops can involve park rangers, volunteer SES crews, St John WA ambulance services, and the incredible team from the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) – and all of that can come with a pretty hefty price tag.

What We Can Do To Keep You Safe

When you join a guided tour with The Hike Collective in Karijini, we’ve already taken a number of steps to ensure things run smoothly and safely. But the reality is – remote touring in places like Karijini requires shared responsibility. There’s what we do to prepare, and what you need to do too.

Here’s what we’ve got covered:

Our Karijini guide is trained in Wilderness First Aid and experienced in remote area touring.
We carry satellite communication devices so we can reach emergency services, even without phone reception.
We’ve developed detailed emergency response plans aligned with DBCA protocols.
We run pre-tour safety briefings to walk you through the day’s conditions, terrain, and optional swimming activities.
We’re equipped with first aid kits and well-versed in field decision-making.
We adjust pace, rest stops, and support based on group needs and individual wellbeing.

But here’s the thing – we can’t do all the heavy lifting. Hiking in Karijini is a team effort, and your safety starts with you.

What You Need To Do

There are a few critical things we need from you to help make this an incredible and safe experience:

Be honest on your health form. Let us know about any medical conditions, recent injuries, or medications you’re taking. This info is confidential but essential.
Carry your own medication. That includes EpiPens, inhalers, insulin, or anything else you may need.
Make sure you’re physically up to it. Karijini trails are rocky, steep in sections, and the heat can creep up fast.
Have the right insurance or ambulance cover. We’ll call help if needed – but we can’t cover the bill.
Know that swimming is your call. If you choose to jump into Fern Pool, it’s at your own risk. We won’t supervise, but we’ll support your choice – and make sure you understand the risks first.

Who’s Coming If You Need Help?

In serious emergencies, it’s often the RFDS who step in to fly guests out to major hospitals. If you’re an Aussie resident, RFDS services are usually free. But here’s the catch – everything else (ambulance, hospital stays, logistics) might not be.

Let’s say you need to be stretchered out of a gorge by SES, driven by ambulance to an airstrip, then flown to Perth by the RFDS. The flight itself might not cost you a cent if you’re covered, but the road ambulance? That could be $1,200 for WA residents, and nearly $2,000 if you’re from out of state. And international guests without insurance? You could be looking at upwards of $30,000 for that flight. Ouch.

Aussies, Listen Up

We get it. You’ve got Medicare, so you’re covered, right? Well – not quite. Medicare won’t pay for your ambulance ride.

Queensland and Tasmania residents get Australia-wide ambulance coverage, but if you’re from anywhere else, double check what your health or ambulance membership covers. In many cases, if you’re outside your home state, you’re not covered. That means a hiking accident could land you with a bill that stings more than a Pilbara wasp.

So what should you do?

Make sure you’ve got ambulance cover through your private health fund.
Consider getting domestic travel insurance.

Travelling from Overseas?

One word: insurance.

Australia has an amazing healthcare system, but it doesn’t extend to visitors unless your country has a reciprocal healthcare agreement (and even then, no ambulance cover). You will get treated if something goes wrong, but you’ll also likely get a bill that’ll make your eyes water.

So here’s what to look for in your travel insurance:

Medical treatment and hospital cover
Emergency evacuation (this is a big one!)
Trip cancellations and delays
Personal liability

And don’t forget to declare any pre-existing medical conditions. Most insurers are happy to cover common stuff like asthma or high blood pressure – but only if you let them know in advance.

About Those Swimming Holes

Let’s be honest – half the appeal of Karijini is diving into spots like Fern Pool and Fortescue Falls. But these are natural waterholes, not resort pools. No lifeguards. No pool noodles.

Swimming is totally optional and completely at your own risk. At The Hike Collective:

We don’t advertise swimming as part of the tour, but we know it’s a likely add-on
Our guides don’t supervise swimming and won’t be getting in the water
You’ll get a clear pre-tour briefing, and you’ll sign a waiver beforehand

If you’re not a confident swimmer, it’s perfectly fine to skip it. You’ll still get the views (and the photos) without getting your feet wet.

How Fit Do You Need to Be?

Karijini isn’t Everest, but it’s no Sunday stroll either. The trails are rocky, uneven, sometimes steep, and often hot. You’ll want to be able to comfortably walk up to 10km on rough ground.

Before you go, ask yourself:

Can I hike for a few hours in warm weather?
Do I have any injuries or health conditions to manage?
Am I bringing any medications I might need?

Let your guide know if there’s something they should be aware of. We still need to know if you’ve got asthma, an allergy, or anything else important.

What to Pack

Remote hiking means packing smart. You’ll want:

2 litres of water (minimum!)
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, long sleeves)
Good hiking shoes
Snacks and lunch
Basic first aid kit and any personal medical supplies
Swimwear and a quick-dry towel if you plan to swim
Reef shoes for walking in the gorges

Also, download the Emergency Plus app – it gives you GPS coordinates for emergencies. If you’re travelling without a guide, we’d suggest carrying a PLB (personal locator beacon).

If Something Goes Wrong

Here’s a real-world example:

A guest breaks their ankle in a gorge. SES volunteers are called. It takes hours to extract them. Then comes a 100km ambulance trip to Tom Price hospital ($1,900 if you’re uninsured). If surgery’s required, the RFDS flies them to Perth. That flight alone is valued at over $30,000. If you’re an Aussie resident, RFDS likely covers it. If you’re a tourist without insurance? You’re footing the bill.

That’s why we say it again: travel insurance, or ambulance cover, or ideally both.

Before You Go: The Karijini Checklist

Aussie? Confirm your ambulance cover – don’t assume it works across state lines
From overseas? Get comprehensive travel insurance (with medical + evac)
Planning a swim? Make sure you’re confident in the water
Got a health condition? Let us know – we’ve got your back
Don’t expect phone reception – our guides carry satellite devices for emergencies

Karijini is pure WA magic – deep gorges, red cliffs, cool waterholes, and some of the best hiking you’ll ever do. With a little bit of prep and the right partnership between you and us, you’ll be ready to soak it all in safely.

Have questions before your tour? The Hike Collective team is always here to help.

Disclaimer: This blog is general in nature and doesn’t replace medical, travel, or insurance advice. We’re not affiliated with any providers. Do your own homework, and travel smart.