21st May 2025

What to Pack for a Gorge Hike: Your Ultimate Karijini Gear Guide

Gorge hikes hit different.

They’re not your average bushwalk. One minute you’re clambering down red rock ledges, the next you’re wading through waist-deep water or floating in a still pool surrounded by billion-year-old cliffs. And in Karijini National Park, this isn’t the exception—it’s the norm.

So when it comes to packing for a gorge hike, what you leave behind is just as important as what you bring. You want to be light, prepared, protected, and ready for just about anything (especially getting wet).

Whether you’re hiking Hancock Gorge Karijini, Weano Gorge Karijini, or Dales Gorge Karijini, here’s your curated, expert-approved packing list—made for Karijini gorge hiking the Hike Collective way: slow, intentional, and nature-connected.

First, Know the Terrain

Before we jump into the gear, let’s talk terrain. A typical Karijini gorge hike can involve:

• Rock scrambling (both dry and wet)
  
• Descents via metal ladders or steep rocky paths
  
• Creek crossings or sections you’ll need to swim
  
• Deep, shaded pools with cold water—even in warm weather
  
• Loose stones, slippery ledges, and zero reception

It’s part hike, part obstacle course, part water adventure. So your gear needs to be:

• Grippy
  
• Lightweight
  
• Water-compatible
  
• Secure (nothing that’ll float away if you take a dip)

Your Gorge Hike Packing List

1. Shoes with Grip That Can Get Wet

This is non-negotiable. The single biggest mistake we see in Karijini National Park is people hiking gorges in old runners or flip-flops. Gorge rock is smooth and slick—especially in Spider Walk Karijini or Handrail Pool Karijini.

Your best bet:

• Trail runners or wet trail shoes with excellent grip
  
• Water shoes with a solid sole
  
• Old runners (only if they’ve got tread and you’re ready to trash them)

Avoid:

• Smooth-soled sneakers
  
• Open sandals or thongs
  
• Heavy hiking boots (great on dry trails, awful in the water)

2. Quick-Dry Clothing (Top to Bottom)

You’re going to get wet. Embrace it.

Recommended outfit:

• Quick-dry shorts or active leggings
  
• Lightweight, moisture-wicking shirt or tank
  
• Swimmers underneath or integrated into your outfit
  
• Optional: long-sleeve sun shirt or rashie for UV protection

Leave cotton at home. Once it’s wet, it stays wet—and heavy.

3. Swimmers + Microfibre Towel

You’ll want to swim. Even if you say you won’t, even if you think the water will be too cold—you’ll see that sparkling Karijini gorge pool and you’ll go in. Guaranteed.

Pack:

• A swimsuit
  
• A small microfibre towel—light, quick-drying, and easy to pack
  
• Dry change of clothes for after (especially if you’re driving or hiking back in cooler air)

Pro Tip: Change into swimmers before starting the Karijini hike so you don’t need to fuss with gear trailside.

4. Dry Bag or Waterproof Pouch

You’ll need somewhere to stash:

• Phone
  
• Camera
  
• First aid items
  
• Snacks

We recommend a 5L dry bag for Karijini day hikes—just enough for essentials, small enough to carry easily. Bonus if it floats.

If you’re not using a dry bag, use zip-seal bags inside your pack as an emergency backup.

5. Lightweight Daypack (That You Can Get Wet)

Keep it simple. You’re not trekking the Andes—you’re dipping in and out of Karijini rock pools.

Your pack should be:

• Small (under 20L)
  
• Lightweight
  
• Not precious (aka it’s OK if it gets scratched or damp)
  
• Fitted snugly—loose straps are a hazard on narrow ledges

If your pack isn’t waterproof, line it with a garbage bag or dry sack.

6. Hat, Sunglasses & Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Even if you’re in and out of shady gorges, sun protection is a must. WA sun is intense year-round, and many Karijini hikes start or end in full exposure.

• Wide-brimmed hat or cap with good fit
  
• Polarised sunglasses (they help you see through the water glare)
  
• Reef-safe sunscreen (look for zinc-based, biodegradable options)

Apply sunscreen before entering gorge pools—minimise impact on delicate ecosystems.

7. Water – Lots of It

Most Karijini gorge trails have zero water access, and even when you’re walking beside it, it’s not safe to drink.

We recommend:

• At least 2–3 litres per person for a half-day Karijini hike
  
• A hydration bladder or bottle in an easy-to-reach spot
  
• Electrolytes if it’s hot or you’re hiking long distances

Dehydration in Karijini creeps up fast—it’s dry, hot, and you’re often exerting more than you realise.

8. Basic First Aid Kit

We’re not talking expedition-level here—but you’ll want the essentials in case of scrapes or blisters.

Include:

• Blister pads or band-aids
  
• Antiseptic wipes
  
• Tweezers (for spinifex or splinters)
  
• A compression bandage
  
• Personal medications
  
• Snake bite bandage (optional, but useful for longer Karijini hikes)

Keep your kit dry and accessible.

9. Snacks That Can Survive the Heat

After a cold swim and a rocky climb, a good snack hits different.

Go for:

• Energy bars
  
• Dried fruit
  
• Trail mix (salty > sweet)
  
• Sandwich in a container (if you’re planning a longer stop)

Skip anything that’ll melt, get soggy, or disintegrate if dunked.

10. Navigation + Safety Essentials

Even though many Karijini gorge trails are well-signed, phone reception is patchy or non-existent in Karijini National Park.

Bring:

• Offline trail map (download before arrival)
  
• Emergency contact plan
  
• Personal locator beacon (if hiking alone or in remote areas)

Let someone know your trail plan and return time.

Better safe than searching for a signal from the gorge floor.

Optional (But Recommended) Extras

• Trekking poles: Helpful for stability on dry descents
  
• GoPro or waterproof camera: For those underwater shots
  
• Headlamp: If you’re doing early morning or late-day hikes
  
• Light thermal top: For after-swim warmth if it’s cool

What NOT to Bring

• Heavy backpacks
  
• Drones (not allowed in Karijini)
  
• Speakers or loud music
  
• Glass bottles
  
• Fancy clothes or “cute” shoes
  
• Disposable plastic anything

Keep It Light. Keep It Simple. Keep It Respectful.

Packing for a Karijini gorge hike is about balancing readiness with respect. You want to be equipped, but not overloaded. Prepared, but present. When you hike light, you hike free—free to move, explore, swim, and connect.

And in Karijini National Park, connection is what it’s all about. Connection to the land, to the stillness, to the deep time carved into the stone walls around you.

So pack mindfully, tread lightly, and don’t forget to look up.

Ready to hit the gorges?

Join The Hike Collective for a guided Karijini hiking tour—designed for comfort, safety, and a deeper experience of WA’s most unforgettable Karijini hiking trails.
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