Experience the wildflower season, waterfalls and Gorges whilst hiking through loops and cliffs in WA’s picturesque North-West.
If you’ve got a few days up your sleeve, the north of the state is a breathtaking place for a hike – the coasts and forests you’ll see in the south are replaced with gigantic gorges, and red and orange landscapes peppered with colours during the wildflower season.
Kalbarri National Park
Located in the mid-north coast, the park offers spectacular hiking trails through deep-cut, red-rock gorges, and coastal cliffs.
Hikes include:
The Loop (8km)
Z-Bend lookout (1.2km); river trail (2.6km)
Red Bluff
Hawks Head
An added bonus is that July to October is wildflower season. If you’re headed further north, Karijini and Millstream Chichester national parks boast breathtaking gorges, crystal-clear rock pools, waterfalls and truly stunning scenery, plus fantastic camping.
[gallery columns="2" link="none" size="full" ess_grid_gal="" ids="https://media.localista.com.au/2018/09/shutterstock_519413827.jpg|Kalbarri National Park,https://media.localista.com.au/2018/09/z-bend-kalbarri-Toursim-WA-.jpg|Z Bend, Kalbarri National Park"]
Karijini Walks
Try the Gorge Rim Walk, which encompasses the most awe-inspiring features of the park. The initial track is 2km return (90 minutes), carving through to the Circular Pool Lookout.
If you’re up for a challenge, it’s worth tackling the steep decline into the gorge, where you’ll be rewarded with the spectacular Circular Pool and the trickling waterfall.
Further on, you’ll pass Fortescue Falls (great for a dip) and Fern Pool. The full loop runs for 5km, consisting of three walks joined together, and takes about four hours.
The experienced hiker will love the escarpments and vast basins that dominate the Millstream Chichester National Park in the northern Pilbara region.
The ancient landscape is harsh, yet a watercourse dotted with deep holes provides a point of connection through the park, and it’s awe-inspiring to reach each new waterhole teeming with lush vegetation and wildlife.
Kimberley Walks
The region is littered with fantastic walks. Hike up to Mitchell Falls, and take in as many Gorge walks as you can. If you’ve only got a couple of days, Purnululu National Park (home of the Bungle Bungle Ranges) is a must-do. It’s open from April to mid-December, but you’ll need a 4WD with high clearance.
The park has a few main walks. Be sure to take the Cathedral Gorge walk, where you mosey past the internationally acclaimed beehive formations and into the natural amphitheatre. The acoustics are unbelievable.
[gallery columns="1" link="none" size="full" ids="https://media.localista.com.au/2018/09/Purnululu-Park.jpg|Purnululu National Park"]
Summit Trail
Of the most demanding hikes in the north, the Summit Trail in Mount Augustus National Park is one of the most difficult. It might be a molehill on a world scale, but Mount Augustus is a mountain of a climb.
Its height belittles Uluru’s, so it’s no wonder that the 12km return climb is demanding, even for experienced hikers. The return walk to the summit takes the full day, about six to seven hours.
If you’re worried you’ll be in ‘struggle town’ during the journey, admit defeat and take the easier walk trails to the lookouts, swimming holes and picnic spots.
Image Source: Fern Pool - Shutterstock; Kalbarri National Park - Shutterstock; Z-bend; Shutterstock; Purnululu National Park - Shutterstock
