FAQ's

NO. Pets are not permitted in the Karijini National Park. Pet boarding facilities are available in Tom Price and Newman.

There is nowhere within the National Park where you can refuel. The closest fuel stations are at Tom Price (around 80km to the west) and Auski Roadhouse (around 135km to the east).

Guests using the Optus network will have mobile phone connectivity at the Karijini Eco Retreat, Visitor Centre & Dales Campground with effect from April 2018. For customers of other networks, there is a pay phone located near reception at the Eco Retreat for public use. Phone cards are available for purchase from Reception.

To get to the Karijini Eco Retreat you will need to travel on approx. 35kms of unsealed roads (if approaching from the Visitor Centre) or 3kms if approaching via Bunjima Drive (western entrance). These roads are graded several times during the year by the shire and are normally in relatively good condition however some sections can become quite corrugated at times, particularly during busy periods. For this reason we recommend coming in by 4WD vehicle, however many of our guests do travel in with standard vehicles and manage the trip very well. If you are renting a vehicle please check the policy regarding unsealed roads with your rental company.

If there is severe weather in the area localised flooding can occur and the Karijini National Park rangers may sometimes close the park to all but 4WD vehicles, or close the park completely.

The Department of Main Roads of Western Australia regularly updates its website with road conditions throughout the Pilbara (and WA in general) at www.mainroads.wa.gov.au

Please bear in mind when driving anywhere in the remote Pilbara it is a good idea to carry plenty of spares and a good supply of water – and always make sure when setting out on a big trip that someone knows where you are going, what time you are expected to return and which route you are planning to take!

Currently, camp fires are NOT permitted anywhere in the Karijini National Park.

The park's climate can best be described as tropical semi-desert. A highly variable, mainly summer rainfall of 250–350 mm, often associated with thunderstorms and cyclones, is accompanied by temperatures frequently topping 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The ideal times to visit the park are late autumn, the winter months and early spring. Winter days are warm and clear but nights can get extremely cold and sometimes frosty.

A guide to temperatures throughout the year is (given in degrees Celsius):

• January. Average max. of 39 and min. of 26
• April. Average max. of 33 and min. of 21
• July. Average max. of 24 and min. of 11
• October. Average max. of 35 and min. of 20
During the winter months of June, July and August please ensure that you bring some warm clothing, particularly for children at night.

Please note that entry fees apply to many WA national parks including Karijini National Park. Passes are available for purchase from the Department of Parks and Wildlife website (www.dpaw.wa.gov.au), any Visitor Centre, entry points to the park (cash only) or at the Eco Retreat Reception (cash only).

No - we do not have guest laundry facilities inside the national park. Closest facilities are at Tom Price Tourist Park and these are chargeable. Please enquire directly with them to confirm.

Yes - In August 2019 Optus upgraded their infrastructure at the Eco Retreat. Guests who use the Optus network now have 4G connectivity via their own mobile device at the Karijini Eco Retreat. Please note that coverage and speeds are subject to network availability and the number of guests using the facility (these factors are not under our control). **No other networks are currently available.

Yes - Shared ablutions are available at the Eco Retreat for Campsite guests. Solar hot water showers, flushing loos and basins are located in each camping loop. Please note that the availability of hot water is subject to weather conditions and is out of our control.

There are a number of local suppliers who can quote you for land transport/airstrip transfers, tours and activities during the peak season (April to October inclusive) as follows: www.westozactive.com.au www.lestoktours.com.au www.flyingsandgroper.com.au Please note that the Eco Retreat do not offer transfers. Tour Operators do not offer services to the National Park during the low season (November to March inclusive).

Karijini National Park is very much a self-drive destination and due to its remote location, guests mostly prefer to drive their own vehicle or a rental vehicle. If renting your vehicle please ensure you check terms and conditions directly with the rental company as they may have restrictions in place for driving on unsealed roads. Please ensure you select the correct vehicle category for the location. For guests flying to Paraburdoo, vehicle rental options are available from Hertz, Budget, Avis & Thrifty. For driving directions to the Karijini Eco Retreat, please visit www.karijiniecoretreat.com.au/directions

Qantas have regular, direct flights into, and out of, Paraburdoo airport. The airport has full hire car facilities available through Avis, Hertz, Budget & Thrifty. The distance from Paraburdoo to Karijini Eco Retreat is approximately 130kms and takes around 90 minutes by car. There is also a light aircraft landing strip at Karijini Visitors Centre. For further details please contact the Karijini Visitors Centre on (08) 9189 8121.

Of course, what you pack is largely driven by your own personal circumstances but here are some suggestions that other guests have found to be useful; • Sunscreen & sunhat • Insect repellent • Torch • Closed in walking shoes • Swimming attire • Beach towel • Old runners or aqua socks for swimming in the gorges • A warm jacket, gloves and beanie and warm sleep attire (for the chilly winter evenings) • Toiletries • Hot water bottle (we can fill them up in reception for you)

Check-in time is from 2pm daily and Reception is open until 9pm (April to October) and 7pm (November to March). If you are going to arrive after hours, please contact our Reception team directly on (08) 9189 8013 prior to closure for 'out of hours' arrival procedure.

We have four basic, undercover bush kitchens scattered throughout the Retreat for the convenience of our guests. These consist of a gas BBQ, sink, preparation area and seating. Please bring your own cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery as these are not provided. Guests may also bring their own gas BBQ and this is recommended for campers particularly during school holiday periods when we are at full capacity. Please note that there is no power in the 'bush kitchens' so kettles, toasters and microwaves are NOT provided. Our kiosk area has a small supply of food staples, toiletry items, ice-creams and lollies (subject to availability). Ice is available at the kiosk located in Reception. Our fully licensed restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a simple take-away option is available during peak periods. Packed picnic lunches and refills should be ordered at Reception the night prior to requirement.

The water from the taps at the Eco Retreat is drinkable however, we ask that you use it sparingly by limiting your showers and not washing your vehicles. As we have water shortages at the Retreat, we encourage guests to bring their own water if possible, especially when camping. Bottled water is also available for purchase from the kiosk. Please note that water from sources outside of the Eco Retreat facility are not managed nor monitored by ourselves and therefore are not drinkable. This includes the water tank near the junction of Weano Road and Bunjima Drive.

No - each camping loop at the Eco Retreat has ablutions with shared shower, toilet and basin facilities. There is no water connection for caravans/motorhomes and it is recommended that guests use the ablutions provided and arrive with full tanks if required.

No - our camping loops do not offer a grey water disposal option. Shared ablutions with shower, toilet and basin facilities are provided in each camping loop.

No - All accommodations operate differently and pre-selection of specific campsites is NOT available at the Eco Retreat. Allocated site numbers can only be confirmed to guests at the time of check-in and are not provided ahead of stay.

None of our Deluxe Eco Tents have air-conditioning and are designed with canvas walls that can be unzipped and folded down to allow natural ventilation and to allow you to have a full view of your surroundings.

We have a limited number of Deluxe Eco Tents at the retreat where CPAP (Sleep Apnea) machines can be used. Please ensure that you mention this when the booking is made so our friendly staff can allocate you the correct tent that will accommodate the machine. Please note that all other accommodation options have insufficient power for these machines and so are not suitable.

No - ALL of our campsites at the Eco Retreat (and in fact the entire National Park) are unpowered. Guests may bring their own generator which can be used in the Eco Retreat camping loops between 4pm and 8pm daily. Closest powered sites can be found outside of the National Park at Tom Price.

No - the power supply is limited and so no refrigeration is available. Each Deluxe Eco Tent and Dorm Eco Cabin room have an Eski or cool box for keeping items cool. Guests staying in Unpowered 'Dorm Style' Eco Tents and Campsites should bring an Eski or cool box if so required. Bags of ice can be purchased at the Reception.

Complimentary coffee and tea is available at the Reception for our Deluxe Eco Tent guests. A thermos flask, tea and coffee supplies are also provided in each Deluxe Eco Tent and hot water is available at Reception during opening hours. Guests in all other accommodation types and campsite guests may purchase coffee and tea at Reception.

Power for the Karijini Eco Retreat is primarily provided by the sun. Two large banks of solar panels charge a series of batteries to provide the majority of power needed by the Retreat and its guests, diesel generators provide backup power when required.

Each Deluxe Eco Tent has only just enough power for lighting and for low power electrical applications (such as recharging a camera battery or a laptop). Each powered Eco Tent is equipped with a 1.5 amp breaker switch, appliances such as hairdryers, portable fridges, irons, toasters and kettles will trip the breaker.

Campsites are unpowered.

For the comfort of guests staying at the Retreat personal generators can only be used within the camping loops at Karijini Eco Retreat between the hours of 4pm - 8pm daily.

Whilst Karijini Eco Retreat welcomes both you and your children is it important to be aware that we are situated in natural, rugged terrain that can pose severe dangers to unsupervised children. We ask that you closely supervise your children at all times whilst in the Park.

We have a limited number of Eco Tents available designed with young families in mind, these feature a King Size bed for Mum and Dad and a bunk bed for up to two children. Due to the limited numbers of these tents, early booking is advised especially during school holiday periods. Please note that these tents are more suitable for families with children. For groups of 4 adults or more we would recommend that you book multiple Deluxe Eco Tents, Dorm Cabin rooms or a Dorm Style Eco Tent.

Maximum occupancy on our campsites is 1 vehicle (plus tent, trailer or caravan) and up to 6 people. All vehicles must be parked on a designated campsite and the number of sites required will usually be dependant upon how many vehicles you are bringing in to the park. Parking more than one car on a site is NOT permitted.

Our accommodations come complete with linen and towels. The towels are for bathroom use only and if you would like to swim in the gorges, please bring your own beach towel. During the winter months (June to August inclusive) guests are reminded that night time temperatures can drop to zero degrees and below. We recommend that you bring warm clothing (or thermals) for bed time, particularly if travelling with children or infants.

The Dorm Eco Cabins are provided with 12 volt lighting & 12 volt electricity only. Adapters are required.

The Dorm Eco Cabins are provided with a cupboard for each guest and padlocks are available from reception if you require a place to secure any valuables.