Karijini Experience is back for another year to celebrate culture, art, food, and music in four, jam-packed days. The diverse, authentic, and inclusive program is designed to forge connections between the community, the traditional owners, the Banjima people, and the 2.5-billion-year-old Karijini National Park. From fine dining under the stars to live music performances and free family-friendly gatherings, the celebration welcomes both locals and visitors alike.
2024 Events
From April 4th to 7th, 2024, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of WA’s second-largest national park. From guided walks to bush medicine and language workshops, here’s what you can expect from the fun-filled line-up of high-quality arts and culture experiences designed to connect people with the breathtaking landscape.
Welcome to Country & Barlgabi
The official opening of the 2024 Karijini Experience will kick off with a heartfelt Welcome to Country by the land’s Traditional Owners. The ceremony will feature a corroboree and smoking ceremony (where guests will be invited to participate), followed by a musical performance.
When: Thursday, April 4th
Price: Free
Toured Walks
Explore the cultural history and native plants of the region on a guided bush walk. The tour departs from the Karijini Visitor Centre and ventures into Karijini National Park.
When: Friday, April 5th to Sunday, April 7th
Price: $35.00 per person
Tickets are available here.
Bush Medicine Workshop
Join Cherylea Walker for an engaging workshop on the uses and significance of bush medicine plants in the Pilbara. This family-friendly workshop offers a rare opportunity for hands-on learning with demonstrations and tastings.
When: Friday, April 5th
Price: Free
Storytelling
Visit the Elders tent at The Village for the opportunity to listen to their enthralling stories and immerse yourself in the rich culture and heritage of the Banjima people.
When: Friday, April 5th to Sunday, April 7th
Price: Free
Language Workshop
Join Traditional Owner and author, May Byrne, as she captivates audiences with stories and readings from her book “Banjima (Milyuranba Banjima)”. May will also offer guests the opportunity to learn some key phrases and expressions of the Banjima language.
When: Friday, April 5th to Sunday, April 7th
Price: Free
Fervor’s Karijini Dining Experience
Delight in a degustation that highlights locally sourced produce, with each course passionately prepared before your eyes by the capable hands of guest chef Paul Iskov from Fervor. You’ll also enjoy canapés, wine, and beer, whilst soaking up the breathtaking sunset vistas of Dales Gorge, all while gaining insight into Banjima culture from an Elder.
When: Friday, April 5th and Saturday, April 6th
Price: $280.00 per person
Tickets are available here.
Movie Night
Bring your own chairs and settle in for a movie night under the stars. Stick around after for live music Jam Sessions.
When: Friday, April 5th
Price: Free
Football Workshop
From their journey into the sport, to their experiences and insights, WAFL players will head a workshop covering topics including training regimens, nutrition, and more.
When: Saturday, April 6th
Price: Free
Weekend Markets
Browse through an array of unique and handmade treasures, crafts, and creations at the Weekend Market, featuring artisanal wares from regional and remote Western Australia.
When: Saturday, April 6th and Sunday, April 7th
Price: Free
Kids Crafts and Painting
Let the little ones unleash their creativity with craft and painting activities at The Village.
When: Friday, April 5th to Sunday, April 7th
Price: Free
Yurlu Lounge
Revel in the enchanting magic of the night sky in the Yurlu Lounge, where you’ll enjoy performances by Indigenous Australian musicians under the stars.
When: Saturday, April 6th
Price: Free – $60.00
Tickets are available here.
Accommodation
There is a range of accommodation options available in and around Karijini National Park.
Karratha
As the gateway to Karijini Experience, Karratha is the perfect place to stay before or after attending the event.
Karijini Eco Retreat
Located at the west end of the park, Karijini Eco Retreat is 74 kilometres by 2WD from the festival location or 32 kilometres by 4WD. The retreat features safari-style eco tents for an outback glamping experience, as well as cabins and campsites nestled amongst the native bushland, plus a restaurant and bar. Prices range from $44.00 per night for an unpowered site, to $875.00 per night for a luxury eco tent.
Dales Campground
Situated ten kilometres from the festival location, at the east end of the park, Dales is a self-sufficient campsite with toilet and barbeque facilities. There isn’t any drinking water, so guests need to bring their own.
Auski Tourist Village and Roadhouse
Auski is located 65 kilometres from the festival site, at the intersection of the Northern Gorge Access Road and the Great Northern Highway between Newman and Port Hedland. There are campsites and hotel accommodation available, as well as restaurants and laundry facilities.
Tom Price Summer Star Tourist Park
Situated 100 kilometres from the festival site, Tom Price Tourist Park features a range of accommodation options including powered campsites, budget accommodation, cabins, and chalets. Prices range from $26.00 to $379.00 per night.
Karijini Overflow Campground
Open from April to October only, Karijini Overflow is a hard-surface area without marked campsites. The sites have no power or drinking water and showers are available for a fee at the Karijini Visitor Centre.
How To Get There
Fly
There are multiple flights from Perth to Karratha daily with Qantas, Virgin, and Nexus Airlines, where you’ll need to hire a car upon your arrival. Alternatively, the closest airports to Karijini are Paraburdoo or Newman.
Drive
Perth to Karijini (coastal route): it’s a 1,250 kilometre drive from Perth to Karijini via Exmouth along the Ningaloo coast. There are many picturesque places to pull into along the way to get a quick rest and reduce driver fatigue, including Dongara, Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Monkey Mia, and Coral Bay.
The drive from Exmouth to Karijini is 655 kilometres via Nanutarra Roadhouse. Along the way, you can stop in for a coffee or stay the night at Cheela Plains Station.
Exmouth to Karratha is 550 kilometres. From there, Karijini is another 370 kilometres for 4WD or 484 kilometres for 2WD via Port Hedland.
Perth to Karijini (inland route): it’s a 1,400 kilometre drive from Perth to Karijini, through the Miners Pathway up the Great Northern Highway. You’ll pass through the historic towns of New Norcia, Paynes Find, Mount Magnet, and Cue. Stop into Newman, just before you hit Karijini Drive for a great range of food and accommodation options or to rest and refuel.
Unsealed Roads
The road to Dales Gorge is sealed, as is the road to the Karijini Visitors Centre, except for the last three kilometres. All other roads are unsealed, so it’s recommended that you drive at a safe, slow speed. A 4WD is also recommended if you’re taking the dirt road between the Visitors Centre and the Karijini Eco Retreat; otherwise, it’s advised to take the long way around on the bitumen in a 2WD.
Things To Do While You’re In The Pilbara
The Pilbara region is renowned for its ancient landscapes, vibrant red Earth, and one of the world’s largest collections of Aboriginal rock art. While you’re there, it’s well worth sticking around to explore.
Some of the best experiences on offer include: island hopping in the Dampier Archipelago and Mackerel Islands, hike and swim at Karijini National Park, take a guided tour of the Burrup Peninsula (Murujuga National Park), watch the Staircase to the Moon in Broome, and explore Millstream Chichester National Park.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Karijini Experience website.
