The spectacular Karijini National Park is best visited from May through September, which falls across the late autumn, winter, and the early part of spring. By visiting at this time of year, you avoid the blistering heat that characterizes the late spring, summer months, and early autumn. In contrast, days from May to September are warm, dry, and comfortable. While the nights can get cool, it’s a much better trade-off than summer daytime temperatures that regularly exceed 40°C. You also benefit from avoiding the wettest season during the summer months.
Karijini National Park is located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Set in a remote semi-desert landscape, it’s far from any major towns or cities. The closest major town is Port Hedland on the north coast, over 340 km away by road. This is relatively close compared to the state capital, Perth, which is 1380 km away by road. While the park might be remote, it certainly rewards the visitors who venture there.
Set just above the Tropic of Capricorn, the Karijini National Park benefits from a warm year-round climate. It also benefits from its inland location as the strong winds that frequent the west coast of Australia ease as you head inland. While this all sounds pretty idyllic, you need to plan ahead when visiting Karijini National Park. Certain times of the year can present conditions that can be very dangerous.
Rainfall during the year is very limited, with an average of less than 300 mm falling each year. The wettest season is during the summer, with February being the wettest month. However, such minuscule levels of rain shouldn’t be a factor in deciding when to visit. The only consideration you must have with rainfall is when it’s raining. Gorges in the park can suffer from flash flooding when it rains and become extremely dangerous. So if you’re in a gorge and it starts to rain, get out quickly.
The temperature in Karijini National Park varies dramatically between day and night, as well as between winter and summer. During the summer, the daytime temperature can easily exceed 40°C, while during winter, it’s a far more comfortable 20-25°C. The extreme heat in summer can be energy-sapping and potentially very dangerous if you’re not prepared. Make sure you dress appropriately and bring plenty of water.
There’s also a big difference between the nighttime temperatures during summer and winter. While the summer evenings are a balmy 20-25°C, the winter can see temperatures fall to 10°C. While you’re unlikely to get hyperthermia, you will want to bring some extra warm clothing.
The table below shows the wide range of temperatures you’ll encounter in the park.
Month | Maximum Temp | Minimum Temp | Days of Rain |
January | 41°C | 26°C | 5 |
February | 39°C | 26°C | 6 |
March | 38°C | 24°C | 3 |
April | 34°C | 21°C | 1 |
May | 28°C | 15°C | 1 |
June | 25°C | 12°C | 1 |
July | 24°C | 10°C | 0 |
August | 27°C | 12°C | 0 |
September | 31°C | 14°C | 0 |
October | 35°C | 18°C | 1 |
November | 38°C | 22°C | 2 |
December | 40°C | 25°C | 3 |
The weather in Karijini varies dramatically between seasons and sometimes even during seasons. Visitor numbers also fluctuate dramatically between different times of the year. To help you plan your trip, we’ve broken down what to expect in each different season.
The spring is a season of two halves. The early part of spring is warm and dry, but the latter part is sweltering. Visitor numbers are generally low during the spring season, partly because the very limited rainfall over the winter and spring months results in low water levels in the picturesque pools. Evenings and nights can still be quite cool during the early spring season.
Summer is the hottest season and also the wettest. It’s also the busiest season for visitors numbers despite the extreme conditions. This is on account of the annual 6-week long school summer holidays that see visitors flock to the park across late December and January. While daytime conditions are challenging, the evenings are warm, comfortable, and often the best part of the day. Availability of accommodation can be an issue during December and January, so be sure to book well before your trip.
The autumn is one of the best times to visit Karijini, particularly during the late autumn when temperatures have eased. Much like the spring, the autumn is a season of two halves. The start features scorching daytime temperatures, accompanied by pleasant evenings. The later part of the autumn season sees far more comfortable daytime temperatures but milder evenings.
The best part about the autumn is the pools are full of fresh, clear water following the wetter summer months. Most of the idyllic pictures you see will be taken at this time. While the autumn is still relatively quiet in terms of visitors numbers on the whole, the April Easter holidays tends to see a surge in visitor numbers. Try to avoid this period if possible.
Alongside the late autumn and early spring, winter is the best time to visit Karijini. They are also some of the busiest as many Australians look to escape the colder winter conditions in the south of the country. Temperatures are warm and pleasant during the day, perfect for exploring the park’s many attractions. Evenings tend to be quite cool, and warm-weather clothes are a must. Water levels in the pools drop as the season progresses, so try to visit earlier rather than later if possible.
Even allowing for the cooler evening temperatures, we’re convinced that late autumn, winter, and early spring are the best times to visit Karijini National Park. Here’s why:
We hope you enjoy your visit to this unique and stunning national park.
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