After one last, refreshing swim in the inviting, warm waters at Mesa Campground’s beach, we reluctantly bid farewell to Cape Range National Park. We’ve unanimously decided that the enchanting Ningaloo Coast has become our favourite destination on the trip thus far. After a quick pit stop in Exmouth for groceries and to collect Oliver’s prize for the Easter colouring competition, we set our sights on our next destination—Bullara Station Stay. Bullara, a lively, working cattle station, offers visitors a genuine taste of the rugged Australian outback. Known for its rustic charm, we were lucky enough to arrive just in time for their famed burger night!

After setting up camp and enjoying a hearty lunch, we spent the sweltering afternoon (37°C) exploring the station’s vast expanses. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we gathered at the bustling café area, where we delighted in watching the staff grill over 500 burgers on glowing hot coals, all while enjoying an evening of live music. Despite the lively Anzac Day crowds, the bustling atmosphere only heightened our excitement, and we cherished reconnecting with other travellers we’d met along our journey. The burgers were scrumptious, and the kids quickly persuaded us to indulge in coconut ice cream for dessert. We then joined in on a lively conga line, snaking through the crowd of nearly 240 guests—a potential new record for Bullara Station! Oliver and I spent the next few hours dancing on the dusty dancefloor alongside fellow travellers from across Australia and around the world.

The following morning, before embarking on our journey, we shared wonderfully fresh homemade scones, topped with jam and cream, to fuel us for the six-hour drive ahead. Our next stop was Tom Price, the gateway to Karijini National Park.

Driving through Karijini National Park towards our campsite was a spectacle of unparalleled beauty—scenery unlike anything we had ever experienced before. We were ecstatic to spend five nights in this majestic national park after hearing raving reviews from other travelers. Karijini is Western Australia’s second-largest national park, where billions of years of erosion have sculpted breathtaking landscapes from ancient red rock.

After settling into Karijini Eco Resort, we were eager to embark on our first gorge walk. With afternoon temperatures in the mid-30s, we were ready to cool off in the gorges’ crystalline waters. Our leisurely choice was Kalamina Gorge, which entailed a 3km hike that ended in a refreshing swimming hole. The water was icy but invigorating, and the scenery was nothing short of mesmerizing in its serene beauty. Returning to the campsite, we were thrilled to discover that our friends, the Morris family, had set up camp a few sites away. We first crossed paths with the Morris family before exploring the Margaret River region and again in Sandy Cape. The kids were overjoyed to reunite with their friends, especially Oliver, who spent countless hours biking with his pals over the next several days.

Our days were effortlessly filled with numerous gorge walks and swims throughout this awe-inspiring national park. Over the course of our stay, we adventured through nearly 17kms of trails, each offering unique challenges with rock scrambles, ladders, handrails, and chains to access the hidden pools beyond. The kids impressed us with their stamina, adeptly carrying their own supplies, including pool noodles, down the gorges. Other families affectionately dubbed us the ‘noodle family’ as we traversed through the park.

Though the intense heat was initially daunting, the gorges gradually offered shelter as we descended deeper. At the end of each hike, a refreshing swim awaited us in the chilly yet gratifying pools. Among our favourites were Hamersley Gorge with its idyllic Spa Pool, Kermit’s Pool with its challenging scrambles, and the majestic Dales Gorge with Fortesque Falls and Fern Pool. We were often fortunate enough to enjoy these swimming spots in solitude. In addition, we completed walks through Joffre, Knox, Hancock, and Weano gorges.

One memorable night, the Morris family invited us over for an evening of board games, providing a delightful change as we indulged in adult conversations and exchanged travel tales over a few drinks. Each night concluded with stargazing under the most stunning skies we’ve encountered on this trip. Adding to the magic was the distant howling of dingoes which was pretty special. We absolutely fell in love with Karijini National Park; it exceeded all our expectations, and we can’t wait for the chance to return.