Island Allure — Mackerel Islands and Karijini National Park

While the pull of international travel may be hard to resist, there is a diverse range of places to explore just around the corner in Western Australia’s own backyard.

Brimming with adventure and exquisite beauty, the one-of-a-kind holidays at Karijini National Park and the Mackerel Islands offer colourful, rejuvenating experiences where outback rust-red landscapes meet turquoise waters.

With refurbishments, expanded accommodation and new tour offerings coming to these locations, Karijini Eco Retreat and Mackerel Islands Sales and Marketing Coordinator Tahlya Brown said now was the time to love your local.

Karijini Eco Retreat

Joffre Gorge, Karijini National Park.

Tick Karijini National Park off your bucket list with a stay at the 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned Karijini Eco Retreat.

“From the pulsing red heart of the outback, see mountain ranges, gorges and waterfalls while sleeping in your very own glamping tent on the edge of a breathtaking gorge under star-filled skies,” Ms Brown said.

“Karijini Eco Retreat has successfully blended luxury and camping with the launch of the new deluxe plus eco tents, which boast incredible national park views through a floor-to-ceiling glass frontage, natural furnishings and a private ensuite.

“Along with the new eco tents, an outback bar and a restaurant, there’s a range of other glamping accommodations and unpowered campsites to suit all budgets.”

A new stretch of sealed road to Karijini Eco Retreat continues all the way to Weano, Hancock, Joffre and Knox gorges – no more bouncing over corrugations to reach some of the most popular attractions in the park.

“Karijini Eco Retreat has also created four unforgettable guided tours exploring the amazing Joffre Gorge or Jijingunha in the Banjima language,” Ms Brown said. “Choose from Colours of Karijini: Joffre Gorge (Jijngunha) Sunrise or Sunset Walk, Joffre Explorer (Jijngunha) or Night Sky Tour.”

Mackerel Islands

Thevenard Island accommodation.

The Mackerel Islands offer world-class marine encounters, adventure and seclusion, accessible by either a ferry operating twice a week from nearby Onslow or a 35-minute flight from Exmouth.

“Made up by a collection of 10 islands and atolls, the island’s surrounding reef systems are densely packed with an abundance of rare marine life,” Ms Brown said. “With only 12 beachfront cabins available to visitors at a time on Thevenard Island, the Mackerel Islands have protected their wildlife haven, which is home to dugongs, manta rays and an array of tropical fish.”

With about 40,000 humpback whales making their annual migration to the region for the calving season, the ferry service often doubles as a whale watching tour.

Ms Brown said another of the island’s most famous wildlife spotting was turtles hauling themselves up on the beach to lay eggs.

“They are common to snorkel with, or see them from your kayak, stand-up paddleboard or boat,” she said.

Dugongs are also found in the waters around the island, and can be observed feeding and calving in waters less than 5m deep.

“There is no need to spend hours on a boat to see wonders when you can dive into this rare and breathtaking underwater world almost immediately from your doorstep,” Ms Brown said.

As it appeared in the inaugural 2024 Spring/Summer edition of North West Travel Guide.