itinerary

CHECK IN to your wilderness immersion

MEET your crew for the next transformative four days

HIKE to a lookout and waterfall you’re about to swim in

DIVE IN to the natural pool

MEDITATE on a rock behind the waterfall

DINNER under the starry outback sky

RISE before sunrise to catch the morning glow

LEARN the ins and outs of capturing content and photography

ADVENTURE through Hanrock Gorge

SWIM in the turquoise waters of Kermit Pool

PICNIC lunch at Dales Gorge

AFTERNOON DIP in Circular Pool

CELESTIAL meditation

RISE with the sun to see striking colours of sunrise

DRIVE to Hammersley Gorge

WILD SWIM in the spa pool

PICNIC lunch in the wild

EXPLORE this 2.5 billion year old landscape

CAMPFIRE dinner under the stars

MORNING creativity session on sharing your story

BREAKFAST surrounded by the deep-red gorges

REVEL in the beauty of the natural amphitheatre at Knox Gorge

FAREWELL to Karijini

location

Karijini Eco Retreat will be home for our four-day trip. Located in the heart of Karijini National Park, you’ll be sleeping in the thick of the aussie bushland and right at the edge of Joffre Gorge. You’ll be staying in eco tents outfitted with beds, solar power, and deck space. plus a private ensuite with solar powered hot water. The retreat is proudly 100% First Nations owned, serving the Banjima, Yinhawangka and Nyiyaparli people of the Pilbara region in Western Australia.

meet your host

helen janneson bense is a photographer, content creator, mother, biomedical naturopath and inspiring creative. with a 750k following on instagram, and a personal travel, style and wellness blog, helen continues to inspire her world-wide audience with her creativity and imagination. by capturing stunning landscapes and transformative experiences through her lens, she continues to invigorate her audience through sharing her photographs and accompanying personal stories. after experiencing post-natal depression, helen pulled together the strength to cultivate self-love by rediscovering her passions through creative endeavours, self-reflection and meditation. reflecting her own healing journey, helen’s powerful message to always boldly pursue creative possibilities, appreciate the earth’s beauty and fight for self-love, never fails to move her audience.   

you can follow helen on her instagram @helen_jannesonbense or learn more about her on: https://gypsylovinlight.com/

an invitation from helen

It’s Helen here and I welcome you all to join me on an unforgettable, transformative journey to one of the most wild and beautiful places on this earth. 

I’ve spent these past 18 months both emotionally and mentally challenged by the world events, as many of us have, while simultaneously counting every single blessing in my life. It’s brought me closer to what is most important in my life and seeking new travel experiences that reflect my values. 

I’ve been immensely grateful that we’ve been able to explore our own backyard here in WA and discover more of the unknown, off the beaten path places. Karijini is one of those special places. It has a rare kind of magic that you will feel the moment you arrive. It’s ancient, full of stories, beauty, wonder, and awe. The views and experiences will take your breath away. It’s a place I am so excited to share and experience alongside you. 

I envision this trip to be more than just another travel experience of seeing the sights, snapping a pic, and ticking off the bucket list…. I see it as an experience that will embody everything I love most about travel…. meeting new friends, connecting with nature, learning about culture, challenging ourselves as we embrace uncertainty, developing resilience in these ever changing times, tapping into that childlike wonder and joy that comes with placing yourself in front of immense and exquisite natural beauty…. and finally seeing your own beauty reflected back to you.

I can’t wait to meet you all and have one awesome adventure!

With love, Helen x

inclusions

• three night’s accommodation

• all meals: breakfast lunch and dinner

• donation to first nations not-for-profit children’s ground

• all activities including 4wd excursions into secret gorges

• wild swimming in the oases

• workshops on content and creativity and photography with helen

• celestial meditation

• self guided morning pages

exclusions

• transport – flights, car hire costs

• alcohol - but you can byo

faq’s

How do I get there?

Karijini National Park can be reached via plane or car (although with either of these options, there is still a level of driving involved). If you choose to fly, touch down in Paraburdoo or Newman Airport and then take a car or bus to the National Park. Karijini is very much a self-drive location, and we strongly recommend hiring a car to get around, whether you choose to fly or not.

If you’re up for a road trip (and this is a great one), pick up a hire car from Perth and make the pilgrimage to Karijini. You can either take the coastal route past stunning beaches and bays or drive inland via Cue and Meekatharra. From there, you can enter Karijini National Park from Tom Price, Roebourne, Port Headland, or Newman.

Make sure to plan your fuel usage ahead of time, as Karijini is vast, and kilometers can add up quickly. There is nowhere within the park to refuel, with the closest petrol station an 80km drive away in Tom Price.

What is the accommodation like?

Karijini national park has been hand-selected by us for its epic location and proximity to the national park. Our accommodation is an eco-retreat, with luxury, ‘glamping’ style tents and cabins. You will be sharing with a new best friend or a buddy you bring along! We won’t be spending much time at the campsites, aside from before bed, as we wake every morning before sunrise. Trust us, even the biggest sleeper won’t want to miss the sunrises here!

Do I need camera equipment?

If you have it, great! Photography lovers should bring their camera and lenses and tripods! However, if you are a newbie, your iPhone will do the job, and you’ll learn a lot. 

What do I bring?

We’ll be doing lots of walking and hiking, so sturdy, comfortable walking shoes are a must. This may go without saying, but we’ll be spending a few days in a remote location with little to no access to shops. Bring everything you’ll need for a four-day trip in the outback, assuming you won’t be able to purchase anything once there. Essentials are sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, a water bottle that we can refill for you, and thin, layered clothing for the daytime to keep protected and sun-safe.

will i have downtime?

while we do have lots of things planned, there will be time a small slither of time to chill - namely night two and each daily sunrise (the morning rituals are optional of course!).

is it covid safe?

we will be watching the border and health situation very closely. rest assured that if covid impacts the majority of travellers we will postpone to a later date. if that isn’t feasible, we will offer partial refunds (the deposit is non-refundable).

how do i pay to confirm my place?

you have two options: pay in full or pay the $550 deposit. if you pay the deposit, we will require payment in full 25 days prior to the trip start date.

any further questions?

hit us up anytime at operations@aweventurer.com