"Over the years I have seen many photos of Karijini, but sometimes images on the internet can be over stylised or not show the 1000 tourists just outside of the shot. I was however blown away when I arrived. The national park was gigantic and the hiking and gorges, absolutely amazing. It was also quite dangerous which was nice, as more and more now we are told where to stand and how to act. The landscape obviously deserves respect but it was great to be able to climb, scramble and feel connected to the earth.

The general attitude of other humans I interacted with in the national park, showing respect, carrying everything you brought in back out with you. It was very positive. Interestingly, the landscape itself is almost far enough north for crocodiles and it looks like perfect swimming holes for them but it was too far inland. That was a nice surprise, it looked like crocodiles would love it here but they are not there.

The scale and the light made a big impression on me. It is very difficult to really show the scale in photographs or relate the sense of awe that I felt. The light would change constantly during the day and the sun or shade hitting different rock walls could completely change the colour spectrum. Inspired by my experiences during this trip I created an abstract work with colours that are directly inspired from the early morning light hitting the gorge walls, combined with the rock walls, rock stacks and this strange sense of balance that is in Karijini."

Day 1

I decided it was a good idea to go on this adventure with my brother as the driving distance it so long. Having someone with you hiking in the gorges is a smart idea also because of the falling risk or snake bites etc. We left Perth at 7:30am and drove until dark (6pm) around 850-900km north of the city. It was almost two-thirds the way to Karijini.

We had heard about a small natural pool that was hiding off the main highway in the desert - With so much space why camp in the truck stops? It was little bit dangerous to find in the fading light as that's when most kangaroos and other wildlife like to jump in front of your car.

Thankfully we found the dirt track and drove 15km down to the secret spot without killing any animals. Felt like a little oasis in the desert to have water and trees to camp next to. We lit a fire and rolled our swags out and fell asleep around 8pm.

Day 2.

Arrived late afternoon after a total 16hrs of driving. Fortunately our camp was only 1km from Joffre Gorge so we could catch one hike before nightfall. Somehow we had the gorge to ourselves, which is harder than you think. The climbing was really good, and I saw the first of many new little friends along the way. On our way back to camp in the dark, we came across some big ant hills around. At night, the sky reminded me that we live in an infinitely expanding universe.

Day 3.

A full day of hiking from sunrise to sunset. First up we explored Knox gorge which was fairly close to camp. Climbing down loose shale and rock into the gorge. It was huge in scale, and interesting to navigate. Moving along Mars like landscape on the edge of the water when it was too deep. The colours and how the light and shade bounces around in the gorge is unique and memorable. At the end of the path the gorge became skinner and skinner but still towering over us. It felt like a different planet.

On the way back out I put my foot next to a kingbrown snake and quickly jumped backwards, it reared its head and was very angry. Luckily they like to retreat also and not attack generally. But it's one of the world's most deadly snakes and can kill you in under 30 minutes if you get a big dose of venom - so I was very thankful to have not stepped directly on it. It was really beautifully camouflaged in the streaks of the rock wall.

We got out of Knox gorge and headed over to Hancock gorge. This was smaller in terms of height but very interesting. Navigating through the water down slippery skinny paths to a swimming hole at the end of the walk. About 20 hikers left just as my brother and I arrived which meant we could swim in the freezing water ourselves. I loved swimming here - the sun on the rocks was warm enough to recover from the icey temperature and how could I not jump in? At the end of the day we visited the lookout to Joffre gorge near our camp which was incredible to see from above. More friendly lizards everywhere and amazing stars at night.