7Karijini National Park, Australia

A collection of emerald pools, cascading waterfalls and craggy red gorges, Karijini National Park is the Australian outback at its most wild and beautiful. But beware, this remote part of Western Australia is prone to extreme weather conditions including dangerously high temperatures and flash flooding.

Thankfully, Karijini’s enticing waters are crocodile-free as it’s too far inland for the predators – but you may find yourself coming close to a snake or two. A hiker was bitten by a highly venomous king brown snake in May 2021. The gorge walk from Hancock to Weano Gorge – known as Miracle Mile – was once a test of endurance for Perth schoolboys and more recently a favourite backpacker challenge.

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