Central Australia is a wonderful place to strap on your hiking boots and wander while you marvel at the raw natural beauty around you, and Kings Canyon is a perfect place for it.
Kings Canyon is located inside the Watarrka National Park, and is 270 metres high! Within the Canyon you will find many different species of plants and animals.
The red rock face of the Canyon sits above a forest where you can find plenty of cycads and ferns. I thought it was really cool that there was a surprising amount of greenery and vegetation here, considering you are in the middle of large desert!
It was a definite highlight on my recent trip to the Red Centre and it is best explored on foot.
Here’s everything you need to know about planning a trip to Kings Canyon:
When to visit?
It is best and most comfortable during Australia’s winter and cooler months (so anywhere between May and September would be ideal). October-April will definitely much warmer temperatures (Remember Summer in Australia is December-February).
Getting here
One things is certain, you will need some sort of vehicular transport (either car or coach). You can not reach it by public transport and the nearest airports are either Alice Springs or Ayers Rock (Uluru), both of which are several hours drive.
Realistically you have two options: 1) Self Drive or 2) Organised Tour). I personally hired a car and drove from Alice Springs, which I recommend doing. Driving gives you more flexibility and can be lots of fun with your partner or friends. If you are travelling solo, then it will probably be more enjoyable and economical to jump on a coach with an organised tour.
Tours can be organised through the Resort at Uluru or with AAT Kings directly.
FYI: Driving Routes
If you are coming from Uluru you will take a very straightforward route via the Lasseter Highway and making a left onto Lurutja Road which leads you all the way to the resort. This is easily signposted (you can’t miss it!). This is sealed the whole way.
If coming from Alice Springs that is where it could get interesting…You can opt to take the Mereenie loop. A large part of this is unsealed and you MUST have a 4×4 (4 wheel drive). This would be stunning but VERY slow going and not much opportunity to get help if you get stuck.
Therefore, I recommend most people take the Stuart and Lasseter Highways, if coming from Alice Springs. You would take the turnoff onto Lurutja Road…same as you would coming from Uluru but this time it will be on the right. Once again, this is easily spotted with obvious signs.
TIP: Just be careful if you are driving…the road is narrow and this can be a little off putting if you want to overtake a slower vehicle in front or have another vehicle approach towards you heading in the opposite direction…can get a pretty close for comfort when driving at higher speeds.
Where to stay?
Unfortunately you are not overwhelmed for choice here. There are only two accommodation places out in this area (as it is incredibly remote) and only one of those is really close to the canyon.
Kings Canyon Resort is located 10 kilometres (12 minute drive) from the car park where the Hiking trails start. It has a range of options depending on your budget:
Campground or Lodge Rooms: This is the most economical option and is popular with young backpackers, families or larger groups of friends travelling together. If you are camping, both powered and unpowered sites are available. Lodge rooms are basic but quite comfortable, even for a family. Lodge rooms start at roughly $144 AUD per night.
Resort Rooms: These are more ‘hotel style’ with ensuite bathrooms. Rates start at $459 AUD per night.
Find out more about accommodation options HERE
Eating at King’s Canyon Resort
You have a few different options:
Carmichael’s:This is a fancy restaurant that requires you to book a table.
Desert Oaks Bistro: relaxed casual dining that does not take bookings.
Outback BBQ and Grill: you can get yourself a hearty meal and enjoy live music from 5.30pm onwards.
Thirsty Dingo Bar: Here you will find simple stuff like Pizzas and Wedges.
Under A Desert Moon: A romantic luxury package for two.
Or you can do what we did…grab a sandwich from the convenience store and use the communal kitchen near the lodge to microwave our supermarket soup we brought on the journey with us #backpackerbudget
Read more about Dining options at the resort HERE.
Alternatively you can stay at Kings Creek Station which is roughly 38 kilometres (35 minute drive) from the Canyon Hiking Trails. This does not offer as much. and choices in the way of decent budget food are not as good. A tent (already set up) will cost you around $220 AUD per night for 2 adults. If you want a double room this will set you back $1400 a night for 2 adults.
Equipment
Hiking boots area must for me here. You are walking over a lot of rocks and doing a decent amount of climbing. I recommend having these on for both grip and comfort. You could manage in sneakers but I don’t think it would be great for your feet.
Also, I would suggest perhaps getting a water lung/bladder otherwise known as a Camelbak to have inside your backpack. By having the drinking tube attached you don’t have to remove your bag from your back to get a drink. Definite points for convenience 🙂
If you are planning on wearing a hat (which is great for sun protection) then make sure it is attached firmly to your head. It can get really windy here and mine almost blew off several times. A cap would be an excellent idea, or a hat with an adjustable drawstring.
Trails
There are a few different routes and it really depends on your time frame.
NOTE: During the warmer months you need to start the walk early in the day. On days that are forecast to be 36 degrees celsius or above… No one will be allowed to begin AFTER 9 am!
Giles Track: This is 22 km and carried out overnight (self guided). Only for experienced hikers.
Creek Walk: This route is 2 km and a 1 hour return. It is the shortest option and gives you a chance to head into and along the bottom of the canyon.
South Wall Return: This route only goes along one side of the canyon and does not far enough to get to the best lookout, but if you were short on time it would be a decent alternative. The South wall track is 4.8 kilometres and is estimated to be a 2 hour return walk.
Rim Walk: I would highly recommend this option. It gives great views of the Canyon as you walk around the top (both down below and into the distance) and most of the walking is fairly flat and comfortable…except for the initial climb, which was pretty steep.
This walk is 6 km and you should allow 3-4 hours to make the loop journey back to the carpark. This allows for a comfortable pace, plenty of photo and water breaks if necessary; as well as taking a couple of cool detours which I will get in to below.
Along the first side of the Rim Walk you will come across an optional detour to Cotterills Lookout. TAKE IT! You get awesome views right down the middle of the Canyon.
The Garden of Eden is a little gorge/water hole that is tucked away. Even though the waterfall was not flowing when I was there, it was still a great photo stop and gave us a chance to relax with a bit of morning tea. Having the sunlight coming in from the top was lovely and the photos don’t do justice.
Remember that this walk MUST be done in a clockwise direction, which means you veer off to the left when coming from the carpark. The signs are all very easy to follow.
Other useful tips:
Stock up on whatever supermarket/pantry food items you can before leaving your previous destination.
Food is SUPER EXPENSIVE and limited out here. We loaded the car with whatever non-perishable grocery items we could before leaving Alice Springs.
Phone signal and wifi.
Of course, I think it goes without saying that this is very limited at the best of times out here. I couldn’t even get signal or data on my Australian sim card. Even at Kings Canyon Resort the Wifi is not that strong or fast. I only found that I received messages at the convenience store/service station. If I didn’t reply while I was there, then they wouldn’t send… and I had very little hope of getting instagram to load. So, use the opportunity to disconnect for a couple of days 🙂
Make use of the sunset viewing platform at Kings Canyon Resort.
There is something magical about a desert sunset, especially watching the colours change over the canyon as the sun goes down.
Aerial view
If your budget allows, you can also experience the Canyon from the air. Helicopter tours can be arranged either directly at Kings Canyon Resort or can also be done from Kings Creek Station.
Let me know if you have any other questions about visiting the Canyon. I know you will find it as special and memorable as I did.
Happy Hiking,
Ally XO
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