Kings Canyon is situated within the Watarrka National Park, and is a huge canyon 270m high. Kings Canyon had been known to white settlers since the mid-19th century, but it was not until John Muir first visited in 1873 that the canyon began receiving attention.
Watarrka National Park is an important conservation area with rock holes and gorges providing refuge for over 600 species of plants and many native animals. The sheer red rock face of Kings Canyon soars over 100 metres above dense forests of palms, ferns and cycads; sheltering them from the surrounding desert conditions.
The walk around the rim of the canyon is definitely worth it as the views are spectacular, although it can take 3-4 hours and should only be attempted early in the morning during the summer months. On your way around the rim of the canyon you will pass the tropical pools of the Garden of Eden, and the beehive rock formations called the Lost City. The views from the canyon are also spectacular, overlooking the beautiful landscape.
Alternatively you can take the walk through the canyon gorge looking up to the towering canyon above you. This walk is a slightly more reasonable 1 hour walk. Another way to see the canyon is from helicopter. There are numerous flights leaving from both the Kings Canyon Resort and Kings Creek Station. This shouldn't be missed, as you get to fully appreciate the scale of the canyon.
From Alice you can get to Kings Canyon by following the Stuart Highway until the turn off for the Ernest Giles Road. This then joins upto Luritja Road, which takes you right to the canyon. For a more scenic route from Alice take the Mereenie Loop through the Western MacDonnell Ranges, although you will need a permit to use this road. From Uluru you would follow the Lasseters Highway until the turn off for Laritja Road.
Once in Kings Canyon you can either stay at the Kings Canyon Resort or Kings Creek Station. Kings Canyon Resort has a wide variety of styles of accommodation as well as a selection of restaurants and cafes to eat out at. Kings Creek Station offers cabins and camping and has a small shop selling supplies. Both are reasonably close to the canyon carpark.
Kings Canyon Accommodation
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