Kings Canyon Watarrka National Park

Deep in the red heart of the Northern Territory, Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park is a breathtaking sandstone amphitheatre that rivals Uluru for sheer drama. Carved over millions of years, its sheer cliffs rise 100 metres above palm-filled gorges, offering one of Australia’s most spectacular desert walks. This is a place where ancient geology meets lush microclimates – a must-stop on any Red Centre road trip.

Highlights & What to See

• Rim Walk – The iconic 6 km loop takes you up 500 steps to the canyon’s edge, where you’ll peer into the amphitheatre, pass the weathered domes of the Lost City, and cool off in the Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole fringed with cycads and ferns.
• Kings Creek Walk – An easier 2.6 km stroll along the canyon floor, perfect for hot afternoons, with the towering sandstone walls closing in above you.
• Sunset Viewing Platform – Watch the canyon walls glow ochre and crimson as the sun sinks, with a 360-degree panorama over the surrounding desert.
• Giles Track – A remote 22 km multi-day hike connecting Kings Canyon to Kathleen Springs, for experienced walkers seeking solitude.
• Kings Canyon Resort – The gateway base, offering accommodation, a pool, and the only restaurant for miles – try the kangaroo skewers.

Suggested Time to Spend

Give Kings Canyon a full day – arrive early (before 8 am) to tackle the Rim Walk before the heat sets in, then relax by the resort pool or take the gentle Kings Creek Walk in the late afternoon. If you’re really pressed, a half-day allows for the Rim Walk and a quick sunset stop. Most travellers combine it with a 2–3 day loop from Alice Springs or Yulara.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – 300 km south-west, the spiritual heart of the Red Centre, with Uluru’s sunrise and the Valley of the Winds walk.
• Alice Springs – 320 km north-east, the outback hub for the Larapinta Trail, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and the Desert Park.
• Finke Gorge National Park – 180 km south-east, home to the ancient palm-filled Palm Valley and 4WD tracks.
• West MacDonnell Ranges – A string of gorges, waterholes and hikes stretching west of Alice Springs, ideal for a day trip en route.
• Kulgera – A tiny roadhouse 130 km south, good for a fuel stop and a slice of outback pie.

Please check official sources for current details.