Kings Canyon Resort

Perched on the edge of Watarrka National Park, Kings Canyon Resort is the perfect base for exploring one of the Red Centre's most dramatic landscapes. This sprawling resort offers a range of accommodation from camping to glamping to hotel rooms, all set against a backdrop of spinifex and red rock. The resort's central location makes it an essential stop on any outback itinerary, with easy access to the canyon's famous rim walks and the star-filled night skies that have made this region legendary.

Highlights & What to See

• Kings Canyon Rim Walk – The must-do experience: a 6km loop that climbs the 100-metre-high sandstone cliffs for jaw-dropping views of the canyon floor, the 'Garden of Eden' waterhole, and the weathered domes of the Lost City.
• Kings Creek Walk – A gentler 2.6km return stroll along the canyon floor, following a sandy creek bed beneath towering red walls – ideal for a shorter adventure or when the heat is intense.
• Sunset Viewing Platform – Just a short walk from the resort, this platform offers unobstructed views of the canyon catching the last light, with the colours shifting from ochre to deep violet.
• Helicopter Scenic Flights – For a different perspective, take a chopper ride over the canyon and the surrounding George Gill Range – the aerial view of the sculpted rock formations is unforgettable.
• Stargazing – The resort's remote location means minimal light pollution; join a guided astronomy tour or simply lie back and watch the Milky Way sweep overhead.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most travellers stay one or two nights. Arrive in the late afternoon to catch sunset, then tackle the Rim Walk early the next morning before the heat builds – start before 8am. If you have a second day, consider the longer Giles Track or a helicopter flight. A single night can feel rushed, so two nights allows a more relaxed pace and a chance to fully appreciate the canyon's changing moods.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – A 3-hour drive south; combine Kings Canyon with Uluru and the domes of Kata Tjuta for the quintessential Red Centre road trip.
• Watarrka National Park – The canyon itself is the centrepiece, but the park also contains lesser-known walks like the Kathleen Springs Walk, a gentle 2.6km trail to a permanent waterhole.
• West MacDonnell Ranges – About 3 hours east, this chain of gorges and waterholes (Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen, etc.) makes a natural extension to your outback journey.
• Alice Springs – The nearest major town, 4.5 hours east, is the hub for supplies and a good starting or ending point for a loop through the West MacDonnells and Kings Canyon.
• Finke Gorge National Park – A 4-hour drive southeast, this park features the ancient Palm Valley, home to a rare palm species found nowhere else on Earth.

Please check official sources for current details.