'''Watarrka National Park''' is in the Northern Territory, Australia, its main attraction being '''King's Canyon'''.

Understand

King's Canyon is one of the major tourist attractions in the Red Centre in Australia. The '''scenic landscape''' in and around the Canyon is the result of millions of years of erosion. Enigmatic domes formations, sharp cliffs, and good views of the surrounding desert reward the visitor talking the rim walk around the Canyon. Watarrka has been home to Luritja Aboriginals for several thousands years, and places in the canyon are still sacred sites.

The park houses wide variety of desert plants and birds. A waterhole, aptly named '''the Garden of Eden''', has given birth to a lush garden of green, a paradise for the local fauna.

Be wary of the '''desertic climate''' and the risk of dehydratation. In the summer months, temperature can very easily climb over 40C during the day. Even in other seasons always respect the warning signs and do not risk your life attempting the walk in full heat.

Get in

The closest town with an airport is Alice Springs, some 300 km Northwest.

  • '''By car''', there is only one sealed access from the Stuart Highway (linking Alice Springs and Adelaide). On the Lasseter Highway leading to Uluru, take the Luritja road (there is no way you can miss the various turns, there are no other roads and everything is perfectly signposted). It takes 4 to 5 hours from Alice Springs, and 3 to 4 hours from Uluru. If you have a 4WD, you can take the Ernst Giles Road that will save you a few hundred kilometers, or you can approach from the North via Glen Helen and the Mereenie loop road. Coming from this road requires a day permit but will allow you to stop at the Tnolara (Goose Bluff) meteor crater.
  • '''By bus''', various operators in Alice Springs offer short trips to King's Canyon (sometimes even daytrips), or combined 3-days trips with Uluru.
  • Fees/Permits

    There are no fees or permits required for the park.

    Get around

    The only ''Getting around'' there is besides the walk is the drive between the Resort and the car park at the start of the trails. It takes a good 10 minutes.

    Do

    There are precisely 4 marked trails in the park, all of them starting at the car park.

  • the star trail here is the '''Rim Walk''', a 7 km loop around the canyon. It begins with a rather steep climb, but anyone in correct condition should be able to cope without a problem in 5 hours top. The walk brings you very close to the canyon cliffs and the domes, with magnificient views of the surrounding area. At the extreme end of the loop is a short sidetrip to the lush green waterhole of the '''Garden of Eden'''. There is only one direction for the walk. Whatever the time of the year, try to start the walk early in the morning. There are emergency phones at the top of the climb and at the far end of the loop.
  • the '''King Creek walk''' is a short walk at the bottom of the canyon, accessible for anyone, with various panels explaining about local birds and aboriginal history.
  • the '''Giles Track''' is a 22km overnight track leading to Kathleen Springs.
  • finally the walk at '''Kathleen Springs''' just at the end of the park is a short flat trail, accessible to everyone.
  • You can book '''Helicopter tours''' over the Canyon, '''Camel rides''' and '''Quad tours''' at King's Canyon Resort.

    Buy

    There is a small '''general store''' at the gas station at King's Canyon Resort.

    Eat

    You will find all available dining options at King's Canyon Resort, targetted at various budgets (from almost cheap '''Outback BBQ Grill''' to more expensive '''Carmichael_fs Restaurant'''). Just like in Yulara, you can book a fancy expansive dinner under the stars in the desert, and here the experience is called '''Sounds of Firelight'''.

    In any case, you can book your dinner according to your budget at the reception in King's Canyon Resort.

    Drink

    During the day, '''Water'''. Plenty of it.

    In the evening, you can buy yourself a beer at the bar in the resort, but that is pretty much all the options there are in the area.

    Sleep

    The only accommodation inside Watarrka is found at the '''King's Canyon Resort''' [http://www.kingscanyonresort.com.au/], run by Voyages. If you have been to Uluru and Yulara, you know the drill. The place is a built-out-of-nowhere tourist resort, blending (actually quite well) in the surroundings, offering accommodation from non-powered campings sites at AUD13 per night and person, to deluxe twin rooms at AUD170. The range of accommodation is not as large as Yulara, but it should satisfy everybody.

    36 km outside of the park, there are cabin style accommodations available at '''Kings Creek Station'''.

    Note that overnight '''camping is forbidden''' inside the park.

    Stay safe

    In the summer, it can get '''infernally hot''', in that case never attempt the rim walk during midday. There is but very little shadow on the walk. At any time of the year, bring plenty of water, a hat, and plenty of sunscreen. There is a warning sign at the beginning of the walk, do not take its advice lightly.

    On the walk, '''cliffs are not fenced''', and only small signs remind you of the danger. Vertical drop can reach 300 m so be careful with children and yourself.

    Get out