Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Home of the legendary King’s Canyon, Watarrka National Park is easy to visit from Ayers Rock.
Rugged sandstone ranges, deep gorges and rockholes characterise the landscape of Watarrka National Park. The towering cliffs shelter pockets of lush vegetation and desert wildlife from the harsh nature of the Australian outback. The red sand that named Australia’s ‘red centre’ spreads over everything, making the vegetation that shows through even more visually stunning.
When visiting Watarrka National Park there are a few things to consider. Whilst the park is open year-round, it’s best to visit between April and September when the weather’s cooler. There’s no accommodation in the park itself though there are various lodges and resorts nearby. The park can be accessed by 2WD vehicle from Alice Springs, or by several multi-day tours of Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park and the surrounding area.
Once you’ve arrived at Watarrka National Park you absolutely must hike along one of the bushwalks through the park. The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is one of the most popular. A 6km loop that takes around 3-4 hours to complete, the rim walk showcases some of the most beautiful pockets of vegetation in the park, including the aptly named Garden of Eden.
An easier walk within the canyon, the Kings Creek Walk takes only an hour and is well suited to families. The Kathleen Springs Walk is accessible by wheelchair. The 2.4km trail is peppered with information about the Aboriginal culture of the area and ends at a spring-fed waterhole. For the more adventurous, the 22km Giles Track is an overnight walk that requires careful planning and preparation.
Whilst all hikes within Watarrka National Park are able to be undertaken without a guide, a guided walk can ensure visitors learn about the spiritual significance of the area to the local Anangu people. Tours such as this two day tour to Alice Springs and Kings Canyon include many guided walks.
Visiting Watarrka National Park from Ayers Rock Things To Do
