In the heart of Australia’s Red Centre, a majestic canyon was formed over millions of years. Steep sandstone walls more than 100 metres high glow different shades of red. Down below a forest of palms stands out in lush colours of green. Hidden deep into the gorge is the Garden of Eden, a natural waterhole surrounded by rare plants. Explore the Outback's greatest canyon and one of the most ruggedly beautiful places to visit in Australia.
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The Watarrka National park is located in the Northern Territory, halfway between Alice Springs (450 kilometres northeast) and Uluru/Kata Tjuta National Park (324 kilometres southwest). This scenic landscape of rugged ranges, rockholes and gorges covers an area of more than 1000 square kilometres. It acts as a refuge for over 750 different species of plants, with at least 60 of these being rare and unique to the region.
The local Aboriginal people, the Luritja people, named the area "Watarrka," after an acacia tree found within the park. This is where Watarrka National Park gets its name. Its star attraction is the magnificent Kings Canyon, the deepest gorge in Australia's Red Centre.
The Watarrka National Park has been home to the Lurtija people for more than 20,000 years and their culture remains strong. It is considered a sacred site where, in times of severe drought, the Luritja people came to take refuge. They used a variety of waterholes, native plants and animals as sources of food and water. The dwellings and places of assembly were decorated with rock paintings and engravings, some of which can still be seen today.
440 million years in the making, Kings Canyon rises 270 metres above sea level and is the deepest gorge in central Australia. It stretches for nearly two kilometres in the western end of the George Hill Range. Featuring ancient sandstone walls that have been shaped by the elements, rising 100 metres to a plateau of rocky domes. The canyon is a giant amphitheatre formed of the same terracotta-coloured rock as Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas).
Kings Canyon originated from a crack. Wind, rain and flood waters widened and deepened a main crack in the brittle Mereenie Sandstone. Eventually reaching down to the Carmichael Sandstone below, which now forms the lower slopes of the canyon. As the Carmichael Sandstone eroded, it undercut the Mereenie Sandstone above, resulting in large blocks of it tumbling down. This created a unique landscape that is truly striking and not to be missed during a visit to the Red Centre.
The best way to explore Watarrka National Park is on foot, and hiking through the dramatic scenery is one of the most popular things to do. Walk along the red stone paths, get a bird’s eye view of the Outback, and marvel at incredible views of the canyon walls.
During the hottest months (from September to May), when the weather can be too hot for hiking, sightseeing flights and camel safaris are also a great way to soak up the views.
One of the best hikes in Australia, the iconic Kings Canyon Rim Walk makes you feel like you're on top of the world. Lace up your boots, put on your hat and pack at least three litres of water. Hiking here is hot at the best of times, so leave prepared. Set your alarm for an early departure, it will be worth it!
Hiking King's Canyon at sunrise is absolutely stunning. The sun’s light is just starting to peek over the canyon walls while some stars are still left in the last of the night’s sky. Best of all, the temperatures are cooler and crowds are less.
The six kilometre loop walk starts with a steep 500 step climb to the top of the canyon, adaptly named Heart attack Hill. This is the most strenuous part of the hike. Once on top, the walk continues along the rim offering scenic views. The entire walk takes around three to four hours to complete and requires an average to high fitness level.
The flat summit of the range is reached by climbing a steep slope near the entrance of the Canyon. From here the red rocks to the sides have been shaped by erosion into beehive-like domes. These give the plateau the appearance of a city in ruins, covering a large area named the Lost City.
About halfway along the walk is the Garden of Eden, a lush waterhole and. The sandstone of Kings Canyon soaks up rain like a sponge from which moisture seeps into the Garden of Eden, allowing lush vegetation to flourish here. A place of serenity and contemplation, it is of great significance to the Indigenous people. While it was once permitted to swim in the crystal clear waters, visitors are now asked not to.
From here, hikers continue to the canyon's south wall and down to the bottom of the gorge, past aboriginal rock paintings. The trail then descends back to the parking lot.
This 2.6 kilometre return trip weaves along Kings Creek to a scenic lookout before returning along the same route. On the way, you can learn about the Aboriginal sites through interpretive signs. Suitable for hikers of all ages, the Kings Creek Walk takes about an hour and provides wheelchair access for the first 700 metres.
Kathleen Springs is located 21 kilometres by road from Kings Canyon. The 2.6 kilometre Kathleen Springs walk is recommended for families with young children and visitors with limited mobility. From the car park, enjoy a pleasant walk along a paved path that leads to a peaceful spring-fed waterhole at the head of Kathleen Gorge. The waterhole holds special significance for the local Aboriginal people and is important for wildlife, so swimming is not permitted. Along the way, you can learn about aboriginal culture and the cattle industry through interpretive signs.
After a day of hiking in Watarrka National Park, what better way to treat yourself than indulging in a delicious meal. And this is no ordinary meal! A magical experience awaits you as you dine under a sky full of stars in a beautiful, intimate setting.
Kings Canyon Resort offers an exclusive dining experience you’ll talk about for years to come. Tantalise your taste buds with a five course dinner made from seasonal, local produce and paired with award-winning Australian wines.
The Red Centre Way drive connects Alice Springs, Uluru/Kata Tjuta National Park and Kings Canyon via the Mereenie Loop. There are three routes to get there:
The park is accessible via 2WD vehicle via Luritja Road from the Lasseters Highway. This connects to Yulara in the West and the Stuart Highway in the East, from where you can continue North to Alice Springs or South to Coober Pedy.
An alternative route is via Larapinta Drive, through the West MacDonnell Ranges, which connects to the new gravel Mereenie Loop Road (4WD recommended). You need a Mereenie Loop Pass permit to travel on Larapinta Drive between Hermannsburg and Watarrka National Park or between Glen Helen and Watarrka National Park. You can buy a permit from fuel stations at Kings Canyon Resort, Hermannsburg and the Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre.
A 4WD is also recommended to take the Stuart Highway, then Ernest Giles Road leading onto Luritja Road.
Make your trip extra special by experiencing a unique stay from our collection of hand-selected accommodations located in Watarrka National Park and beyond. A journey where your accommodation is an experience in itself.
Whether you prefer to indulge at a luxurious resort or have an outback adventure on a guided safari. We have found the perfect place for you to have the absolute best experience of the Red Centre. Your travel specialist will match you up with accommodation that suits your wants and needs.
While Watarrka National Park is open all year-round, similar to other places in the Red Centre, the best time to visit Kings Canyon is during the cooler months (between April and September). The Northern Territory boasts fantastic weather during this period, with pleasant daytime temperatures between 20°C and 30°C and plenty of sunshine. The cool weather means it is safer and much more pleasant to walk, and there is very little rain.
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