Kings Canyon (Watarrka)★★
Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park is one of Australia's most dramatic landscapes — 300-meter-deep gorges with vertical sandstone walls that formed 440 million years ago at the bottom of an ancient sea. At the bottom of the gorge lies the "Garden of Eden" — a permanent waterhole surrounded by ancient cycads that have endured since the dinosaur era.
Hikes
- Kings Canyon Rim Walk (6 km, 3–4 hours): The king of hikes — it leads over the rim of the canyon with breathtaking views, through a landscape of weathered sandstone domes (the "Lost City," reminiscent of a mini-Cappadocia), and down to the Garden of Eden waterhole. The initial climb (500 steep steps) is strenuous, but the rest is moderate. One of the best day hikes in Australia.
- Kings Creek Walk (2.6 km, 1 hour): Easy walk along the bottom of the gorge. Suitable for everyone, even doable in the heat. Less spectacular than the Rim Walk, but the rock walls from below are still impressive.
Kings Canyon is halfway between Alice Springs (320 km) and Uluru (300 km) — ideal as a stopover on an Outback road trip. The road from Alice Springs is paved and drivable with a regular rental car.
Accommodation: Kings Canyon Resort (only accommodation, campground from 40 AUD, rooms from 200 AUD) or the exclusive Kings Canyon Resort Under a Desert Moon glamping experience (dinner under the stars, from 295 AUD p.p.).
💡 Tipp
Start the Rim Walk as early as possible — the park opens before sunrise. If it exceeds 36 °C, the Rim Walk is closed from 9:00 a.m. (only the Creek Walk is possible). In winter, start at 6:30 a.m. — the morning light on the sandstone walls is indescribable. Bring at least 3 liters of water!