Uluru to Kings CanyonJul 21, 2011
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Walk info
Kings Canyon view down to the car park
Kings Canyon
| Monday - We arrived at the Kings Canyon Caravan Park at around 11:30am. Dogs could stay for free but humans had to pay $21 per night. There is no internet access (unless you wanted to pay to use the Park’s WiFi) or mobile phone access, hence that is why I haven’t updated the Blog. The Caravan Park would have to be one of the best we have stayed in so far. The sites are a decent size and there are a lot of grassy areas throughout the park and I have never seen so many amenities blocks in one caravan park. Jim and Trevor had a bonding day with doing a dump run!!! Tuesday – Jim and I did the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, which is a 6 km loop. The walk around the rim of the canyon is definitely worth it as the views are spectacular overlooking the beautiful landscape. The walk begins with a steep climb to the top of the Canyon then follows the Canyon rim around before descending to the car park. Unlike climbing Uluru this walk was not as steep and there were no chains to hold onto but it was still quite challenging to do and not a walk to do if you are scared of heights . The Rim walk enabled you to experience the stunning views of the sheer canyon walls. About half way along the walk is the Garden of Eden, which is a delightful area of cool waterholes and palms and the beehive rock formations called the Lost City. We also did the Kings Creek Walk, which went for approx. 2 km. This walk meandered along Kings Creek (which is currently dry) looking up at the towing canyon above you. The walk ended at a viewing platform where you were able to view the sheer Canyon walls and all its beauty. Wednesday – Today was a rest day. It gave us all a chance to do washing and general cleaning of the caravans etc. Carol (female Whatso) made a chocolate cake with chocolate and coconut icing which we had for afternoon tea. It was very, very yummy. In the afternoon, the three boys went on a helicopter flight which enabled them to view the canyon from above along with the surrounding area. It gave them a much better understanding of just how big and sparse the area is. The cost was $135 each for 15 minutes. Each day it has been sunny and around 20 degrees such a change to just over a week ago. Diesel is $2.19 per litre. For your interest a schooner of beer costs $7.00 – for a pack of six stubbies it costs $26 unlike at Uluru where the cost of a six pack was $38. Alcohol is deliberately highly priced to deter the Indigenous from buying it. Whether you drink beer or wine/spirits it is quite expensive and before you can buy any takeaway you need to show proof of where you are staying. History lesson - Kings Canyon is situated within the Watarrka National Park, and is a huge canyon 270m high. Kings Canyon had been known to white settlers since the mid-19th century, but it was not until John Muir first visited in 1873 that the canyon began receiving attention. Watarrka National Park is an important conservation area with rock holes and gorges providing refuge for over 600 species of plants and many native animals. The sheer red rock face of Kings Canyon soars over 100 metres above dense forests of palms, ferns and cycads; sheltering them from the surrounding desert conditions. Kings Canyon has 300-metre-high sandstone walls, walking trails, palm-filled crevices and views across the desert. End of lesson |
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