KING’S CANYON (NT) : Rim Walk

Circuit distance : 6 km; Time : 3.5 hours

King’s Canyon is a spectacular geological feature located at the western edge of the George Gill Range, within the Watarrka National Park. The Park is easily reached, 460 km south west of Alice Springs, travelling over sealed roads. There is no camping within the Park, but there is a range of accommodation available close by. The Rim Walk described here involves a steep climb up to the canyon rim, after which there is easier walking of medium difficulty suitable for most people with a general level of fitness.

The Rim Walk is by far the most impressive walk associated with Kings Canyon. It follows around the rim of the canyon’s sandstone walls. Amazingly these walls have been formed by erosion as small cracks grew larger and deeper over eons to create the spectacular canyon we see today. From the car park we can view the George Gill Range, but this gives little indication of the spectacle to come.

We start to climb up a stretch of uneven rocky ground ...

... until suddenly, there it is before us, the sheer sandstone cliffs of the Canyon. I don’ t recall any signs warning visitors to stay away from the edge, but such signs are hardly necessary! The sheer height of these cliffs is 270 metres. (The Eiffel Tower is 324 metres high.) It looks as though the earth has been sliced with a massive knife.

Looking down into the Canyon we can see some of the sandstone domes which are common throughout the area.

It is possible to walk right down into the chasm, between the sandstone cliffs into a true oasis, where there is a natural spring waterhole surrounded by local and exotic plants and trees. We continue around the rim. The sheer cliff constantly draws the eye.

The colour of the landscape changes with the time of day and with the moods of the weather.

Looking back across the Canyon from the other side, the wall is still impressive, but loses some of its impact.

We reluctantly leave the Canyon and return to the parking area. Along the way we find some of the native flowers common to the area ...

... including the dramatic Sturt desert pea, the floral emblem of South Australia.

We see why the middle of Australia is called ‘the Red Centre’!