King's Canyon

We flew back into Ayers Rock, six days after leaving. Robyn & Jillian have moved on to Kings Canyon Resort. They have had a great time seeing the sights of Ayers Rock and the Olgas, and have lots of stories to tell us. All is well with the caravan, so a quick change into shorts and T Shirt, as it is warm and sunny, a delightful change from the rain of Sydney, and we are on the road to King's Canyon. We will come back to Ayers Rock once the girls have finished their holiday.

King's Canyon Resort.

Back together at King's Canyon.

Three hours later we are all reunited at King's Canyon Resort. The girl's are relieved to see us, as there is little to do at the resort, without a car. There is no shuttle service here, unlike Ayers Rock, so without a car you are stuck! The King's Canyon Resort Campground is quite good, with good facilities. It is extremely busy, as we again check in as night falls. We started the day with Keith & Nancy at Kensington, and here we are in the centre of Australia. We crack a bottle of wine and a beer, to drink to mum's memory, and our reunion at King's Canyon.


I know it is remote out here, but even allowing for that, the pricing can be a shock. Be warned, and take as much as you can with you. Petrol is $2.26 per litre, a six pack of beer will set you back $32.00, and groceries, well forget it. Almost every item we compared, was 3 times the price in the Woolworths Supermarket at Alice Springs. Oh, and watch the use by dates!

Let the walk begin.

Canyon Sheer wall.

The head of the canyon.

Next day it is out to the canyon to do what you do at King's Canyon, walk the canyon. We have read all the literature and decided to do the Canyon Rim Walk, described as a steep initial climb followed by a moderate 6.5 kilometre walk around the canyon rim. Half way up the 500 steps to the top of the canyon, we are convinced that Sherpa Tensing has been responsible for the walk rating. It was a walk of Everest proportions, with hardly two steps on the same level. That night, back at camp and talking to fellow campers, it is apparent we are not alone in our assessment. There are ooos, aahs and groans everywhere! Word around the camp is that the walk assessor has left town, and is headed for the Himalaya where he may be appreciated. Still, it is a walk none of us would have missed.


As you walk along, over the boulders and around through the red stone monuments that are millions of years old, you cannot help but be amazed by the majesty of the scenery. Words do not do it justice, and even the camera struggles. The Ghost gums stand out starkly against the red of the rocks, and you marvel at how they can just grow out of crevices in the rock, and above it all is that deep blue sky. It is the memory that stays longest with you out here, the red, the green and the blue. Everywhere you look, these colours are ever present. Up and down we go over the rock ledges. God sure didn't put much thought into the path out here! Some of the rock formations are absolutely mind blowing, and the changing colours in the sandstone are unbelievable.

What a view!

The Garden of Eden

We take a side walk out to the edge of the canyon, where we can peer down to the waterhole that exists at the end of what is known as the Garden of Eden. This is an amazing contrast to what we have been looking at. Here is a valley full of lush palms and cycads, and so aptly named. You can do another side walk down into the Garden Of Eden, but we chose not to add to our epic journey as we felt we got to see most of it from the numerous vantage spots along the way. There are long wooden stairways, that cannot be avoided, that take you down to the canyon floor and up the other side, which really puts a strain on the ankles and knees. Those intrepid senior hikers, waiting knee and hip replacements, are gathered at the top and bottom of those great stairways, summoning strength, and cursing the bastard who said it was a moderate walk.

The canyon floor.

We pass the 5.5km marker and are on the home stretch. We come across a couple, who look well in their 80's, taking a break and sipping on a cuppa from their thermos. We are full of admiration for attempting such a walk at their age, assuming they must have started the day before! Our admiration soon turns to contempt, as they zoom past us, with Nordic Poles flashing in the sunlight. Bloody show offs!!! As we approach the final descent, Jillian can't help herself. Now out of water, she has the smell of fresh water in her nostrils, and races on, leaving her senior partners to their own devices. We find her at the carpark with her mouth clamped over the water tap, thirstily gulping down the life giving nectar. For Robyn and her dicky knee, it has been a major achievement to complete the walk. Special mention goes to her stretcher bearers, and the amazing Carolyn, whose shoulder is sore, from having been lent on so many times.

Jill's first flight.

Suitably revived with a belly full of cold water, we head back to the campground. One last treat in store for Kings Canyon. A helicopter flight over the canyon and surrounding areas, to recount our gazillion steps. Robyn has done the flight on a previous visit, so it is just three who pile into the little helicopter. It is Jill's first helicopter flight. Sitting in back with her, I reassured her it was much better if the eyes are open!

Co-Pilot Carolyn.

On top of the Canyon from the air.

What a sight it all was from the air. Did we really walk all that way? From the air, we got to see just how green the area is, and how much water is lying around. It is a wonderful experience. It was getting quite windy, so there were a few bumps, as we flew over the edge of the canyon. All colour had drained from Jill's cheeks, and her finger prints were now a permanent fixture in the back of the seat. One last fly over the campground, and a close up of the Solar Power Station, which we didn't know existed, and we were soon back on Terra Firma. What a great end to a great day exploring King's Canyon.

We made it!!

Back at the campground, it was time to crack a cold bottle, and share stories of survival with fellow explorers who all share the passion of seeing this wide, wonderful land. On a serious note, I would strongly recommend to any potential visitors not to miss the King's Canyon Rim Walk, however make sure you research it thoroughly. It is a steep climb, and it is a very uneven walk that stretches over 6 kilometres. If you take the side trips out to the edge of the canyon, and do the walk in at the Garden of Eden, you will add another hour to the estimated time taken. We are of average fitness, and didn't walk in to the Garden of Eden, and we took just over 4 hours. Take plenty of water, and allow 4 to 5 hours to get the most out of the day, and above all else take the time to look around at all the wonderful scenery, to be sure you take away memories of more than staring at your Reeboks, or that wonderful backside out front! 

Dingo at King's Canyon Campground.

Dinner tonight was at Chateau Relaxeau. Sitting around the camp at night is quite entertaining, Dingos walk through the camp without a care in the world. Robyn loves the dingo, and is always on the lookout with camera in hand. The photo is courtesy of Robyn. There are signs everywhere not to feed them, but these clever little guys have figured out how to get a free feed. As soon as you put a garbage bag down it is snaffled, and the sight of a dingo running across the campground with a large plastic garbage bag in its mouth, is not uncommon. I will leave the dingo jokes to you! Lindy is now innocent after all those years and inquiries, and a dingo will now have to live with it for the rest of his life. (Not the one in the photo, he is also innocent!)


In the morning, we are on the road to Alice Springs, a journey of about 6 hours. I can hear Willie Nelson cranking up. "On the road again.................."