OVERVIEW

When envisioning the Australian outback, the first thing that universally comes to mind is the barren red desert landscape and the iconic rock formation of Uluru. Little did we know that our favorite experience when traveling to the Red Center would be hiking the thrilling Kings Canyon Rim Walk.

The stunning 5-mile trail is the highlight of Watarrka National Park, situated in Australia’s Northern Territory. And despite limited lodging, infrastructure, and lack of other attractions in the area, the Kings Canyon Rim Walk is well worth the visit here on its own.

The trail winds through rocky riverbeds, leads into an unexpected lush oasis, and follows the edge of the vertigo-inducing canyon rim, delivering breathtaking scenery throughout its route. You’ll be left wondering why more people don’t visit this remarkable and beautiful location.

When researching the Kings Canyon Rim Walk we found limited information online. So after completing the hike ourselves in 2023, we’ve compiled this guide to help you get there, accommodation options, and outline what to expect on this spectacular trail.

STATISTICS AND LAYOUT

Distance: 4.6-mile loop trail.

Elevation Gain: 872 feet.

Difficulty: Moderate. There is one major incline and a few areas that require simple boulder scrambling, but the majority of the trail is fairly flat and not overtly technical.

Duration: 4 hours. The trail can be shortened by excluding the Kings Creek Trail and two other optional extensions, but these are some of the most impressive sections of the hike.

Where: Watarrka National Park, 10 kilometers from the locality of Petermann.

Permit: No permit is necessary, but you will need a compulsory park pass, which can be purchased online through the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Commission website.

HOW TO GET THERE

Kings Canyon is found in the remote areas of Australia’s Northern Territory, with limited accommodations and infrastructure. There is no airport, so visitors typically drive to the park, either from Alice Springs to the east or Uluru to the west.

Alice Springs, with a population of around 25,000, is the largest city in the central part of the Northern Territory, and serves as the gateway to the outback for many travelers. Many of them arrive through Alice Springs Airport, the nearest commercial airport to Kings Canyon, about 330 kilometers and 4-5 hours away. If you plan on staying in Alice Springs, there are an abundance of lodging options and restaurants available.

300 kilometers and a 3-4 hour drive to the west of Kings Canyon is the legendary rock formation of Uluru. This is the most popular tourist destination in the outback, seeing nearly 300,000 annual visitors. Nearby is Ayers Rock Airport (Connellan Airport) and the sprawling complex of Ayers Rock Resort, home to several individual lodges, campgrounds, restaurants, and even a grocery store.

Vehicles can be rented from the airports in both Alice Springs and Uluru. Ensure you have a full tank of fuel before departing for Kings Canyon and on your return, as there are long stretches through the outback with no petrol stations.

Keep in mind the rental car company assigns you a fixed number of kilometers that you can drive before they begin charging you an additional fee for every kilometer over that amount. Driving from Alice Springs or Uluru to Kings Canyon will almost certainly exceed this limit. We ended up paying an additional $200 AUD on top of the already exorbitant rental car rates. 

WHERE TO STAY AND EAT

Kings Canyon is located near the locality of Petermann, a remote and sparsely populated area with limited accommodations. While Uluru has the sprawling complex of Ayers Rock Resort, you won’t find that sort of development anywhere near the Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park.

The most popular and convenient place to stay is at the Kings Canyon Resort, only 10 kilometers from the trailhead. A variety of different lodging options exist within the resort, including standard lodge rooms with private facilities, powered and unpowered sites for tents and caravans, and budget-friendly outback hotel rooms with shared bathroom facilities.

We stayed in a stylish and luxurious glamping tent and it was our favorite accommodation during our one month traveling through Australia. Oliver and Maddie had their own room while Shirlee and I stayed in a king bed in the spacious living area. We had a private bathroom as well as our own patio to watch the sunrises over the Australian outback every morning.

Across the street from Kings Canyon Resort you’ll find Kings Canyon Bar and Grill. The Australian pub serves classic outback meals such as wood-fired pizzas, gourmet burgers, and BBQ while often having live entertainment. Carmichael’s Restaurant offers a fine dining experience inspired by local produce, serving buffet-style breakfast and a la carte dinner from March through October.

Kings Creek Station is another option for lodging, and is found 36 kilometers south of Kings Canyon. They offer safari cabins, camping, and glamping options in a rustic outback setting.

OUR EXPERIENCE HIKING THE KINGS CANYON RIM WALK

We woke up in our glamping tent at Kings Canyon Resort and enjoyed a delicious complimentary breakfast buffet, featuring fruits, pancakes, sausages, beans, and a variety of other items. After packing up the car we drove 15 minutes down the road to a parking lot at the trailhead in Watarrka National Park.

The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is a loop trail. It can be done in either direction but we decided to hike the trail clockwise. This allowed us to hike the easy and flat Kings Creek Trail first, then ascend the steep section of Heart Attack Hill, and finish with the gradual descent back to the parking lot. 

Kings Creek Trail

The 2-kilometer out-and-back Kings Creek Trail is an optional extension to the more challenging yet more impressive Kings Canyon Rim Walk. However, we thoroughly enjoyed this trail, finding it highly rewarding for the minimal effort required.

The trail followed Kings Creek as it carved its way through the canyon. The canyon floor was adorned with surprisingly lush vegetation, vibrant flowers, and numerous birds. There was a short section that required a bit of rock scrambling, which wasn’t technical but might deter some more cautious hikers.

The trail culminated in a small viewpoint with 360-degree views of the canyon floor. Though much of the view was obscured by dense trees, the hike itself was easy and very scenic. We then retraced our steps to begin the ascent up the canyon wall.

Heart Attack Hill and Rim Walk

After returning from the casual stroll along Kings Creek Trail, we were immediately greeted with the hardest part of the hike. The notorious “Heart Attack Hill” is a steep and strenuous ascent up the canyon wall that requires a decent level of fitness.

It’s often cited that there are 500 steps along Heart Attack Hill. Maddie claimed to have counted them all and confirmed that this number was correct. We paced ourselves along the route and although a challenge, it was only a short distance.

We experienced an immediate reward for conquering Heart Attack Hill as the stunning desert landscape unfolded in front us. The red rocks, vibrant wildflowers, lush green trees, and contrasting blue sky created a stunning collage of colors.

After winding through some more rock formations, the trail eventually led us to the canyon rim. We were treated to stunning panoramic vistas of Watarrka National Park and Kings Canyon. The vertigo-inducing edge of the canyon rim should be approached cautiously and only by those without a fear of heights.

The second optional detour for the Kings Canyon Rim Walk was the short trail to Cotterills Lookout. The route followed along the canyon’s sheer rock walls until reaching a lookout that provided some of the most dramatic views of the entire hike.

Garden of Eden

After returning to the main rim trail, we soon reached a tropical oasis named the Garden of Eden. A maze of staircases and bridges were built throughout the uneven terrain while the trail provided continuous views of the lush valley that stood in stark contrast to the arid landscape above the oasis.

After crossing the valley floor, we soon reached the third and final optional trail extension. This was the shortest and possibly most impressive detour of the three. We continued along Kings Creek for a short distance, accompanied by cycads and shaded by a canopy of palm trees, until reaching a hidden waterhole.

Swimming isn’t allowed in the waterhole in order to protect the ecosystem and avoid injury given the potentially slippery rocks and sudden change in depths of the water. However, this was a great place to eat lunch while relaxing in the cool shaded canyon.  

Descent 

The trail climbed back out of the Garden of Eden before reconnecting with the main Kings Canyon Rim Walk. It then continued along the canyon rim, offering more uninterrupted and stunning panoramic views.

We soon looped around the eastern and southern sides of the canyon, which revealed a fresh perspective of the unique desert landscape and Kings Canyon. The trail began its gradual descent back to the parking lot, navigating a mix of steps, switchbacks, and sloping rock surfaces.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

While Kings Canyon doesn’t have the notoriety of other places in the outback such as Uluru, we found it to be far more scenic and adventurous. We were truly captivated by the sheer canyon walls, lush vegetation in the Garden of Eden, and spectacular scenery over Watarrka National Park.

Although it takes several hours to reach Kings Canyon from Alice Springs and Uluru, we’d strongly recommend taking the time to visit the area. Consider spending two nights glamping at Kings Canyon Resort, which will give you a full day to explore the park thoroughly.

If you have plans to visit the Australian outback and only have time for one hike, be sure to include the breathtaking Kings Canyon Rim Walk in your itinerary.