Some of our other sites

NORTHERN TERRITORY Kings Canyon National Park Most of Watarrka’s visitors come to view the spectacular Kings Canyon with its towering vertical walls and pockets of ‘lush’ vegetation protected in sheltered gullies amidst the vast and harsh desert that surrounds the Park. There are two walking tracks at the Canyon , both offering visitors an opportunity to escape the crowds and experience first hand the beauty and solitude of the Australian bush. Signs along both tracks highlight features of interest. All walkers are advised to carefully read the information on the two walks before starting out. The Kings Canyon walk has many steep sections and is recommended for reasonably fit and healthy walkers. Tracks are constructed to a suitable standard with stairs and boardwalks to make your walk safe and comfortable and to protect sensitive vegetation and waterholes. Bush Ethics Watarrka, as with all National Parks is a protected area. Disturbance of plants, animals and natural features is an offence. It is prohibited to: break branches for fly swats; write or etch names on rocks; remove or displace the natural landscape i.e. rocks or flora. Cigarette butts, tissue paper and orange peel are three common and unsightly forms of litter. Care should be taken after heavy rains as gravel roads may become impassable. Walking Track Markers The walking tracks of the Canyon area are well sign posted with metal trail markers. The arrows are Maroon for the Kings Creek Walk and Navy Blue for the Canyon Walk. Please conduct the Canyon Walk in a clockwise direction. Emergencies If someone is in urgent need of medical action, you can contact a Ranger in one of two ways. 1. Emergency Radio Call Boxes - This is the quickest, most effective way of reaching a Ranger. There are 4 call boxes located along the Canyon Walk at: 1) the information shelter at the carpark; 2) the eastern side above the Garden of Eden staircase; 3) at Kestrel Falls half way down the return loop section; and 4) at the top of the northern climb. 2. Park Headquarters or Ranger Workshop/Residence - The Office is located 23 km by road and the Workshop/Residence area is located 1km, both east of the Canyon turn-off. Watch for the white cross on blue background signs. Basic first aid equipment is available from the emergency first aid box at the top of the Canyon. Avoid leaving an injured person alone. Stay with them to administer first aid and send another person with careful note of your location to get help. Saftey Please read this information carefully before commencing these walks. Drinking water, a hat, sunscreen and robust footwear are essential on all walks. The Canyon Walk (6 km loop Approx. 3-4 hrs duration) This walk begins with a steep climb to the top of the Canyon, then follows the Canyon rim around before descending to the carpark. Approximately half way along the walk is the ‘Garden of Eden’, a delightful area of cool waterholes and riverine vegetation communities. This walk requires a medium to high level of fitness with some strenuous sections. Extreme care should be taken in the hotter months (Sept - May) when walkers should consider other shorter walks as alternatives during the middle of the day. The Kings Creek Walk (2.6 km return Approx. 1 hour duration) This walk meanders along Kings Creek ending at a lookout point, then returns by the same route. It can be rough underfoot, so sturdy footwear is essential. Information signs on the Aboriginal cultural uses of the area are located at several points along the route. This walk has wheelchair access for approximately half the walk with the remainder being suitable for families. Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory Alice Springs Office Arid Zone Research Institute Tom Hare Building South Stuart Highway Alice Springs NT 0870 PO Box 2130 Alice Springs NT 0871 ph: (08) 89518211 fax: (08) 89518268