Uluru to Kings Canyon

Leaving Uluru after 4 days with a heavy heart we didn’t know what to expect next, as we had really enjoyed our experience there. We were heading off to Kings Canyon and uncharted territory for us. We arrived in the afternoon to what was surprisingly a very well organised campground and “resort” for being literally in the middle of nowhere, the pool was the first stop followed by a quick lunch at the pub which was very decent. We settled into the afternoon watching the adventure tour groups pull up and do pretty much the same, pool dip and then straight to the bar! We had a great chuckle when an Italian tourist asked us where else he might be able to dine with his girlfriend as he was looking for a “BBQ Restaurant” and wasn’t sure what other restaurants were nearby….aah 1000km due east! There is no Mamma Cooking up Pasta in the back kitchen here buddy!

We kept getting told that we had to to the “Rim Walk” which is a 6km walk around the rim of Kings Canyon, which is a must do when you visit the canyon. After waking up to the sounds of howling dingoes during breaky at 6am, we were quite happy to get organised a little quicker. We were at the base of the walk at 6.30 am, as it is a 4 hour walk and you have to start early before the heat of the day, as it is a very gruelling walk. The walk begins with a vertical climb straight up to what felt like 1 km of rock steps, and by half way you are thinking what on earth are we doing??

After that initial climb of overcoming vertigo you settle in to a great walk slowly reaching the top of the canyon, to say this walk is breathtaking and by far one of the most challenging walks we’ve done is an understatement. Words can’t describe the views from the top overlooking the canyon and beyond, the walk keeps going through various ridges and lookouts and then the half way point is The Garden of Eden. A truly “picture book” experience of a swimming hole amongst the gorges, there was no option but to jump in and cool down, in the icy waters amongst the rock faces.

The walk continues on for what feels like forever in the heat however you don’t want it to stop because the views and scenery are amazing.

At the end of the walk we were totally exhausted however we pushed on to drive to Glen Helen and the MacDonnell Ranges, which is about 270km away. The Road to Glen Helen can be rough in sections as it is dirt with corrugations, however can also be busy with tourist traffic, wild brumbies and feral camels which is so unusual for us to see such huge beasts roaming the roads… and we were worried about the kangaroos!