Northern Territory

Watarrka (Kings Canyon) National Park

The Luritja Aboriginal people are thought to have connections with this vicinity for about 22,000 years. The national park was created in 1983 and the land handed back to the Luritja - Watarrka is their name for an acacia species.

Aerial view of Kings Canyon © Tourism NT Kings Canyon evolved over millions of years. As sandstone layers in the George Gill Range cracked, large rocks were left on the surface as ravines were formed below with vertical sandstone cliffs. The weathered rocks remaining above are now called the Lost City.

Kings Canyon Resort, 7 km from the canyon but within the national park, was designed to compliment the natural beauty of the surrounding wilderness. The accommodation ranges from international standard motel rooms to a camping ground. The Luritja operate sightseeing excursions which give visitors an insight into their culture whilst many Alice-based operators offer excellent tours which include time in the national park. For those staying overnight at Kings Canyon some good walks are available starting with a 1 hour meander. See the NT Government page for more details about Watarrka National Park www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/find/watarrka

Map link: For an Adobe pdf map of the Red Centre produced by the Central Australia Tourism Association, click www.centralaustraliantourism.com(map) - then hit the 'Back' button to return to this page.

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Aerial view south from Noosa Heads, Sunshine Coast, QLD © Noosa Tourism

Contrast your Outback experience with time at the coast or on an island

Easy access point, Kings Canyon, Watarrka National Park © Tourism NT

Garden of Eden Walk, Kings Canyon, Watarrka NP © Tourism NT

DID YOU KNOW ... The notoriously strict Capt William Bligh, most famous because of the Mutiny on the Bounty in 1789, later became state Governor of NSW in 1805. His abrasiveness helped lead to the ‘Rum Rebellion’ in 1808 when soldiers who had mutinied, imprisoned him for 2 years.