ADVENTURES WATARRKA NP, NT
FACTS
The Garden of Eden is an oasis in this harsh environment.
GETTING THERE
Watarrka National Park is about 330km south-west of Alice Springs via Stuart Highway, Ernest Giles Road( 4WD essential) and Luritja Road( unsealed for 70km), or 320km via Larapinta Drive and Mereenie Loop Road( unsealed for 198km – 4WD recommended).
Mereenie Loop Road passes through Aboriginal land and a permit is required.
2WD access to the park is via the Stuart Highway, Lasseter Highway and Luritja Road, all fully sealed( 460km).
“ KINGS CANYON IS AN OASIS IN A HARSH ENVIRONMENT, PROVIDING REFUGE FROM THE HOSTILE ELEMENTS AMONG THE WATERHOLES AND SHADY GORGES”
signs about local Aboriginal culture and physical remnants of early settlement and recent cattle industry. For the more adventurous, the 22km( one-way) Giles Track offers a two-day walk connecting the Rim Walk and Kathleen Springs across the top of the range. This one is for experienced bushwalkers only and requires careful planning and preparation.
UNFORGETTABLE VANTAGE
The national park and surrounding region may also be explored via a range of guided activities and scenic helicopter flights out of Kings Canyon Resort, as well as quad bike safaris and camel rides on Kings Creek Station.
There is no accommodation within the park and camping is not permitted. However, a couple of commercial venues close to the park entrance provide a range of options to suit all budgets. These include a camping area at Kings Canyon Resort with powered sites for caravans and unpowered tent sites, bunkhouse accommodation and hotel rooms. Kings Creek Station also has a campground and accommodation in safari-style cabins with shared facilities. Australia Pacific Touring maintains‘ glamping’ facilities nearby at the Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge for their touring clients, but also accessible to self-drive travellers who book ahead.
Make no mistake, Kings Canyon is way off the beaten track in a harsh desert environment which can get infernally hot, especially in summer. This combination hardly makes for anyone’ s idea of the perfect outback destination, but it should, and does make for an unforgettable experience in the Territory’ s Red Centre, for the thousands of adventurers who visit this iconic landmark every year.
ACTIVITIES
Bushwalking in desert wilderness. Helicopter flights. Outback experience on a working cattle station. Camel rides. Quad bike safaris.
MORE INFORMATION
The park is accessible year-round but the best time to visit is during the cooler months of April to September.
Camping and accommodation are available at nearby Kings Canyon Resort, Kings Creek Station and Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge.
Fuel and supplies are available at Alice Springs, Hermannsburg, Kings Canyon Resort and Yulara.
Alice Springs Visitor Centre: 1800 645 199, info @ discoverca. com. au, www. discovercentralaustralia. com
Kings Canyon Resort: www. kingscanyonresort. com. au
Kings Creek Station: res @ kingscreekstation. com. au, www. kingscreekstation. com. au
Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge:( 08) 8955 8311, www. aptouring. com. au
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ADVENTURES