Kings Canyon (Northern Territory)

Kings Canyon is a sandstone gorge within Watarrka National Park in the Northern Territory of Australia, renowned for its steep red-rock walls and desert plateau. The site is a major natural attraction in central Australia.

The most visited route is the 6 kilometre Kings Canyon Rim Walk, which follows the canyon edge and offers views down into the gorge and across the surrounding ranges; the walk generally takes 3 to 4 hours. Other highlights include the sheltered waterhole known as the Garden of Eden and a shorter creek bed walk that follows the canyon floor.

The area lies on the traditional lands of local Aboriginal peoples and has been managed within Watarrka National Park to protect its cultural and ecological values. The park protects native plant communities adapted to the plateau and sheltered canyon environments.

Kings Canyon sits in central Australia within Watarrka National Park, in the territory’s inland plateau country, accessible by road from regional centres and outback stations.

• Rim Walk length: The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is 6 kilometres long and typically requires 3 to 4 hours, with steep sections and steps at the start.
• Timing and conditions: Best visited in the cooler months or early morning to avoid high daytime temperatures common in central Australia.

What to See #

• Rim Walk: A 6 kilometre rim walking trail that circles the top of the canyon and takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete on average.
• Creek Bed Walk: A shorter creek bed walk that follows the floor of the canyon and is far less exposed to heat.
• Garden of Eden: A sheltered, permanent waterhole set among ferns and cycads at the canyon base, often called the Garden of Eden.