A Gentle Stroll around Kings Canyon

Mind the Cow

Driving from Uluru we saw the landscape change firstly more vegetation and trees then the massive rocks that would become King's Canyon. There were very few cars going either way, I think we were overtaken twice and also overtook two cars. We did have to slow down firstly for a big cow crossing the road and then for a family of malleefowls. These birds were lucky as usually the birds on the road are eating dead stuff and fly off just before we hit them so we don't slow down. It was only as I got really close to the malleefowl that I released they had found a puddle on the road and were slowly waddling off as don't tend to fly too much.

Park Up, Where You Like

The campsite is very similar to other discovery parks, a big site with very few other tourists. Since Adelaide only Uluru has been busy, seems March to May is the quietest time of the year. Coming back to the van last night I saw a dingo, I gave it a wide berth. We've been told if you see them make yourself as small as possible and walk backwards. Apparently if you stick out your arms they can feel threatened and go for them.

The campsite also has another Bruce Munro, light installation. Although not as impressive as at Uluru it is great be able to view it lit up from our van.

The Rim Walk

Our/my main reason for coming to Kings Canyon was to do the rim walk. It is 6km and shuts for new walkers if the weather gets over 36C. The walk started tough with steep rock steps up climbing up 100 metres in very short distance. It was hard work! After this is slightly undulating and the views make that initial effort worthwhile.

They have emergency medical boxes and AEDs close to helicopter landing pads dotted around the route so perhaps more dangerous a walk than I led Karen to believe. There were other people on the walk but for the majority we only saw a few people and the isolation added to the experience. We started earlier 8.15am but by the end we were still sweaty messes. The rocks are bright red sandstone and everything is really dry, except an area in the middle called the Garden of Eden where there are lots of plants and a water pool. Although we were tired driving back to the site felt a sense of achievement having completed the walk.

An easy afternoon and getting set for an early start for the drive to Alice Springs.