Watarrka national park national park in northern territory. Kata tjuta and watarrka national parks national parks. Continue on to watarrka national park where you can make the rocky climb with your guide to the rim of kings canyon. To the aborigines, the area of watarrka national park was a sacred. Scale the towering kings canyon to catch the sunrise across watarrka national park in the northern territory. Upon reaching the summit, marvel at the breathtaking views of watarrka national park and into the canyon itself before descending into the green oasis of the garden of eden. Finke gorge is a national park in the northern territory of australia, 18 km south of darwin. The best way to explore watarrka national park kings canyon is on foot, and. May 19, 2020 this national park whose name, watarrka, comes from the aboriginal word for the umbrella bush, is best known for the spectacular sheer walls. Visit alice springs desert park and a town tour of alice springs. The most impressive of these is the garden of eden waterhole, a worth while detour located half way through the kings canyon rim walk.
More than just a day trip destination, watarrka national park has a range of walking trails, 4x4 tracks, camel. Almost everyone who visits the park visits the canyon. Exploring watarrka national park kings canyon planetware. Feel on top of the world as you walk along the towering red rock cliffs of kings canyon and take in views of the forest of palms below. You can also book kings canyon tours from the resort, including. This scenic landscape of rugged ranges, rockholes and gorges acts as a refuge for many plants and animals. Watarrka national park red centre 2020 all you need to. Watarrka national park incorporates the much visited and spectacular, kings.
Watarrka national park department of primary industry. Not surprisingly, these all showcase the same red hue that is evident throughout most of the outback. Pdf tourism and the economic valuation of parks and. Watarrka national park is a protected area in the northern territory of australia located about 1,316 kilometres 817 miles citation needed south of the territory capital of darwin and 323 kilometres 200 miles southwest of alice springs. Watarrka national park is in the northern territory, australia, its main.
Watarrka national park protects one of the northern territorys most legendary destinations, kings canyon. In may this year watarrka national park was declared a reserved land area minerals under the minerals title act, and a reserved block area petroleum under the petroleum act. One of the most spectacular canyons in central australia. Watarrka national park kings canyon central australia. It has information about the park, for getting in, about a few attractions, and about accommodations in the park. Watarrka national park about watarrka national park. The rim walk begins with a challenging 500step climb. It offers a peaceful and pristine place to enjoy a break from the hike. The walks there are amazing and indeed very scenic.
A great book that gives a good insight in the geology, mythology, history flora and fauna of the national park. Kings canyon is part of watarrka national park, in the southwestern corner of the northern territory. Location isolated as it is much further from alice springs then most people think but it is outback australia so you expect the isolation. Kings canyon australia simple english wikipedia, the free. The park is held under a tenure known as park freehold title. As gary was the manager of watarrka kings canyon national park for many years, he knows a thing or two about camping at watarrka. National parks and reserves northern territo ry watarrka national park management. You can book helicopter tours over the canyon, camel rides and quad tours at kings. Kings canyon is the famous part of watarrka national park. The yawning chasm of kings canyon in watarrka national park is one of the most spectacular sights in central australia. Kings canyon travel guide watarrka mulgas adventure tours. Enigmatic domes formations, sharp cliffs, and good views of the surrounding desert reward the visitor taking the rim walk around the canyon. The traditional owners of the land are the luritja and arrente people, who contributed to the large number of aboriginal art sites. The traditional owners of the land are the luritja and arrente people, who contributed to the large number of aboriginal art sites positioned within the watarrka national park.
Watarrka national park lies about halfway between alice springs and ulurukata tjuta national park. Its star attraction is the magnificent kings canyon, with the deepest gorge in australias red centre. The hike is recommended for those with a good level of fitness. Watarrka national park red centre all you need to know. Kings canyon is one of the major tourist attractions in the red centrein australia. This makes the park an important conservation area and a major visitor attraction in central australia.
Everything is rattling and squeaking as we sit at the tiny table, clutching our backpacks to stop them flinging about as the unsprung van hurtles along at 90km an hour. Keiter, the wallace stegner professor of law at the. At the top of the gorge is a maze of weathered rock domes, a lot like those found in purnululu. Or, you may wish to take an easier, shorter walk to explore the boulderstrewn canyon creek bed. Watarrka national park is one of the greatest national parks in the northern territory. Photo by benjamin jakabek history the landscape of watarrka national park had formed in the course of hundreds of millions of years. For any future visitors to watarrka national park, there are toilet facilities at the start and end point of both the kathleen springs walk and the kings creek walk both are return walks, they are located at kathleen springs carpark, in the king canyon sunset viewing area. Grand canyon national park virtual rim to river run down south kaibab trail 4k duration. It contains the much visited kings canyon at the western end of the george gill range and kathleen springs 22 km to the southeast of kings canyon. The ancient red canyon walls soar 100m above kings creek to a plateau of rocky domes.
Kings canyon resort luritja road watarrka national park, nt 0872, australia ph. Witness an unforgettable outback sunset and sunrise. Dean sewelloculi on tuesday about 30 traditional owners will file two applications with. This morning join a guided climb to the rim of kings canyon for marvellous views of watarrka national park. The stuart highway connects alice springs and adelaide. Kings canyon is the dramatically beautiful landmark which draws tens of thousands of visitors to the watarrka national park each year. Enigmatic domes formations, sharp cliffs, and good views of the surrounding desert reward the. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page. Take in the sights as you explore kata tjuta, kings canyon and uluru. Its a rocky red desert park of rugged geological formations and sheeredged sandstone gorges plummeting to waterholes and unexpected oases of cycad palms. Watarrka national park in australias northern territory covers 71,000 hectares and is home to kings canyon. The most popular month to go is september, which has the most number of tour departures.
It is part of watarrka national park, about 323 km 201 mi southwest of alice springs. The walls of kings canyon are over 100 metres high, with kings creek at the bottom. The history of americas national parks the boston globe. Check out the best tours and activities to experience watarrka national park. The sheer red rock face of the canyon soars above dense forests of palms, ferns and cycads, sheltering them from the harsh desert, and. There are good opportunities for bushwalking and bushcamping in the park. This scenic landscape of rugged ranges, rockholes and moist gorges acts as a refuge for many plants and animals. The cooler months april to september are the most popular times to visit. Anne kerle a land of extremes spectacular landscape skies above the land today. If you book with viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your. The parks traditional owners have no power to veto the exploration permit application because watarrka national park is not on aboriginal freehold title. Located approximately 306km from ulu r u, kings canyon is approximately a 3.
The canyon is an extraordinary chasm with sandstone walls. Media in category watarrka national park the following 82 files are in this category, out of 82 total. While theres a certain soulfulness and mystique to uluru and kata tjuta, kings canyon impresses with its scale and raw beauty, with its sheer red cliffs and by the opportunity to. May 19, 2020 this national park whose name, watarrka, comes from the aboriginal word for the umbrella bush, is best known for the spectacular sheer walls of kings canyon. Dec 14, 2014 kings canyon, watarrka national park northern territory australia. The park is 450 kilometres 280 miles from alice springs and the best way to get there is by car along the stuart or lasseter highways or luritja road, all of which are sealed.
The park covers an area of 458 km 2 177 sq mi, and includes the impressive desert oasis palm valley, home to a diverse range of plant species, many of which are rare and unique to the area. The park is characterised by high sided gorges and mountainous rocky landscapes. Watarrka national park includes the western end of the george gill range. Watarrka national park is a protected area in the northern territory of australia located about 1,316 kilometres 817 miles south of the territory capital of darwin. Weve got 6 tours going to watarrka national park, starting from just 3 days in length, and the longest tour is 10 days. Kings canyon is a vast natural red canyon that soars 100m above kings creek to a plateau of rocky domes. Watarrka national park covers 71,000 hectares 274 square miles and has been home to the luritja aboriginal people for more than 20,000 years. Nov 19, 2019 watarrka national park is open all yearround. While theres a certain soulfulness and mystique to uluru and kata tjuta, kings canyon impresses with its scale and raw beauty, with its sheer red cliffs and by the opportunity to climb on the precipitous walls for fabulous aerial views. Watarrka national parkis in the northern territory, australia. The giles track watarrka national park, nt riding in the back of a caravan, to the start of a twoday bushwalk, is a first for both of us. Watarrka national park is now protected from any mining or energy exploration activity following the gazettal of a reserve block under the geothermal energy act.
The scenic landscapein and around the canyon is the result of millions of years of erosion. Book your tickets online for watarrka national park, red centre. The scenic landscape in and around the canyon is the result of millions of years of erosion. Kings canyon is a natural wonder located approximately half way between alice.
Watarrka is a national park in the northern territory australia, 16 km south of darwin and 323 km southwest of alice springs. Visit watarrka national park on your trip to red centre or. The evolution of the national park idea island, 20. Kings canyon is a highlight for visitors to central australia. This park travel guide to watarrka national park is a usable article. This is hardly surprising as the canyon walk, and the shorter kings creek walk, offer some of the most spectacular scenery in central australia.
Numerous maps and plenty of color photos capture wildlife and scenic attractions alike. The full story crystallizes in to conserve unimpaired. Written by karen hastings nov 19, 2019 spectacular watarrka national park kings canyon, about 330 kilometers southwest of alice springs, encompasses the western edge of the george gill range. Watarrka national park is located about 320 kilometers southwest of alice springs and 1,300 kilometers south of darwin. Expedia have a great range of hotels and accomodation in watarrka national park near watarrka national park that will help make your stay that little bit more special. Walking trails lead to lookouts for views over the canyon, and there are picnic. Kings canyon traditional owners reject mining in watarrka. The aim of this page is to give you honest, local advice about kings canyon camping. Watarrka national park kings canyon includes the western end of the george gill range. See more ideas about kings canyon, national parks, australia travel. Driving from watarrka national park kings canyon to uluru takes almost four hours, and you can visit both of these iconic tourist attractions on a road trip from alice springs. Kings canyon is one of the major tourist attractions in the red centre in australia. Contingent valuation northern territory watarrka national park. Find the right tour for you through watarrka national park.
In the local luritja language, the word watarrka refers to the umbrella bush acacia ligulata that is very common in this amazing landscape. Kings canyon is a canyon in the northern territory of australia. Watarrka national park is in the northern territory, australia, its main attraction being kings canyon understand. On park freehold land traditional owners can only give a non binding opinion to the parks minister. As gary was the manager of watarrka kings canyon national park for many years, he knows a thing or two about camping at watarrka and we can tell you that options for kings canyon camping are a lot more limited than they should be. Watarrka national park contains more than 600 species of plants, and numerous native animals. Kings canyon australia simple english wikipedia, the. Nov 23, 2015 watarrka national park contains more than 600 species of plants, and numerous native animals. But before you go make sure to check out the expedia travel guide on watarrka national park first, so you can find out everything you need to know before you go away. Watarrka national park red centre 2020 all you need to know. Kings canyon, watarrka national park northern territory australia.
Its mostly known for kings canyon, but it covers 71,000 hectares of red rugged country and pockets of lush vegetation in gorges and rock holes southwest of alice springs in the outback northern territory. Tourism central australia watarrka national park kings. Watarrka national park was established in 1989 and gets its name from the aboriginal name of the land. Aboriginal australians have been living in the watarrka region for over 20,000 years, enjoying its beautiful landscapes, animals and plants. The national park can be accessed by 2wd on luritja road from yulara, and the paved lasseters highway. The watarrka national park rests 350 kilometres south west of alice on the western side of the george gill ranges. Watarrka national park encloses kings canyon, with its 300metrehigh sandstone walls, walking trails, lush forests and permanent waterholes. Kings canyon watarrka travel guide, northern territory nature in the region. It is part of watarrka national park, 450 km from alice springs. The sheer red rock face of the canyon soars above dense forests of palms, ferns and cycads, sheltering them from the harsh desert, and providing refuge for many native animals. Kata tjuta and watarrka national parks national parks field. Walking trails lead to lookouts for views over the canyon, and there are picnic tables at the sunsetviewing. Watarrka national park is in the northern territory, australia, its main attraction being kings canyon.