Kings Canyon (Northern Territory)

Coordinates: 24°15′29″S 131°33′45″E / 24.257995°S 131.562557°E / -24.257995; 131.562557

Overview of Kings Canyon from the Rim Walk.
View from the Kings Canyon Gorge at sunset.
View of the sandstone domes at Kings Canyon.

Kings Canyon is part of the Watarrka National Park in the Northern Territory, Australia. Sitting at the western end of the George Gill Range, it is 323 km southwest of Alice Springs and 1,316 km south of Darwin.

Description

A view from the upper edge of the canyon

The walls of Kings Canyon are over 100 metres high, with Kings Creek at the bottom. Part of the gorge is a sacred Aboriginal site and visitors are discouraged from walking off the walking tracks.

Three walks exist at Kings Canyon. The two km (return) and approximately one-hour Kings Creek Walk traces the bottom of the gorge. At the end of the walk is a platform, with views of the canyon walls above. The six km (loop) Kings Canyon Rim Walk traces the top of the canyon and takes three to four hours to complete.[1] A steep climb at the beginning of the walk, which locals call "Heartbreak Hill" (or "Heart Attack Hill", due to its steepness), takes visitors up to the top, with spectacular views of the gorge below and of the surrounding landscape. About half way during the walk, a detour descends to the Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole surrounded by lush plant life. The last half of the walk passes through a large maze of weathered sandstone domes, reminiscent of the Bungle Bungle. A slow descent brings the visitor back to the starting point. The loop can also be done in reverse (anti-clockwise), but the National Park Rangers encourage visitors to walk in one direction. Access to the walk may be restricted during hot weather.[2] The 22 km Giles Track connects Kings Canyon to Kathleen Springs and is popular with more adventurous hikers.

Birds that can be seen on the Kings Canyon Rim walk include spinifex pigeon, zebra finch, grey-headed honeyeater, dusky grasswren, black-breasted buzzard and peregrine falcon.

Kings Canyon Solar Power Station was a photovoltaic power station in the Northern Territory, with a generating capacity of 225 kWp and electricity production of 372,000 kWh of electricity per annum. It was the largest single installation of its kind in Australia and began operation in December 2003.[3] It has been shut down since December 2015 due to the local tourist resort installing its own generators.

References

  1. ↑ Louise Southerden (14 September 2009). "King's Canyon Rim Walk, NT". Australian Geographic. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  2. ↑ "Watarrka National Park". Parks and Wildlife Commission NT. Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  3. ↑ Renewable energy Archived November 4, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
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