We’re always excited to share real travel experiences from families exploring the Northern Territory, and this one comes from Kim of @the.nguyens.passport. In this guest post, Kim shares her family’s two-night stay at Kings Creek Station and their adventure exploring Watarrka National Park and Kings Canyon with the kids in tow.
From relaxed afternoons around the campfire and sunset at Kings Creek Station to tackling the climb into Kings Canyon, discovering the creek walk and even spotting a mob of brumbies on the way out, Kim’s experience is a great reminder that you don’t have to do everything to have an incredible NT adventure. Here’s how her family made the most of their time in one of Central Australia’s most iconic landscapes.
Want to know all about planning your trip to Watarrka? Scroll to the bottom of the post to see which site locals use to book hotels, where trusted travelers book tours, and how to find the best flight deals. Or Click Here to be taken there now.
Starting Our Adventure
We checked into Kings Creek Station for two nights. The first day we were there we didn’t rush off anywhere – we were more than happy to slow down and settle into camp.
We collected some firewood from the campground area (not the National Park), while the kids headed straight for the playground. Of course, no afternoon with kids is complete without ice creams, so we made a trip to the shop, which was well stocked with groceries and also had plenty of Kings Creek Station merchandise.
One of our favourite things to do while travelling – find a good spot, grab a drink and watch the sunset and Sunset Hill at Kings Creek Station was the perfect place for it. Watching the sun over the red dirt and surrounding landscape was a sight in itself.
Once the sun had gone down, we went back down to our camp and we cooked dinner over the campfire, sat around enjoying the night and let the kids enjoy the freedom of being outside.
It was the perfect, relaxed start to our two nights at Kings Creek Station before the big adventure at Kings Canyon the next day.
Heading to Kings Canyon
The next morning we headed out and explored one of the big highlights of our NT adventure – Watarrka National Park and Kings Canyon. We had the kids with us, so our plan was pretty simple: see as much as we could and have some fun.
We decided to tackle the climb up Kings Canyon and WOW… that first section certainly got the thighs working! Let’s just say there was a fair bit of, “How many more steps”, which was mostly from me and not the kids! But once we got to the top, the views made every step worth it.
The massive red cliffs, rocky landscape and views across the outback were absolutely incredible. It’s one of those places where photos really don’t do it justice. We didn’t plan to do the rim walk as we didn’t have a whole lot of time, so the plan was to go to the top, enjoy the views and then go back down to do the creek walk.
After making our way back down, we headed off to do the creek walk – this ended up being one of our favourite parts. It was such a different side of Kings Canyon. After the big climb, walking alongside the creek with the greenery, the creeks and towering canyon walls was beautiful. The kids enjoyed exploring along the way and it was a much more relaxed walk for all of us. There was no racing to the finish line – just wandering, looking around and enjoying being somewhere completely different from home.
Dinner at Kings Creek Station
After our walk, we headed back to camp for a well-earned bevvy while the kids went straight back to the playground.
By dinner time, we decided to give the campfire a night off and headed to the restaurant at Kings Creek Station – and wow, the food did not disappoint! I had one of the best parmi’s I’ve had in a long time, the meals were absolutely huge and the kids were very happy, which meant everyone left with full bellies and we all slept very well that night!
The next morning, we filled up with fuel, packed up and headed off early. Just as we were leaving, we were lucky enough to spot a mob of brumbies crossing the road. Seeing them wandering through the red dirt as we drove away was such an amazing way to finish our stay and made our two nights at Kings Creek Station feel even more special. It was one of those unexpected little moments that you just can’t plan for and one we’ll definitely remember.
Our Family T for Watarrka:
Where we stayed: We spent two nights at Kings Creek Station, which was a great base for exploring Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park. After a big day exploring, it was pretty nice to have somewhere close by to come back to, relax and watch the sunset. There is also the option of staying at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon.
Getting there: Kings Creek Station is around 30 minutes from Kings Canyon, making it an easy base if you’re travelling through Central Australia. We were travelling with our caravan, so having somewhere we could set up for a couple of nights and explore from was perfect.
What to pack: Water, water and more water! Especially if you’re planning on doing any of the longer walks. Good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and plenty of snacks are also essential!
Family tip: Don’t feel like you have to conquer the Rim Walk. We weren’t prepared for it on the day, so we changed our plans and did the climb and creek walk instead. We still had an amazing day. Check the current park conditions and walking recommendations before you head out, and choose a walk that suits your family.
Our insider tip: Make time for sunset at Sunset Hill at Kings Creek Station. Grab a drink, let the kids burn off whatever energy they have left and watch the desert change colour as the sun goes down. After a day on the trails, it was the perfect way to finish.
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Tours to the Rim Walk
Rock the Centre (Yulara to Alice Springs)
📍Uluru and Watarrka National Parks, NT
⏰ 3 days
💰 From $775
Experience the heart of Australia on a 3-day adventure from Yulara to Alice Springs. Explore Kata Tjuta, Uluru and Kings Canyon, with sunrise and sunset experiences, guided cultural insights and spectacular walks. Take on the iconic Kings Canyon Rim Walk, discovering dramatic cliffs, the Lost City and Garden of Eden, before settling into a comfortable swag beneath the stars.
3-Day Rock Trip
📍Uluru and Watarrka National Parks, NT
⏰ 3 days
💰 From $809
Set off on an unforgettable 3-day journey through the Red Centre, travelling from Alice Springs or Ayers Rock Airport to some of Australia’s most iconic landscapes. Experience Uluru at sunset, hike through Kata Tjuta’s Valley of the Winds and tackle the spectacular Kings Canyon Rim Walk, with campfire meals and star-filled nights along the way.
3 night Rock the Centre (Alice Springs to Yulara)
📍Uluru and Watarrka National Parks, NT
⏰ 4 days
💰 From $825
Journey through the Red Centre on a 4-day adventure from Alice Springs to Yulara, discovering Kata Tjuta, Uluru and Kings Canyon along the way. Walk through Walpa Gorge, experience Uluru at sunrise and sunset, learn about its cultural significance and take on the iconic Kings Canyon Rim Walk, with nights spent swag camping beneath the desert stars.
Rock-to-Rock Tour
📍Uluru and Watarrka National Parks, NT
⏰ 4 days
💰 From $839
Take on an energetic 4-day adventure through the Red Centre, with optional starts and finishes at Alice Springs or Ayers Rock Airport. Discover Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon, hike the Valley of the Winds and iconic Kings Canyon Rim Walk, and camp beneath the stars. Along the way, enjoy campfire meals, Outback scenery and a sunset view of Mt Conner.
If you’re travelling with kids, don’t feel like you have to do everything. There are plenty of ways to experience Watarrka without taking on the biggest walk. Our biggest tip is to take plenty of water, wear good shoes, start early and know your limits. We certainly learnt that last one!
And the Rim Walk?….We’ll be back for you!
We greatly value your input! Share your thoughts and experiences about Watarrka National Park in the comments below!
Norther® would like to invite you to explore more about the beauty of Watarrka National Park here. And… as always you can get more inspiration for other National Parks & Destinations to visit by following @northerhq or get your Watarrka National Park daily fix @watarrkanationalpark
Heading to the NT? Here’s What You Need to Get Started
Travel Insurance
Whether you’re from Australia or across the globe, it’s a great idea to get insurance to cover unexpected accidents or medical emergencies. AllClear and Cover More are our favourite travel insurance providers to give us the peace of mind while heading to the outback.
Flights
For the best deals on flights, we recommend using Trip.com. It’s super easy to compare prices across different airlines and booking sites. I always find great options for my trips, and it saves me so much time and money!
Hotels
We always recommend using Booking.com for hotels. They have a variety of accommodation options and great filters to help you find the perfect place for your trip to the NT. With amazing deals, a great loyalty program, and the largest selection of hotels and rentals, it’s our favourite place to book rooms.
Tours
Tours, either multi-day, half-day, or private excursions, are a great way to experience the NT. Viator has a great selection of activities to help you travel the Territory and learn from locals.
Car Rental
If you're looking to rent a car to explore the Territory on your own, we suggest checking out Budget. It’s so easy to compare prices and find the best option from their huge selection of cars. Or try Rentalcars.com to see cars from all rental companies in the NT.
National Parks Pass
If you live outside the NT and plan on visiting national parks, you'll need a Parks pass. Choose from a day pass, a 2-week pass, 12-month pass, or family pass at NT.gov.au. If you're an NT resident be sure you bring your NT driver licence or proof of residency. Note: Park Passes are not accepted at Kakadu or Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks. Purchase those from Parks Australia.
Sim Card
If you're travelling and need a reliable connection, We'd recommend getting an eSIM from Airalo. Choose from data only or cellular connection. It’s super convenient and helps you stay connected without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards or paying exorbitant fees to your wireless provider.
