Watarrka National Park is a protected area in the Northern Territory, 1316 km south of Darwin and closest to the town of Yulara. The park was established in 1989 and named after the Aboriginal name of the land, as the land sits upon traditional lands of the Matutjara people, and includes the western end of the George Gill Range. It is jointly managed by the local Traditional Owners and the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory. One of the main highlights of the park is the Kings Canyon, with ancient red canyon walls soaring 100 meters above Kings Creek to a plateau of rocky domes. Visitors may travel through the majestic ranges on foot, or book helicopter tours. Kings Canyon takes you back millions of years, seeing the formation of the complex landscape and ancient fossils in the area. There are a variety of flora and fauna protected in sheltered creek environments throughout the park. This makes the Park an important area of Visitors can continue to Kathleen Springs, 21 km from Kings Canyon. Relics of old stockyards are seen along walks to the permanent waterhole. There are multiple short walks available for people of all ages, and commercial accommodations are offered.

How to get to Watarrka National Park

The Park is located southwest of Alice Springs and can be reached via a number of routes:

• via the Stuart Highway, Lasseter Highway and Luritja Road (sealed roads);
• via Larapinta Drive through the Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park (sealed and unsealed roads). A Mereenie Loop pass is required to travel this route and is available from the Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre and Kings Canyon Resort (4WD essential);
• via the Stuart Highway, Ernest Giles Road (unsealed – 4WD essential) and Luritja Road.

Park maps with marked points of interest and destinations

Check out more details please visit Here

When to visit Watarrka?

The Park is accessible all year round. See overleaf for access information during hot weather. The cooler months (April to September) are the most pleasant. Overnight camping in tents or campervans is not permitted in the National Park. Commercial motel and camping accommodation is the only option available for visitors wishing to stay overnight at Watarrka.

• What you can do at Watarrka National Park
• Bushwalking
• Wildlife Spotting: watch for diverse flora and fauna in sheltered creek environments!
• Photography
• Ranger-guided activities: Please call 08 8951 8250 for more information
• View the King’s Canyon geology!
  • Cuts through layers of Mereenie Sandstone that were deposited 400 million years ago, now 30 meters high
  • Then cuts through softer Carmichael Sandstone, deposited 440 million years ago
  • Cross bedding are often found in domes, due to changes in wind directions
  • Lush vegetation at the Garden of Eden
  • Sandstone was laid down in shallow marine environment, traces of fossils can be found
  • Mereenie Sandstone is a clean white sandstone, turned red due to iron-rich dust blown onto the rock surface
  • King’s Creek sits 650 meters above sea level, canyon walls range from 100 to 150 meters above the creek

Camping Information

Overnight camping in tents, caravans or motorhomes is NOT allowed in the National Park. Commercial accommodation, camping, and bunkhouses are available at the Kings Canyon Resort. Phone: 08 8956 7442; Camping and safari-style cabins are available at the Kings Creek Station. Phone: 08 8956 7474.

Park facilities

Watarrka National Park has all of the following facilities:

• information signs
• ranger station – emergency contact only
• drinking water
• public toilets
• wheelchair access
• picnic area
• walking tracks
• scenic lookout
• wi-fi.

Variety of trails in the Park include:

• The Kings Creek Walk: 206 km, one hour return
• The Kings Canyon Rim Walk: 6 km loop, 3-4 hours
• South Wall Return Walk: 4.8 km, 2 hours return
• Kathleen Springs Walk: 2.6 km, 1.5 hour return
• The Giles Track: 22 km, 2 days

Brief info on travelling with family, kids & pets

• Pets are permitted on a leash in the Kings Canyon car park only
• Take special caution with children around: cliffs are especially dangerous
• Shorter trails are perfect for families!
• Visiting Watarrka National Park is a great experience for local, interstate and international school groups. It is important that all groups are safe and respect the environment when visiting. For more information, please click Here

What to pack for this park’s visit?

• Lots of water
• shady hat
• sunscreen
• insect repellent
• suitable clothing/footwear
• Emergency contact devices: satellite phone/personal locator beacon

Day trip information (How long will hikes take? Where to park?)

• Most walks will only take a few hours and can be done during the day. The Giles Track will take about two days, please plan appropriate accommodations.
• Due to heat, please start walking before 9 am at Kings Canyon Rim Walk and before 11 am for South Wall Return Walk on hot days.

Safety advice

• There is NO drinking water on Kings Canyon Rim Walk, please bring enough water
• Avoid strenuous activity during the heat of the day
• Consider your health and fitness before choosing a walk
• Keep to designated roads and tracks
• Stay at least 2 m from cliff edges
• Do not throw rocks over cliff edges: there may be people below
• Observe park safety signs

Some commonly spotted animals at Watarrka National Parks include:

• Desert Tree Frog
  
  • Desert Tree Frogs are tree frogs native to Australia. It is Australia’s mode widely distributed frog, and one of few that can survive in a variety of habitats. They are usually round with small flat head, also with short arms and strong legs.
• Thorny Devil
  
  • Thorny devils are a species of lizard endemic to Australia. They can grow up to 21 cm with colors of brown and tans to camouflage. Some other names include mountain devil, thorny lizard, thorny dragon, and moloch.
• Diamond Dove
  
  • Diamond doves are small pigeons, mostly living in arid or semi-arid regions. They grow to a length of 19 to 21 centimeters, with white spots and black edges on their wings. They are often found on the ground, running with a waddling gait.

When visiting the park remember all of the following:

• stay on designated roads and tracks
• stay at least 2m from cliff edges
• historic, cultural items and wildlife are protected
• firewood collection is not permitted in the park
• fires are not permitted in the park
• bins are not provided, so take your rubbish with you
• pets are permitted on a leash in the Kings Canyon car park only
• don’t throw rocks over cliff edges as there may be people below
• camping is not permitted in the park
• a permit is required for drone use – conditions apply and it must be obtained prior to your arrival in the park.