Petermann: Watarrka, Kings Canyon and Walking Trails

Watarrka National Park is located on Luritja Road in Petermann and is a living cultural landscape for the Anangu ngurraritja. Kings Canyon’s rocky landscape and several walking trails with different profiles are also key considerations when planning your trip. When comparing trails, look beyond the distance: duration, difficulty, surface and equipment requirements can help you decide which trail fits your daily plans. Your planned walking time and travel interests can also play a role when choosing a hotel.

Canyon scenery and a rock pool

The ancient red walls of Kings Canyon rise 100 m above Kings Creek to a plateau of rocky domes. The elevation, creek and rocky domes give the canyon its distinctive profile. Kings Canyon is considered a highlight for visitors to Central Australia. The Garden of Eden offers a different feature: its rock pool is surrounded by rare plants. Alongside the high canyon walls, water and plants are also distinctive features of the landscape.

Walking trails by time and requirements

The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is a 6 km circuit that takes 3 to 4 hours. After an initially steep climb, it offers spectacular views from the canyon rim. It is rated Grade 4 – moderate to difficult. This lets you factor a substantial amount of time and a trail with a demanding rating into your daily plans, rather than considering distance alone.

The Giles Track is also rated Grade 4 – moderate to difficult. It is for experienced walkers with average fitness who can carry their own food, water and sleeping equipment in a remote area. The two trails therefore have the same rating, but they require different planning: for the Rim Walk, the circuit, duration and steep start are relevant; for the Giles Track, the remote location and self-sufficiency are key considerations. So base your decision on more than the grade alone.

Kathleen Springs: a short, sealed trail

The Kathleen Springs trail offers a different scale: the sealed return trail is 2.4 km long, takes about 1.5 hours and is rated Grade 1 – easy. Compared with the Rim Walk, it is shorter, has an easier rating and takes considerably less time—about 1.5 hours instead of 3 to 4. The entire trail is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Kathleen Springs is 21 km by road from Kings Canyon. The 21 km refers to the road distance between Kathleen Springs and Kings Canyon; 2.4 km is the length of the trail. Along the way, signs tell stories of Aboriginal culture and the more recent cattle industry. Trail specifications can change, so check the latest information before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Desert Springs, Marrara, Tennant Creek, Dundee Beach, Adelaide River, Darwin, Ludmilla, Alyangula

For the main travel overview: Northern Territory.