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Visited: late dry season
Recommendation: Not as famous as Uluru but absolutely as spectacular. The rim and valley are accessible and host a wide variety of wildlife. If you are in the area, this is a must do.
Kings Canyon was formed through a process of erosion and weathering over millions of years. Millions of years ago, this area was covered by a vast inland sea. As the sea receded, layers of sediment, primarily sandstone, were deposited. Over time, tectonic forces pushed the land upwards, lifting the sedimentary layers. This created a high plateau.
Wind, rain, and temperature fluctuations began to erode the sandstone. Over millions of years, the softer layers were worn away, leaving behind the harder, more resistant sandstone that now forms the towering cliffs of Kings Canyon. Water played a significant role in shaping the canyon. Rainwater carved out channels, eventually forming the deep gorge we see today. The Watarrka Creek, which flows through the canyon, continues to shape the landscape.
The result of these processes is a breath-taking landscape characterized by towering cliffs, ancient sandstone formations, and lush vegetation. Kings Canyon is a popular tourist destination, offering hiking trails, swimming holes, and stunning views. It's also a very good place for wildlife.
Thorny Devil (Moloch horridus)
Between the valley walk and the rim walk, there are so many suitable habitats for reptiles. The Slater's Ring-tailed Dragon are reasonably common in this area and much more regularly seen (in my experience) than the Thorny Devil. These incredibly odd lizards are usually seen alongside or sitting on the roads. I only saw one while I was in the Red Centre and had to steer it off the road so it wouldn't get run over.
Even though their colours are bright and distinctive, once they are against the sand they become very cryptic. They stand out, however, on the road which helps when you are trying to find them.
Slater's Ring-tailed Dragon (Ctenophorus slateri)
Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps plumifera)
I always love seeing the Spinifex Pigeon. They are just so unusual to look at. You can kind of understand its colours as they do blend in to the desert surrounds but what's with that crest? Research has not come up with a definitive answer. It could be to do with sexual selection, social communication or even thermal regulation. The jury is still out.
I was thrilled to see more of the Dusky Grasswren on the descent from the rim walk. They have a restricted range in Central Australia and even that is patchy and unreliable. Kings Canyon is a suitable habitat as they have a strong preference for rocky ranges and outcrops, often with areas of thick, long-unburnt spinifex grasses in the genus Triodia. The surrounding areas also provide good opportunities to look for this difficult bird as tumbled rock or scree slopes, provide them with cover and foraging opportunities.
Dusky Grasswren (Amytornis purnelli)
Arabian Camel (Camelus dromedarius)
On the approach road to Kings Canyon I was stopped by a herd of camel crossing in front. I loved that. I know they are feral and not really supposed to be here but something about them was really wonderful. They were first introduced to Australia in the 19th century to assist in the exploration and development of the arid interior. They were found to be well-suited to the harsh Australian outback climate and were used for transportation and carrying supplies.
However, as motorized transport became more prevalent, camels were no longer needed and many were released into the wild. These feral camels thrived in the Australian environment, leading to a significant population explosion. It is thought that Australia is now home to the largest number of camels in the world.
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