Established in 1989 Watarrka National Park protects 720 sq km of western end of rugged George Gill Range in the Northern Territory.
Park lies 1316 km south of Darwin and 323 km southwest of Alice Springs. It contains the much visited Kings Canyon at the western end of the George Gill Range and Kathleen Springs.
The walls of Kings Canyon rise over 100 metres high above Kings Creek. Part of the gorge is a sacred Aboriginal site. Kings Canyon can be visited by following one of two tracks. Kings Creek Walk traces the bottom of the gorge and leads to a platform, with views of the canyon walls above.
Kings Canyon Rim Walk is 6km long and traces the top of the canyon. It starts with a steep climb called “Heartbreak Hill”, quickly leads to the top, with spectacular views of the gorge below. Walk passes through a large maze of weathered sandstone domes called Lost City. About half way during the walk, a detour descends to Garden of Eden, unexpected oasis of life surrounding a waterhole.