Hiking Kings Canyon With Kids
Nothing says family time, like hiking a canyon in Australia’s outback! Right?
We never planned on hiking Kings Canyon but as we chatted to fellow travellers and told them our plans to travel through the NT, we were told about Kings Canyon and that it was a must-do hike if we were able to. Some travellers were sceptical as we had three children under nine. But we also met plenty of families that told us their story and one family had hiked it carrying their baby!
So we had decided to add it to our ‘things to-do’ list and plan it in our Northern Territory adventure.
Where Is Kings Canyon?
Kings Canyon is basically in the middle of nowhere. But a more precise location is that it is located 327 kilometres west of Alice Springs along the Stuart Highway. This is roughly a 4-hour drive. The Stuart Highway is fully sealed so need to go off-road at all. Taking this way is the longest way to Kings Canyon but it is also the most commonly travelled way. There is another route but you do need an off-road vehicle and a pass to be able to access the road. We recommend highly looking into that route before tackling it as the road is very unstable and rugged.
What Walk To Choose?
Kings Creek Walk
The Kings Creek Walk is a 2.6-kilometre return walk that will take between 30-60 minutes depending on your fitness level. The gentle slope of the track meanders up Kings Creek and is suitable for everyone. There is a wheelchair access road that takes you 700 metres up the track.
South Wall Walk
The South Wall Walk is a 4.8-kilometre return walk that will take between 1.5-2 hours to complete. The walk starts with a steep climb up to the south wall of Kings Canyon and offers stunning views of the parks geological features.
Rim Walk
The Rim Walk is a 6-kilometre circuit and took our family of five just under two hours to complete. We did a few stops for drink breaks but overall that was all walking time. The walk offers spectacular views from the Canyon rim and along the way you can see the weathered domes of the lost city.
All three walks offer stunning views and surround you with a somewhat oasis feel with the vegetation and plants that are within. The Garden of Eden makes you feel like you are inside a tropical rainforest but unfortunately there is no swimming allowed.
Remember to take plenty of water and wear comfortable shoes. There is no set footpath and has some rock climbing throughout the Rim Walk. Happy travels and we hope to hear about your adventures hiking Kings Canyon in the comments below.
Kylie and Dan