"Is the King’s Canyon Rim Walk the Most Breath-taking Hike in Australia? | Wander & Hook" скачать в хорошем качестве

"Is the King’s Canyon Rim Walk the Most Breath-taking Hike in Australia? | Wander & Hook"

Welcome to another unforgettable chapter of our big lap around Australia. In this episode, Wander & Hook takes you deep into the heart of the Northern Territory to tackle one of the most iconic hikes in the country. The King’s Canyon Rim Walk. Rising out of Watarrka National Park like a natural fortress, this canyon is dramatic, spiritual, and unlike anywhere else on earth. But is the Rim Walk really the most breathtaking hike in Australia? That’s what we set out to discover, with our shoes laced (no thongs today), water bottles filled, and our black lab Django relaxing in the air-conditioned van while we took on the trail. 🏜️ What is King’s Canyon? King’s Canyon sits within Watarrka National Park, around 450km southwest of Alice Springs and just north of Uluru, Kata Tjuta National Park. The canyon’s sandstone walls soar more than 100 metres high, sheltering a hidden world of palm-fringed oases, prehistoric plants, and sacred Aboriginal sites. For thousands of years, the Luritja people have lived here, and their stories are etched into the rocks, waterholes, and dreaming tracks that cross this land. Unlike the open plains of the Red Centre, King’s Canyon feels like a world within a world. As you climb onto the rim, you’re standing on the remnants of ancient seabeds and dunes that hardened into rock some 400 million years ago. Over millennia, wind and water carved the deep chasms and beehive domes we see today. It’s more than just geology; it’s a place where nature, history, and spirituality collide. The King’s Canyon Rim Walk Experience. The Rim Walk is a 6km circuit that takes 3–4 hours to complete. The journey starts with what locals call “Heartbreak Hill”, hundreds of steep stone steps that hit you right at the beginning. It’s a brutal way to start, but it’s also the fastest way to climb onto the rim. At the top, there’s a defibrillator station, and you’ll find another three spread across the rim walk. That tells you everything you need to know: the start can push even the fittest hikers. The park has also set aside emergency helicopter landing zones along the rim, just in case someone needs urgent evacuation. It’s a serious hike, but the precautions give you peace of mind. Once you conquer Heartbreak Hill, the trail levels out, and suddenly you’re rewarded with one of the most spectacular landscapes in Australia. The rim stretches in both directions, the walls of the canyon drop away beneath you, and the desert unfolds endlessly beyond. Highlights along the track include: The North and South Walls — towering cliffs that plunge dramatically into the gorge below. The Lost City — beehive-shaped domes that look like the ruins of an ancient civilisation. The Garden of Eden — a lush waterhole hidden deep in the canyon, surrounded by cycads and ghost gums. Sandstone Plateaus — where you can see fossilised ripple marks from ancient seas. Every turn feels like another chapter in a storybook written by time itself. 🛻 Caravanning to King’s Canyon We rolled into the King's Canyon Caravan Park with our Vacationer Roughrider 21R caravan, towed by the reliable Toyota LandCruiser LC300 Series. Caravanning here isn't difficult; the roads are long, and there's a fuel stop at the park. But nothing beats pulling up at the King’s Canyon Resort campground, setting out the awning, and having the canyon walls glow in the distance as the sun sets. There are a few options for camping and accommodation: King’s Canyon Resort — powered/unpowered sites, cabins, and fuel. King’s Creek Station — a working cattle and camel station with camping and meals. Free camps along the Lasseter Highway if you’re fully self-contained. For travellers doing the big lap, King’s Canyon is a must-stop, not just for the hike but for the feeling of being at the very heart of the outback. ✨ Comparisons — King’s Canyon vs Uluru & Kata Tjuta Travellers often ask: If I only have time for one, should I hike Uluru, Kata Tjuta, or King’s Canyon? Here’s our take: Uluru Base Walk: Spiritual, cultural, and iconic. Flat and accessible. Kata Tjuta Valley of the Winds: Rugged, mysterious, with domed rock formations. King’s Canyon Rim Walk: The most adventurous, with dramatic heights and varied landscapes. The truth? If you can, do all three. But if we had to choose, it would be King's Canon all the way. For us, it wasn't as commercial and will leave deep-seated memories. Q: How hard is the King’s Canyon Rim Walk? A: It’s moderate to challenging. Heartbreak Hill is a tough start, but after that, the track is manageable. Q: Can you swim in the Garden of Eden waterhole? A: No, swimming is not allowed. The waterhole is culturally significant. Q: Do I need a permit? A: No permits are required for day walks, but respect all signage and cultural restrictions. Q: What’s the best time of day to do the Rim Walk? A: Early morning — cooler temps, softer light for photography.