Route: Kings Canyon Rim Walk, Heartbreak Hill, Lost City, Cotterills Lookout, Kings Creek, Garden of Eden, South Rim, Kestrel Falls, Kings Creek
Date: 26/05/2025
From: Kings Canyon
Parking: Kings Canyon Car Park
Start Point: Kings Canyon Car Park
Finish Point: Kings Canyon Car Park
Region: Watarrka National Park
Route length: 6.2 km
Time taken: 02:45
Average speed: 3.3 km/h
Ascent: 268m
Descent: 270m
Points of Interest: Cotterills Lookout, Garden of Eden
Kings Canyon, located in Watarrka National Park in the Northern Territory, is a spectacular natural formation. Situated approximately 300 km southwest of Alice Springs, it lies at the western end of the George Gill Range and is renowned for its dramatic cliffs, rock domes, and lush waterholes.
It is a popular destination for visitors staying close to Uluṟu, but whether it's ideal for a day trip depends on your travel style and stamina. The drive from Uluru (specifically Yulara) to Kings Canyon is approximately 3 to 3.5 hours one way. This means a round trip can total 6–7 hours of driving, making for a long day, especially if you plan to do the Rim Walk, which itself takes 3–4 hours. Is it worth the effort? Absolutely, if you have a hire car to hand.
The Rim Walk, as the name suggests, takes you from the entrance to the canyon then along the rim in a 6 km one-way clockwise loop. The one-way direction reduces the chance of hikers from encountering others, making the hike more enjoyable. On days when the temperature forecast is 36 Celsius or above, you must start the Kings Canyon Rim Walk before 9am.
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| A dramatic structure stands at the beginning of the hike |
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| The hike is well sign posted throughout |
The Rim Walk starts from the car park, following a wide path to the base of the cliffs. This marks the beginning of the only major climb of the hike, up some 500 steep steps, nicknamed 'Heartbreak Hill'. While the climb is pretty taxing, there are a number of places to rest and take in the amazing views across the desert plain and into the canyon itself.
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| Cotterill Memorial |
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| Heartbreak Hill - the very beginning of the hike |
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| The beginning of the climb |
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| Looking back from the first section of the climb |
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| Kings Canyon |
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| Heartbreak Hill |
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| Views back over the parking area |
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| There are several places to pause as you climb the hill |
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| Kings Canyon |
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| Kings Canyon |
At the top of the climb is an emergency telephone and helicopter landing pad. From here, the path enters a group of weathered sandstone domes known as the Lost City. These formations resemble the ruins of an ancient walled settlement. The trail passes through sections of these domes, including a flat rock platform surrounded by them. It's hard not to keep stopping to take photographs.
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| An emergency beacon stands at the top of the hill |
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| The path to the Lost City |
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| Entering the Lost City |
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| The Lost City |
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| The Lost City |
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| The Lost City |
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| The path follows a route amongst the domes |
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| The surreal domes of Kings Canyon |
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| The gnarled trees make for excellent subjects |
As the path finds its way to the cliff edge, you'll have the option to visit Cotterill's Lookout, the first of two detours you can take on the Kings Canyon Rim Walk. First, you'll have to cross Cotterill's Bridge.
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| Kings Canyon |
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| The Kings Creek viewing platform |
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| The entrance to Kings Canyon |
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| Kings Canyon |
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| The sheer walls of the South Rim |
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| Cotterills Bridge |
Originally constructed in 1962 by Jack Cotterill using timber, sandstone slabs, and 8-gauge fencing wire. Cotterill was a pioneering figure in Central Australia's tourism industry, particularly known for opening up Kings Canyon to visitors in the early 1960s. The original 1962 bridge collapsed in 1991 and was replaced with a sturdier metal version. Remnants of the original structure can still be seen when crossing the bridge.
Reaching the lookout requires a short scramble over a few sandstone domes. Once there, you’ll have clear views of the canyon’s sheer 150-metre-high walls and the floor below. The walk to the lookout is a 1.2 km return track, typically adding around 20 minutes to your overall hike.
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| Cotterills Bridge |
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| Small posts guide the way to the lookout |
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| Cotterills Lookout |
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| The North Rim cliffs |
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| Looking down into the Garden of Eden from Cotterills Lookout |
Shortly after the detour to Cotterill’s Bridge, there is a second optional detour leading into the Garden of Eden. This side track adds approximately 20 minutes or more to your walk. The route includes several flights of stairs, both ascending and descending, and leads to a waterhole surrounded by lush vegetation.
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| The domes extend into the far distance |
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| Back on the main path |
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| Approaching the Garden of Eden |
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| The detour is signposted |
The detour to the Garden of Eden is well worth the effort. The waterhole offers a cool, peaceful setting that makes it an ideal spot for a short break. The vibrant green of the surrounding trees and cycads stands out against the grey and red tones of the rock formations.
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| The paht to the waterhole is interesting in its own right |
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| The Garden of Eden |
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| The Garden of Eden |
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| Reflections in the water |
The final section of the walk follows the south rim of Kings Canyon. From this vantage point, you get a different perspective of the domes and the terrain you’ve already traversed. As the day progresses, temperatures can rise noticeably along this exposed stretch. South Wall Lookout has one of the most dramatic viewpoints on the entire walk. From here, you can look back across the canyon to the Lost City and down into the Garden of Eden.
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| The oasis at the head of the canyon |
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| The exposed South Rim |
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| The Garden of Eden from above |
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| South Rim Lookout |
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| Cliffs of the North Rim |
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| Kings Canyon |
Approaching the end of the hike, you'll cross the top of Kestrel Falls. Kestrel Falls only flows after heavy rain, so it’s not a permanent feature. Even when dry, the area around Kestrel Falls offers dramatic views of the escarpment and the surrounding landscape. There’s a final lookout nearby that provides a view back toward the falls and the George Gill Range.
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| The expanse of Watarrka National Park |
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| More of those interesting domes |
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| THe adjacent valley is equally impressive |
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| The top of Kestrel Falls |
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| Kings Creek |
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| Kestrel Falls and Kings Creek |
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| Tumbling cliffs |
From the lookout, the trail begins a steady descent back towards the parking area, which is clearly visible in the distance. It doesn't take long the reach the base of the cliffs.
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| The final leg to the car park |
The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is one of those hikes that really sticks with you and is well worth the effort getting there from Uluru. The early climb might get your heart pumping, but once you're up top, it’s all wide-open views, interesting rock formations, and awe-inspiring cliffs. It’s the kind of walk that makes you slow down, take it all in, and maybe even feel a little small—in the best possible way.
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