Kings Canyon here we come! - Friday 26th October 2012

With a possibility of some rain overnight, I was very relieved to awake to a clear day and a dry tent. The forecast few days of cooler weather in the mid 20's would be a great relief from the high 30's to 40 that we had been having. We have learnt to take with a pinch of salt what other people say about how interesting or boring certain roads are and we headed back out on the road we came in on. On the inward trip we could not see Mt Conner in the distance because of smoke but this time it was very clear. Mt Conner, Uluru and Kata Tjuta are all in a line but all are so different in their geological make up. Mt Conner is a very large flat topped Mesa type mountain. As it was still about 20km away from the viewing lookout it looked impressive but was a bit dull as it was in under the shadow of a cloud. Then as we were watching, the shadow started to roll back from one end and continue along the length just like someone was drawing back a curtain until it was fully bathed in light and all its detail clearly visible. How these three completely different monoliths could be in close proximity to each other is a mystery.

So we did a left turn onto new roads and on to Kings Canyon, along what was supposed to be a "boring" ride. Just the opposite; the countryside changed, the spinifex and trees became a lot greener and healthier and the Intrepids were taken in by the beauty of the ride.

On arrival at the Kings Canyon Resort and with bad memories of Glen Helen Resort still in our minds we were pleasantly surprised with what we found. The girl at reception was very helpful and found a way for us to set up in the greener shadier non powered area while still having access to power. Located just outside an amenity block and close to a kitchen we happily set up.

A walk was on the agenda before sunset and a well set out rim walk through the bush encircling the Resort was very enticing. Along the track there was plenty of evidence of Dingos with their prints and faeces marking the way. I think Trish still had memories of our Dingo encounter on Fraser Island on her mind.

A good meal of Trish's famous "Plastic Spew" for tea and off to bed on a cool night for a change.

Kings Canyon Walk - Saturday 27th October 2012

With our riding pants pulled up over our hiking shorts we headed off early to explore Kings Canyon. Sometimes a little voice in the back of your head says "Oh just another canyon" but this one would turn out to be special. Not just another canyon but Kings Canyon. A short flat paved walk lulls you into a false sense of ease until the path turns left and heads straight up the canyon wall via a very steep rocky staircase. Since the scenery was so great it was an excellent excuse to stop and admire while little children scrambled past like nimble mountain goats, with their parents struggling to keep up. Once again more interesting geology for the Intrepids to admire. There are two types of sandstone layered on top of each other and each from a completely different geological period and method of formation.

The bottom layer Carmichael Sandstone and the top being Mereenie Sandstone. The top Mereenie sandstone was formed from ancient sand dunes with crisscrossing layers of wind blown dunes of white sand which have solidified with time and then red dust oxidising on the outside to hide the almost pure white sparkly interior. The rim walk is over the amazing structures and patterns formed from the Mereenie sandstone. The weathered and textured shapes of interesting dome like structures; set against brilliant white gums was a sight to behold. Gasps and sighs from the Intrepids. A true wonderland! Every now and then the walk would come up to the edge giving amazing views down into the canyon.

To cross a separate branch of the canyon we had to descend via a wooden staircase and across a bridge. Before ascending via another staircase there was a separate side walk into what was called "The Garden of Eden". I don't know who dreams up these names, not a Garden Of Eden but a beautiful rock pool down in the canyon and ancient zamia palms from a long gone wetter period. Well worth the side trip. Once the talkative backpacker tour left we sat in silence, admired the scenery and devoured an orange each.

The rest of the walk around the rim was just as interesting and beautiful. We have met people who say that they think Kings Canyon is better than Uluru but to us they are all beautiful, each for their own reasons.

I finally got a chance to try my bush tucker skills that we learnt on some of our tours. A tree near our tent was loaded with "bush coconuts" which are a gall formed by a parasite working on the branches of the tree. Once cut open you can eat the worm then dig out the inside flesh which has a eucalytsy, coconut flavour.

Three Dingos were seen tonight trying to steal food from a backpacker tent where they left everything outside.

Kathleen Springs Walk - Sunday 28th October 2012

Today we did two shorter walks, the first into Kathleen Springs. The narrow canyon was used for thousands of years by the Aboriginal people with the natural spring drawing in animals and providing year round water. In recent years it was used by the pastoralists to trap and pen their cattle that came in for a drink. Even though they have tried to remove the feral camels from the National Park there are still obviously a few around. Evidence of camel droppings and footprints leading in and out of the spring highlighted their presence.

Second walk was into the bottom of the Kings Canyon along Kings Creek. Again there was a strong presence of the generations of Aboriginal usage. The rocky creek and the beautiful River Gums was a stark contrast to the panoramic views of the rim walk that we had done the day before.

It is now time to retrace our steps and head back out onto the Stuart Highway and on to South Australia.

Dave the Bush Tucker Man