Kings Canyon Rim Walk

1 h 45 min to 3 h

4.8 km
circuit

↑ 258 m
↓ -257 m

Moderate track
Starting from the car park at the end of Kings Canyon Access, Petermann, this circuit walk explores the Kings Canyon via the Kings Canyon Rim Walk track, visiting multiple viewpoints along the way. Neither the stories told nor the photos taken can show you how gorgeous this canyon is. Every turn has a potential to dazzle you with an exceptional view as you make your way along the rim. You can get down to the creekbed or the Garden of Eden where there’s a waterhole as well. Doing the walk early in the morning is recommended due to the high temperatures, but you’ll be rewarded with an exceptional sunrise if you manage to get up earlier. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Photo by admin, 2022.
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Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start From the Kings Canyon Rim Walk (-24.2557341,131.5702748)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Stuart Highway, Ghan.
  • Turn on to Lasseter Highway then drive for 108.1 km
  • Turn right onto Luritja Road and drive for another 160.7 km
  • Turn right and drive for another 3.8 km
  • Turn right and drive for another 110 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the car park at the end of Kings Canyon Access (not the diagonal parking lot for bigger vehicles), head towards the brown “Walking Tracks” along the paved path. Keep left after you pass by the sheltered seating area to your right and stay on the paved track. Follow the said track as it meanders along the creek bed (to your right) to continue along Kings Canyon Rim Walk(clockwise).....
Turn map Directions & comments
From the Kings Canyon Rim Walk Start heading along Kings Canyon Rim Walk (a walking track).
After 20 m pass the shelter (7 m on your right).
Then pass the sign (7 m on your right).
After another 5 m pass the car park (10 m on your left).
From the Kings Canyon Rim Walk continue straight, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
Keep left.
After another 35 m pass the water tap (on your right).
After another 70 m pass the "Emergency Radio 1" (on your left).
From the Kings Canyon Rim Walk continue straight, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
After another 9 m pass the shelter (5 m on your left).
Then pass the sign (5 m on your left).
After another 25 m pass the toilet (60 m on your left).
After another 325 m cross the ford.
From the Kings Canyon Rim Walk continue straight, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Kings Creek foreshore via the Kings Creek Walk. Will add about 15 minutes of walking time to your journey. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 55 m (at the intersection of Kings Canyon Rim Walk & Kings Creek Walk) turn left, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
After another 35 m head through/around the gate.
After another 6 m pass a seat (on your left).
After another 130 m come to the viewpoint (25 m on your right).
From the Kings Canyon Rim Walk continue straight, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
After another 215 m pass the "Emergency Radio 2" (9 m on your left).
After another 85 m (from the Kings Canyon Rim Walk) continue straight, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
After another 55 m pass the helipad (55 m on your right).
After another 810 m (from the Kings Canyon Rim Walk) veer right, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
After another 35 m come to the viewpoint (on your right).
After another 75 m pass the helipad (45 m on your left).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Cotterjills Lookout, named after Jack Cotterill. About 10 minutes out & back. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 80 m (from the Kings Canyon Rim Walk) continue straight, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
After another 210 m head down the wooden steps (about 25 m long)
After another 35 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
After another 10 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
After another 15 m head up the wooden steps (about 10 m long)
After another 40 m (from the Kings Canyon Rim Walk) turn right, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you to the Garden of Eden and Kings Canyon Waterhole. Swimming is prohibited as this is a sacred site. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 4 m (from the Kings Canyon Rim Walk) turn left, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
Then cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
Then head up the wooden steps (about 20 m long)
After another 15 m pass the "Emergency Radio 3" (4 m on your left).
After another 30 m pass the helipad (45 m on your left).
From the Kings Canyon Rim Walk continue straight, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
After another 350 m cross the bridge (about 2 m long)
After another 360 m come to the viewpoint.
After another 140 m pass the helipad (60 m on your left).
After another 15 m (from the Kings Canyon Rim Walk) continue straight, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
After another 290 m cross the bridge (about 8 m long)
After another 235 m (at the intersection of Kings Canyon Rim Walk & Giles Track) veer right, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
After another 75 m pass the "Emergency Radio 4" (on your left).
After another 820 m (at the intersection of Kings Canyon Rim Walk & Kings Creek) continue straight, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
After another 40 m head through/around the gate.
After another 20 m (from the Kings Canyon Rim Walk) continue straight, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
Continue another 20 m to find from the Kings Canyon Rim Walk at the end.

An optional side trip to Kings Creek foreshore via the Kings Creek Walk. Will add about 15 minutes of walking time to your journey.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Kings Creek Walk & Kings Canyon Rim Walk Start heading along Kings Creek Walk (a walking track).
Find the seat at the start.
After another 125 m (at the intersection of Kings Creek Walk & Kings Creek) continue straight, to head along Kings Creek Walk.
After another 450 m come to a seat.
A viewpoint.
Continue another 0 m to find from the Kings Creek Walk at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 580 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Cotterjills Lookout, named after Jack Cotterill. About 10 minutes out & back.
Turn map Directions & comments
From the Kings Canyon Rim Walk Start (a walking track).
After another 150 m cross the Cotterill's Bridge (about 7 m long)
After another 175 m come to the viewpoint (35 m on your left).
Turn right.
After another 20 m come to "Cotterills Lookout".
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 340 m to the main route.

This optional side trip takes you to the Garden of Eden and Kings Canyon Waterhole. Swimming is prohibited as this is a sacred site.
Turn map Directions & comments
From the Kings Canyon Rim Walk Start (a walking track).
After another 5 m turn right.
After another 210 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
After another 9 m head down the wooden steps (about 4 m long)
After another 35 m head down the wooden steps (about 8 m long)
After another 25 m come to "Garden of Eden".
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 310 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Kings Canyon Rim Walk


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 4.8 km
Time 1 h 45 min to 3 h
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required No experience required (2/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route
Shelter: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.6 km apart with the largest gap of 4.7 km.

Toilet: There is one 145 m from the start.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2 km apart with the largest gap of 4.3 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Shelter
20 m[shelter]
Shelter
120 m[shelter]
Toilet
145 m[toilet]
Seat
520 m + 590 m[seat]
Seat
560 m[seat]
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