Alice Springs Travel Forum

I wish to ask about the top of the Canyon walk at Kings Canyon. I understand this needs to be done in the morning. How long does this walk take? How difficult is it? I've read that you need to be fit, but how fit? Not a problem for me, but I am taking my mother, and she's about 68. I think she should be fine, but then again, I don't know what I am getting her into and I don't want her to get in trouble. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.

Also, how long is the drive from: ( using sealed roads )
Alice Springs to Kings Canyon?
Kings Canyon to Uluru?
Uluru to Alice Springs?

Last, any recommendations or suggestions for what not to miss while visiting Uluru area? What are the "must do" things here?

Thank you, Steve

As I remember, it is especially the first part of the walk that will be a problem. It is quite steep, uphill, with lots of bigger rocks to step on, almost a climb at times. Not dangerous, but yes, you have to be fit. We had two elderly persons in our group going back after 10 minutes or so, because they could see they would not make it - or not in an appropriate time. The rest of the walk is quite flat, around the rim. In the end it goes down again, but nott as steep as in the beginning.
Inclusive stops it takes about 4 hours.
there is an alternative:
The 'Kings Creek Walk' is shorter and easier. It follows the Creek and goes up to a Look-Out at the Kings Creek.
Its 1.5km long and it takes about 1 hour.

You can find my tips about the area there:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/72173/1cb166/4/

Alice Springs - Kings Canyon: 475 km's
Kings canyon - Uluru: 300 km's
Uluru - Alice Springs: 445 km's

(using the unsealed Mereenie Loop Road it would be about 350 km's from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon)

What time does the Kings Canyon Walk begin? I understand it depends upon sunrise. Do the tours depart before/after sunrise? Thanks.

Can not tell you exactly, but we did it rather early in the morning (8.30 am), because it was 'only' 35 degrees C. !! We did the walk to the rim on our own without a guided tour.

You may find more info on this website:
http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/find/watarrka.html

I think we started even earlier, which was no problem, because we spend the night on a camping place nearby. We did it as part of our own tour to Uluru and surroundings. I think you would be able to do it without a guide, especially if you can get hold of a plan or something in a tourist center?

It is only recommended to make the walk in the morning because it gets too hot later in the day. You can start whenever you want, the earlier the better.

When we were visiting the Uluru area, we refrained from climbing Uluru out of respect for the wishes of the Aboriginal People. Instead, we took an Aboriginal Guided Tour, during which we learned about the Aboriginal Peoples and how they live(d) and survive(d) in such a stark landscape. It was very interesting ~ a worthwhile venture whether you decide to climb Uluru or not.

We also did a sunset desert tour on the back of a camel! (Who knew there were camels in Australia???) That was quite fun, too! Just Google Uluru camel tours and you'll find companies to accommodate.

Hope this helps!
Suzi

G'day
The top of the Canyon walk is a good one to do. It isn't a hard walk at all. The bad part of the walk is looking at the steps at the start of the walk. I took one look and was going to run!!!:) BUT it isn't that bad, you just take your time going up the steps, you don't have to do it in a two minute dash:)
Once you are at the top of the stairs and do the walk you are very glad you didn't run away!

You can do this walk at liesure, you can take as much time as you have, they have signs to tell you about what you are looking at etc. We didn't do a tour.
We did the walk early in the morning, about 7am start as it gets hot later in the day.

Uluru area has a couple of things I wouldn't miss. I wouldn't miss the Culture Centre near the Rock. This is great to browse through. Also a free walk that the National Parks do is also great, really great. The blackfella's and whitefella's work together in this Park, either one are very good at doing this tour. At the base area of the Rock ( where some climb) there is a sign and meeting point where this walk begins. I think it's around 10am in the morning, check with National Parks, the walk/tour takes around 2 hours, you aren't walking all this time, it's easy going. I thought this was fantastic and very interesting.
I always recommend the *Sound of Silence Dinner* which is held at sunset. This can be booked at the resort area when you arrive. I think it's wonderful experience.
There also is the Olga's , great rock formation which is about 35 minutes from the Rock, there are a couple of lovely walks in the rocks there. Easy walks and hard walks, but your Mum would do the easy one without any worries.
If you have a budget that would stretch to a sunrise flight over the Rock, that is so much fun. Also if your budget allows the helicopter flight over Kings Canyon is pretty damn good as well.

When you are at the resort area in Uluru Village, you are allowed to wander around other accommodation areas. I enjoyed looking at the Sails resort, they had a very good selection of aboriginal things in there foyer, some for sale.

The drive you intend to do is a very easy drive, each day's drive won't wear you out. Allow about an hour and half per 100k's, then add extra on for stops.