Day 21 - 12/04/2011 – Kings Canyon

Day 21 - 12/04/2011 – Kings Canyon

First day of week 3, so much to see and so little time, so we booked into the Kings Canyon Resort for another night, we had a couple of more walks to do and we just couldn’t bring ourselves to leave such a spectacularly beautiful spot after only two nights!! So once again our plans changed and I sent Pete up to the office to book us in for another night!!  We said goodbye to Jim, Allison and Emily this morning as they were heading off to Glen Helen Gorge in the West MacDonald Ranges.  We tentatively agreed to look out for each other at the Alice Springs markets in a week…..

As it was going to be hot today, I’m beginning to think that there is no other way out here, we headed off to walk Kathleen Springs.  This is a 2.6km walk that leads to a delightful spring-fed waterhole.  The walk was interesting as along the way were two separate cattle yards that had information boards that talked about how white men had tried to raise beef cattle in Kings Canyon.  The kids thought this was “crazy” as there just wasn’t enough grass for the cows to eat and it was so rocky and hilly.

We also got to talk to the kids about how the Aboriginal people used the spring to catch food when kangaroos and other animals came to the spring to drink.  On the way back we were treated to the rare sight of a goanna crossing our track!!  The walk was easy and I think we were all grateful!!

After morning tea we headed back to Kings Canyon and completed the Kings Creek Walk.  This was a very easy stroll up the Kings Creek to a lookout point.  Again we were treated to spectacular rock formations and beautiful perfectly laid sandstone.  The kids enjoyed crawling over the dry river bed and exploring up the rock face.  When you got to the lookout you could see a clear waterhole that we could go and sit beside.  Although it was 31 degrees when we left the car for the walk, sitting beside the waterhole it was so cool we were not even tempted to jump in!! The majestic gums had kept the creek bed a really cool temperature!!



We walked at the top of this hill!!



During this walk we could also see where we had walked yesterday and I think we all basked in our own smugness about what we had achieved on the walk yesterday!!

On the way back to the car the kids saw the sign for the Giles Track – this is a 22km 2 day walk – for a moment I think they thought that we were going to attempt this.  I reassured them that the Giles Track was way out of our capabilities but they may choose to come back one day to do it.  From the cries of “no way” and “you’re crazy” I’m not sure I’m raising avid bush walkers, but for this trip they are putting in a great effort!!.

After two late nights and two big days of walking this afternoon was spent relaxing playing board games and swimming!!  I think we have experienced everything Kings Canyon has to offer and we are now ready to head off tomorrow, Kings Canyon has been a magical experience for all of us!!

We also picked up some travel tips from our new neighbours today who are also on the road for 6 months heading in the same direction as us, trusty Camps 6 was out and we have some additional spots to stop along the west coast!!  Gotta love the grey nomads!!!