Kings Canyon National Park Tours

Kings Canyon National Park is officially called the Watarka National Park

It lies at the North Western end of a Sandstone range of hills called the George Gill Range, the park incorporates the spectacular Kings Canyon, featuring red sandstone cliffs over 100 meters high.

Above the Canyon, and elsewhere in the ranges, dome shaped formations occur, formed by the erosion of joint bound sandstone into "giant beehives". Narrow gorges maintain permanent water-holes at sites such as Kings Canyon, Lilla, Kathleen springs, Stokes Creek, and Bagot Springs.

The area is an overlap for three major biogeographical regions, and the diversity of flora and fauna is correspondingly high.

A large number of plant species are either rare, relict, or of unusual distribution, and many of these are associated with the permanent waterholes found throughout the range. Examples of species with relictual distribution are: Cyclosorus INTERRUPTUS, a large fern found here and in tropical areas; OTTELIA OVALIFOLIA (swamp lily), and POLYGONUM SALICIFOLIUM (a water plant), both occurring only here in Central Australia, or in Coastal regions. Other species of interest are PSILOTUM NUDUM (skeleton fork fern), a 'living fossil' found in the fossil record from over 300 million years ago; and two species endemic to the range - HYDROCOTYLE LARAPINTA (a herb), and Ampeara SPICATA (a small shrub).

The area supports fifteen native mammal species, over 100 species of birds, and over 50 species of reptiles. In a study on the aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna, several species were found to represent relict populations, in addition to some new species being recorded. The park is increasing in popularity to tourists.

The nomination encompasses two areas outside the boundary of Watarrka National Park. These are: the Vale of Tempe to the north west, and a continuation of the range to the east of Bagot Springs as far as Tricketts Bluff. The Vale of Tempe was named by the Explorer Giles, who also collected plants from the area. Small mammals once common in the area, such as the bilbly, stick-nest rat, mala and spectacled Hare Wallaby have become locally extinct in recent times. There is presently an ongoing program aimed at reestablshing a viable population of the endangered Bilby (MACROTIS LAGOTIS), in the western portion of the park. There is potential for the establishment of other rare species within the range. The area is a major tourist destination.

Significant Indigenous values are known to exist in this area. The Commission is currently consulting with relevant Indigenous communities about the amount of information to be placed on public record.

Source: Australian Heritage Database

You may also be interested in Kings Canyon Kings Canyon National Park Tours

For more information on both Kings Canyon tours, please go to 3 Day Kings Canyon Tour or 5 Day Kings Canyon Tour.

Ayers Rock Adventure Tours for Backpackers & Active People, Includes Kings Canyon

3 Day 4WD Ayers Rock Tour, Includes Kings Canyon. $480 YHA/VIP Plus $55 Local Fee.

5 Day 4WD Ayers Rock Tour, Includes Kings Canyon. $720 YHA/VIP Plus $135 Local Fee

10 Day 4WD Outback Tour, Includes Kings Canyon. $1470 YHA/VIP Plus $120 Local.