Watarrka National Park

After our overnight stay at Erldunda, we once again left poor old Tuf Cat in dry dock and headed west towards  Watarrka National Park.  In the old days it was been plain old Kings Canyons!  Team Turtle has nothing against National Parks - just the way a lot of them have evolved politically especially here in the Northern Territory.

We set up camp for the night at a lovely little spot about 100 klms from Kings Canyon.  The Captain has become quite adept at building some lovely campfires over the last few months and this night was no exception.

All we need now is some tucker!

The Deckie has also been practicing her skills with camp oven cooking and between us we managed to put together a very nice fruit damper for dessert.

Our pre-dinner entertainment was the visit from some locals for nibblies.  Unfortunately, they were a little bit shy particularly when all of the backpackers from the camp got a little bit close.

Camels at Sunset!

Up bright and early on Sunday morning as we completed the last bit into Kings Canyon.  Booked into the one and only Caravan Park (no free camp spots here) and then headed into the Canyon itself.  There had been a lot of discussion about which walk to do - the gentle one hour walk of Kings Creek or punish our bodies and do the six klm, 3-4 hour Rim Walk.  The Canyon Rim Walk won!!!

The initial climb was 100 metres and very steep - but it was so worthwhile!  The views were fantastic and after that the actual walk was quite easy - although, sometimes, it was a little rough underfoot.  One thing that we have found about up here is that there don't have any guard rails or fences at any lookout/cliff walk - just some signs.  It is up to oneself to take care of yourself - not a third party.

The Way Up!!

Looking Up The Canyon

The upper layers of sandstone in the surrounding cliffs used to be sand dunes.  Over the millions of years they have solidified and then eroded to form some amazing landscapes.  And, after two, previous aborted attempts at finding some Lost Cities we finally found one!!  This one does not have the height in the domes of the other two 'cities', but they are still fairly awesome.

Lots of Little "Buildings"

One Big Building

Standing On Top Of The World

Amongst all of these domes, there are remnants of an ancient sea bed where the water ripple marks had been fossilised and then the sediment on top of them was eroded away.

Ripples In An Ancient Sea

Resting Amongst The Domes and In The Sea

Next stop was for lunch at 'The Garden of Eden".  The waterhole is at the junction of two creeks and even at this time of the year still had some water in it, although it was a bit icy to be swimming in.

Kings Creek

The Beginning of Kings Canyon

After lunch, we trekked back up the mountainside and started the walk on the eastern side of the Rim.  Not as many domes on this side, but the view into the Canyon itself was fairly dramatic.  Fortunately, we were both able to overcome our "jelly legs" and get close enough to the edge to get some nice pics!

The Western Rim and Cliff Face

Across the Canyon to the Eastern Cliff Face

The Head of Kings Canyon

After another couple of klms of walking we eventually made it back to The Turtle - absolutely exhausted but very pleased with ourselves.

The Walk Back Down The Mountain

The Carpark Is In View