Kings Canyon ~ July 2004
The road into Kings Canyon is quite rough and windy. There is one particular bend that has claimed many lives over the years. So the aboriginals had an ingenious yet very simple idea.
Fifty metres before the bend is a big drum.
And there's another afterwards. It seems to work perfectly. Now, instead of speeding past, people slow down, stop, take pictures and even sign the melons on the drums (see photo above).
Kings Canyon is the major tourist attraction in Watarrka NP, NT. We followed a track around and into the canyon.
A hairy slug
The walk ascends 100m to the rim of the canyon (gorge really).
Tom on top.
James on top
On the edge
Large chunks of rock have fallen off leaving these colourful striations
The canyon opens out into the gorge
An overhang
Surprisingly, at the end of the canyon there was a nice pool. It was actually quite chilly!
I very quickly made it to the other side!
The gorge from the other side
The narrower canyon section continues for quite a distance. Unfortunately we didn't have time to explore it.
Kings Canyon. The pool leads to a small waterfall (right of centre), which you can get to with some slippery scrambling.
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Page last updated 07/01/2006
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