Best time to visit Kings Canyon & Watarrka National Park

Visiting the canyon can be done year-round

Similar to Uluru, Kings Canyon is in a semi-arid desert climate zone. Although it's a year-round destination, the best time to visit is generally during the cooler months between late spring to autumn (May to September). During these seasons, days are warm but not sweltering with average temps of 15°C to 31°C.

Summer in the Northern Territory can be stiflingly hot with average temperatures ranging from 21°C to 36°C, but it’s not uncommon for highs to soar above 43°C. Visiting in the summer months (December to February) is doable if you're prepared with suitable clothing and set off early in the morning.

Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring
December to February	March to May	June to August	September to November

When to visit

A group of travellers walk through the bush wearing backpacks in the Red Centre

When to visit for hiking the rim walk

Since the Rim Walk doesn’t have a lot of shade, most travellers find winter the best time to tackle the walk.

Winter temperatures fluctuate, with averages of 6°C to 21°C. However, they can drop to below freezing at night, so you’ll need warm layers for the evenings and early mornings.

A group of people walk over a sandy creek bed surrounded by red cliffs

When to visit to avoid crowds and flies

While it never feels crowded in the Red Centre, winter is the busiest time of year. Autumn and spring are also popular times to visit, but if you plan well, you can visit in summer.

While flies are ever-present in the Outback, they’re particularly annoying in the summer. It’s recommended that visitors wear a head net to keep the flies out of their faces during the summer months (December to February).

A fertile creek bed with water and red rock face

When to visit for plant life

Autumn is an extra scenic time to hit the trails, with daisies and native fuchsia blooming after the summer rains. Spring brings a splash of pink to the rusty-orange landscape with the flowering of wattles, grevilleas and hakeas (corkwood trees).