Kings Canyon Tours & Vacations

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

Most of our Kings Canyon tours start in Alice Springs or Yulara. Yulara Airport (Ayers Rock/Connellan Airport) operates flights to/from Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Alice Springs and several other cities in Australia. However, you might find it easier to fly into Alice Springs Airport as there are more flights. 

If you’re travelling by car, you can drive to Alice Springs via the Stuart Highway which runs from Darwin in the Northern Territory and Port Augusta in South Australia. You can then turn onto the Red Centre Way loop that connects Alice Springs with Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges, Watarrka/Kings Canyon and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Greyhound also operates a bus to Alice Springs from Adelaide if you don't fancy driving. The journey takes around 20 hours and stops at Port Augusta, Coober Pedy and several other iconic spots along the way. However, flying might be a better option if you don't have much time.

Learn more about how to get to Kings Canyon

The climate in Kings Canyon is semi-arid with hot summers and mild winters. Although the days are warm and sunny throughout the year, the temperature variation differs considerably between night and day, particularly in winter when the temperature can drop to just above zero at night. Rainfall is very low throughout the year compared to other parts of the Northern Territory with an average of just 3.9 mm of rain in January (the wettest month).

Find out the best time to visit Kings Canyon

A Kings Canyon tour usually involves a fair bit of walking, so make sure you bring a comfy pair of walking boots or runners. You’ll also need long pants or leggings, shorts, t-shirts and a couple of long-sleeved shirts (long sleeves can help prevent sunburn and pesky insect bites). It’s sunny all year round, so a wide sun hat (ideally that covers the head and neck), sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm with SPF are essential. It can get cold at night, particularly in the winter, so you’ll need a warm fleece, a jacket and a woolly hat. Lastly, don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle and a small day bag to carry your essentials.   

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid