Kings Canyon Tours & Vacations

All of our Red Centre trips start in Yulara (a resort town on the outskirts of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park) or Alice Springs.

Kings Canyon is located in Watarrka National Park in the Australian Outback. It’s a 3.5-hour drive from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and around five hours from Alice Springs. You can fly to Ayres Rock (Connellan) Airport in Yulara, 20 minutes outside Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. There are regular flights to Yulara from Melbourne, Sydney and Cairns with Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia.

You can also fly direct to Alice Springs – Qantas and Virgin operate multiple weekly flights from most major cities in Australia.

Kings Canyon is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is generally during the cooler months between late spring and early fall (May–September).

The days are warm and sunny, but not hot enough that you'll melt in the sun.

Summer in the Northern Territory can be stiflingly hot. Still, it's doable if you're prepared with suitable clothing and set off early in the morning to beat the midday heat.

You'll be doing a fair bit of walking, so bring a comfy pair of hiking boots or runners with a good sole grip.

In terms of what to wear, bring hiking pants, leggings or shorts, t-shirts and a long-sleeved shirt to prevent sunburn and pesky insect bites. It can get cold at night, particularly in winter, so you'll also need a warm fleece and a jacket.

Lastly, bring a reusable water bottle, a small day bag and a sun hat to cover your head and neck.

Cell phone and data signal in Kings Canyon resort is pretty good, although some network providers tend to be better than others.

Expect the signal to be patchy or completely cut off on the outback roads and within Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon).

You can usually pick up a few bars of signal at the roadhouses if you need to send a message or make a call.

Yes, drinking tap water is safe throughout the Red Centre.

Ensure you bring a 1-2 liter reusable water bottle to refill at the water station in the Kings Canyon car park.

Staying hydrated is important as the outback sun is intense and you'll be doing many outdoor activities.

The Luritja and Arrente people are the traditional owners of Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon).

As one of the world's oldest living cultures, they have lived on Watarrka for over 20,000 years and are deeply connected to the land and waters.

It depends on the trip style you choose. Our basic and original trips feature simple (but comfy) camping accommodation in permanent or semi-permanent tents with stretcher beds, shared facilities, or a mixture of camping and budget hotels.

If you choose a comfort or premium trip, you'll stay in 3-to-4-star hotels and resorts with private amenities.

The Red Centre covers a huge, very remote area of Central Australia. We'll spend many hours driving from A to B in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Make sure you bring ample snacks and maybe a few podcasts to listen to – or use it as an opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers! 

With a comfortable, air-conditioned bus, sit back and enjoy the unique desert landscapes that you'd miss in any other form of travel.

You can use a credit or debit card for purchases in most roadhouses and at Kings Canyon Resort. But it's always handy to have cash for smaller purchases.

You can withdraw cash at several ATMs in Alice Springs or the Town Square at Ayres Rock Resort in Yulara. Most highway roadhouses will also have an ATM or the option to get cashback. 

We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.

Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customized trip just for you.