10 July - Kathleen Springs and Kings Canyon Creek

10 July 2016 – 178 124

Kathleen Springs and Kings Canyon Creek

It rained a large part of the night and on waking it did not appear that we were camped in the desert, but rather a wetland.  Once the rain eased we packed up and headed towards Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon). 
https://nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves/find-a-park-to-visit/watarrka-national-park 

We stopped to do the Kathleen Springs Walk (1.5 hours, 2.6km), this area is a permanent water hole at the end of a gorge.  The aboriginals used to hunt the animals as they left the end of the gorge and then more recently it was used as a natural mustering point for cattle.  The walls are quite high and steep so no avenue of escape is available if the gorge opening is blocked.  From here we continued on to Kings Canyon Resort, where we are camping the night.  https://www.kingscanyonresort.com.au/
This afternoon we did the Kings Creek Walk (1 hour, 2km).  This walks along the base of the canyon where the creek flows, there are beautiful ghost gums, large chunks of rock that have fallen in from the canyon walls which clearly show the sedimentary nature of the rock.  Nice hot showers tonight to clean off all the dust from yesterday’s dust storm.  Sunset on the canyon walls was beautiful although only briefly lit up again due to cloud.  The resort sets up a bar at the sunset viewing area – you can get a Coke for only $5! or a beer for $10.50.  Mum

The climb to the rim of Kings Canyon