Uluru and King’s Canyon – Views Fit For A King

Written on Friday, January 20, 2023 by Emma Whiting Travel

Looking out at the expanses of red, dry landscape it was hard to believe we’d departed from Melbourne only 3 hours earlier. Our flight landed and we exited the plane by stairs and the heat hit us like a wall!  Walking into the small airport to collect our hire car was so easy and within 20 minutes of landing we were driving away through long stretches of desert roads. We were headed towards Kings Canyon, around 3 hours away where we were to spend our first night of our 3-night, 4-day getaway. We checked in to our amazing Glamping Zipper Tent at King’s Canyon Resort where a beautiful king bed, sitting area and table and chairs gave you the luxury of space and comfort whilst in the middle of the desert. We already felt so lucky to be here!  

Our sights for the afternoon were set on the Kings Canyon Rim walk so we ventured off in the car for the short 10-minute drive to Kings Canyon National Park. The walk was amazing with changing landscapes and incredible views (sometimes a little too close to the edge of steep cliffs for my liking!) We were lucky enough to have a forecast of rain for our time in the red centre, and around halfway through our walk it started, and it didn’t stop – what a welcome relief from the heat!  

The Garden of Eden is a beautiful hideaway between the high cervices of the canyon where the paradise exists due to water running through it. As the rain began to get heavier and heavier, we thought we should start making our way out, but before we could do so a rumbling sound caught us by surprise, and we looked up to see the waterfall that led into the Garden of Eden begin to rush down the cliff and into the body of water below.  We couldn’t believe we were so lucky to see a waterfall begin!  

The next day we took our time with breakfast and enjoyed the pool at the resort before driving back to Uluru.  We checked into our room at the Voyages Desert Gardens and were pleased to have a large room with great air conditioning, a respite from the summer heat!  

The next morning, we were up early to make our way to the sunrise viewing point at Kata Tjuta, around a 20-minute drive from the resort. After watching the beautiful sunrise, we drove on to the base of Kata Tjuta and walked the 7 km circuit taking us in and out of the unique formations where the colours constantly changed and the views and landscapes made you wonder whether you were on Mars! It was a beautiful walk which I would highly recommend if you have the time, taking around 2 – 3 hours at a comfortable pace. We headed back to the resort for lunch and an afternoon swim and some relaxation time after the hot hike!  

That evening we had the treat of the trip with the Night at the Field of Lights.  We were picked up from the hotel and driven around 5 – 10 minutes by coach into the desert. The coach pulled up and you couldn’t see much but a short, fairly steep walkway set up towards the top of a sand dune. Reaching the top, you were wowed by the incredible view of Uluru in the distance and Kata Tjuta in the far distance in another direction. There was a great platform with some bench seating around the area where you were served bottomless drinks and canapes for around 1 hour, it was such a WOW moment and something I felt special to experience which will never forget!   

After a few sundowners you were guided towards dinner; with white tablecloths, cutlery and staff to welcome you to your sitting.  We had a delicious 3 course meal with fantastic food, even the Italians on our table approved! Drinks were served throughout the dinner service and then we were entertained with an astronomy talk which was really funny and interesting.  Afterwards we walked down to the field of lights which can be viewed from the same platform where we had sunset drinks earlier. We also had an hour or so to wander around the area and look at the various installations, colours and shapes of the unique exhibition which felt extremely surreal.  A coach took the merry group back to the hotel and I think it was safe to say everyone had a fabulous evening!  

Our last (early) morning in Australia’s centre and we hadn’t yet been close to Uluru!  We set off in the car before sunrise and enjoyed a walk around the base of the rock, taking in the changing colours, sacred sites along the way and you got the sense of how huge and special this area was. 

On the way back to the hotel for a quick breakfast before we headed to the airport for our flight back to Melbourne, we felt so lucky to have visited such a unique and amazing area, we couldn’t believe that this was ‘in our own backyard’ and that we hadn’t travelled here sooner! 

Our 4 days away felt like a varied and unique break and we both left with such respect and appreciation for our beautiful country, hoping to one day return to explore further into the amazing landscapes. 

 

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