King's Canyon

About three hundred kilometers away from Uluru is King's Canyon in Watarrka National Park, and was the next stop on our trip. Mom took her first turn at the wheel for part of this trip, as we both felt she shouldn't miss an opportunity to drive on the left side.

We reached the canyon in early afternoon, giving time for the walk at the bottom before I headed up to the rim walk. The walk around the rim is one of the most amazing 3 hour walks I've ever been on. The beginning looks like Gollum's little shortcut into Mordor, but soon the view of the canyon from the rim are on full display.

Further along the trail meanders among "bee-hive" formations where the layers of rock have eroded into a maze.

After crossing to the other side, a brief side path takes the hiker down into the Garden of Eden--a continuous water supply that contains plants from 60 million ago.

Once on the other side, you could see where occasionally the rock would split and crash to the canyon floor below.

All together, this was a fabulous hike, and a great way to see the Park. After viewing the sunset (which sadly, wasn't as spectacular as down at Uluru and Kata Tjuta) we headed back to the resort. Dinner was a Bush pizza (croc and kangaroo meat) and another Bush show. There were two performers, and what they lacked in technique they made for with props and audience participation. In fact, Mom got to do the little dance to "Home among the gum trees", along with five other audience "volunteers". Good times!