Hiking in Kings Canyon
The Giles Track is a 22km track that runs through Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park, about 300km from the iconic Uluru.
The Giles Track is a two-day hike, though it can be hiked in shorter sections for those who don’t wish to carry in their camping supplies. The Giles Track was named for Ernest Giles, one of the first Europeans to explore the George Gill Range that runs through Watarrka National Park. The track itself runs along the southern rim of the range, from the superb Kings Canyon to Kathleen Springs, or vice versa.
Hiking the Giles Track gives visitors to the Red Centre an up close and personal insight into the amazing landscapes and ecosystems of Australia’s deserts. The track follows valleys, goes past unique sandstone formations, and crosses plenty of watercourses, giving visitors a chance to experience nature touched by few others. As this is a relatively untrafficked area, there’s plenty of wildlife hanging around. Spinifex pigeons, euros, pythons, goannas, rock wallabies and more live along the track, and are often seen by hikers.
It’s strongly recommended that hikers attempt the Giles Track in winter: that’s May through September in Australia. In summer, the temperatures soar about 40 degrees Celsius, and conditions become unsafe for this remote region. Due to the desert landscape, hikers need to ensure they carry all their supplies with them – there aren’t any places to refill your water bottle along the track. A minimum of six litres is recommended for the hot, dry climate. In addition, hikers will want to ensure they wear a wide-brimmed hat and plenty of sunshine. Despite the daytime heat, temperatures can drop below freezing at night, so ensure you also carry warm clothes in order to be fully prepared.