Kings Canyon Rim Walk

Is the Kings Canyon Rim Walk hard?

Yes, at the start. The NT Government grades it Grade 4, moderate to difficult, and says it is only for fit and healthy walkers.

The loop begins with a steep climb from the car park to the top of the canyon. Once you are up, the track follows the rim and later descends to the car park. Under the Australian Walking Track Grading System, which the NT Government uses, Grade 4 means bushwalking experience is recommended and tracks may be long, rough and very steep.

The other walks at Kings Canyon are graded lower. If you are unsure about your fitness, the table below is the quickest way to pick one. All figures are the NT Government's.

How long is the Kings Canyon Rim Walk and which way does it go?

It is a 6 km loop that takes 3 to 4 hours, and you must walk it clockwise. Blue arrows mark the way.

Walking clockwise is the rule, not a suggestion. From the car park you climb to the top, follow the rim of the gorge, and reach the Garden of Eden about halfway round. From there the track carries on along the rim before it comes back down to the car park.

Plan for the full 3 hours at least. The views slow everyone down, and the side trip into the Garden of Eden takes time too. The NT Government suggests downloading the free Avenza Maps park map while you still have reception; it works offline with GPS.

A coach day from Ayers Rock Resort with a cooked breakfast on the way, then the Rim Walk with a guide or an easier walk on the canyon floor. The NT Parks Pass is extra, about A$10 online per the listing.

★ 4.7 · 12 hours · from $242

Explore the Kings Canyon day tour from Ayers Rock Resort → Tour details

What is the 9am rule on the Rim Walk?

On days forecast at 36°C (97°F) or above, the Rim Walk must be started before 9am. After 9am, nobody may start it.

It is the rule that decides your start time. On days when the forecast is 36°C (97°F) or above, the NT Government says the Rim Walk must be started before 9am, and nobody may start it after 9am. The same 36°C trigger applies to the South Wall Return, which must be started before 11am, and to the Giles Track, whose Kings Canyon end closes at 11am.

The NT Government's wider heat advice goes further than the rule. In summer, it says, temperatures often pass 30°C (86°F) by 9am, and it suggests postponing a walk altogether above 32°C (90°F). For the hotter months, September to April, it recommends shorter walks in the middle of the day. A heat management strategy also limits park access in the hottest months, which the NT Government gives as September to March.

The practical answer is simple: start early every time, whatever the forecast. A dawn start also gives you the softest light on the walls. Month-by-month conditions are in our best time to visit guide.

Can you swim in the Garden of Eden?

No. The NT Government says swimming is not permitted at the Garden of Eden, a rockhole surrounded by rare plants about halfway along the Rim Walk.

The Garden of Eden is the green heart of the walk, and the South Wall Return does not reach it. The 2024 National Heritage listing for Watarrka mentions permanent surface water sustained by local aquifers and more than 690 native plant species, and the NT Government says the park's sheltered creek environments protect plants such as the MacDonnell Ranges Cycad.

Look, but stay out of the water. The same rule applies at Kathleen Springs, which the NT Government says has special significance for local Aboriginal people. Watarrka is Luritja country, and the park is jointly managed with its Traditional Owners.

On the day tour from Ayers Rock Resort, the listing says the descent into the Garden of Eden happens if time allows, so treat it as a bonus, not a fixed stop.

What should I wear and carry on the Rim Walk?

Sturdy closed shoes, a hat, SPF 50+ sunscreen and plenty of water: the NT Government suggests at least 1 litre per hour outside.

• Water: the NT Government says water may not be supplied on walks. There is drinking water at the Kings Canyon trailhead, so fill up before the climb.
• Shoes: real walking shoes with grip. The day tour's listing says you won't be permitted on the Rim Walk in heels, sandals, flip-flops or open-toe shoes.
• Sun: a hat, SPF 50+ and suitable clothing. Skip alcohol and caffeine beforehand, as the NT Government advises.
• Insects: repellent, and a head net. Parks Australia advises Red Centre walkers at nearby Uluru-Kata Tjuta to pack one against flies.
• Phone: charged, with the offline park map. Coverage is patchy in the outback.

Two rules matter on the rim itself: stay at least 2 m back from cliff edges and never throw rocks over them. If anyone shows signs of heatstroke, call 000.

Is there an easier walk at Kings Canyon?

Yes. The Kings Creek Walk is a 2.6 km return, Grade 2 walk that takes about an hour and suits families.

It follows red markers. Sturdy shoes are still required. The South Wall Return sits in between: 4.8 km, about 2 hours, Grade 3, with a steep start of its own. It ends at a one-way gate and does not reach the Garden of Eden.

Kathleen Springs is the gentlest of all, a sealed 2.4 km return, Grade 1 and wheelchair accessible, 21 km (13 miles) by road from Kings Canyon. Signs along the way cover Aboriginal culture and the cattle industry.

On the coach day from Ayers Rock Resort you choose between the Rim Walk and the easier walk on the boulder-strewn canyon floor. Guests like that choice: "We really appreciated how clearly the team explained the two different hiking options, helping us choose the one best suited to our abilities" (Diana, Sep 2026).

Do you need a pass for the Kings Canyon Rim Walk?

Yes. Visitors need an NT Parks Visitor Pass for Watarrka National Park, from A$10 per adult for one day (2026), bought online before you go.

The NT Government sells the pass only online, through its parks booking system, and it covers all NT Government parks for its dates. It does not cover Uluru-Kata Tjuta, which needs a separate Parks Australia ticket. NT residents don't need one but may be asked for proof such as an NT driver licence. Concession rates apply to Australian Government Seniors Card, Pensioner Concession Card and DVA Card holders. More detail is in our NT Parks Pass post.

Three days with a local guide: Uluru, Kata Tjuta and the Rim Walk, swags under the stars, all meals, and the Watarrka and Uluru-Kata Tjuta park fees included per the listing.

★ 4.8 · 3 days · from $557

Explore the 3-day Uluru and Kings Canyon camping tour → Tour details

Should you do the Rim Walk on your own or with a tour?

Both work. With your own car you set the start time; on a tour a guide paces the climb and handles the logistics from Ayers Rock Resort.

Tourism NT says there are no taxis or shuttle buses at Kings Canyon, so the choice is really between driving yourself and joining a tour. Driving gives you a sunrise start from a bed near the canyon. A tour saves you two long drives and adds a guide, which counts for a lot on a Grade 4 walk in the heat.

The Kings Canyon day tour is a 12-hour coach day for up to 40 people, picking up at Ayers Rock Resort hotels. The listing includes a cooked breakfast at Kings Creek Station, the Rim Walk or a less strenuous walk, and commentary from a guide and driver; lunch is at your own expense. Kings Creek Station says it is closed from 1 November 2026 and reopens on 1 March 2027, so for tour dates in that window, check the breakfast stop with the operator. Guests are honest about the length: "be prepared for an early start and a massive day" (Sharon, Sep 2026). Another summed it up as "Huge day, up early and worth it" (Belinda, Sep 2026).

With more time, the Rim Walk is part of the Red Centre loops on this site, such as the 3-day camping tour. Routes and distances are in our guide to getting there from Uluru and Alice Springs.

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