This morning we got up early-ish and headed to the restaurant for buffet breakfast which is included with our accommodation. “A” stuck with her 2 weetbix as she didn’t like the thought of a 6km hike on a full stomach but the boys all tucked into full breakfasts.

We met Gramps at the Kings Canyon carpark which is about 10km from the resort just after 8:30am. You’d never guess who we were behind going down the road to the canyon – yep, the Britz guy again, this time we took a video of his driving, just take a look!

Safely in the carpark we met Gramps and embarked on the Kings Canyon Rim walk. Looking at the start of the walk was daunting enough!! It is a Grade 4 walk which starts with a very steep climb up the rock steps. So steep that you actually aren’t allowed to return this way so once you’re at the top you are committed to a minimum 6km hike! It took a few stops on the way up but we eventually made it.

The view from the top is pretty cool but it just got better and better as we made our way around the rim. The cliff face is soooo sheer. The walk itself, once at the top, isn’t too bad. There is quite a lot of up and down rocks as you make your way around and it’s reassuring to see several defibs and helicopter extraction points dotted around the walk 😀

There are incredible views around the whole rim of the canyon however there are two marked extra points on the walk which add around another 1.5km to the walk. The first is Cotterill’s Lookout which does include a little metal bridge over quite a deep “crack” in the rocks. It’s a great spot to look back across the canyon from probably one of the narrowest points to the widest. We did have to backtrack a little bit to this lookout as the signage wasn’t overly clear and we didn’t make it to the lookout initially, only realising after we’d been around a bend didn’t end up where we thought we would!

Back on track and we went down a huge set of wooden stairs into a bit of a gorge and it was awesome to see the water and lush, green flora. Across a bridge and you guessed it, a huge set of wooden stairs to get back up! But first, we ventured down into the Garden of Eden, further down into the depths of the canyon. A magical spot with a waterhole and shade which offered a nice spot for a bit of respite and food. Back up the rocks and stairs out of the Garden of Eden then up the steep set of stairs to get back to the rim of the canyon.

The remainder of the walk was pretty good. Although it is rocky and a bit up and down, it is certainly easier than the steep sections and the descent back to the carpark is much gentler. We were really lucky as the weather was perfect today, with gentle clouds shielding us from the bite of the sun for most of the day and a temperature of about 25 degrees. Around 7.5kms and 3hrs later we were all happy to be back at the base and into the car!

We returned to the resort and got a bit to eat before heading back to the room for a restful afternoon. The boys enjoyed a spa together before it was “G” and “A’s” turn. Boy did our legs appreciate it!! After relaxing in the spa, “G” had a sleep, the boys had a bit of free time and “A” headed to the reception block to do a bit of work – the only place in the resort with any telephone or internet service!!!

At 5:15pm, we once again hit the sunset deck to listen to music and have a little happy hour. This time we left just before the music wrapped up so that we could get in ahead of the crowd at the pub. The friendly dingo did return however before we left. The weather was so nice that we sat outside and enjoyed a meal before calling it quits for the night.