Kings Canyon Tours from Uluru

Kings Canyon tours from Uluru turn a long outback journey into a single, well-organised day, with ancient sandstone walls as the reward. The canyon is around 440 million years old, and it can be explored on foot along the rim, wandered along the boulder-strewn canyon floor or seen from a helicopter above the George Gill Range. Here's how getting there works, what to expect once you arrive, and how to choose between the road and the air.

Getting from Uluru to Kings Canyon

Kings Canyon sits well away from Yulara, so road tours leave in the dark to make the most of the day. The Kings Canyon Rim Walk tour from Uluru departs Ayers Rock Resort at 4am from April to November and 4.30am from December to March, driving through sandhill country before a breakfast stop at Kings Creek Station.

Guides share commentary on the landscape as you go, and the day returns to the resort around 5pm in the cooler months or 5.30pm in the warmer ones. It's a long day, so plan nothing demanding for the evening.

Walking the rim or the canyon floor

On foot, the canyon can be explored along the rim or across the floor. The rim climb is the headline walk and can take up to three hours, with a moderate level of fitness expected. The canyon floor walk is the easier alternative, winding past boulders, rock formations and native plants and animals.

Sturdy, enclosed walking shoes matter on either route, along with a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Layers help in the cold months, and swimwear is worth packing in summer.

Seeing Kings Canyon from the air

From above, the canyon's sheer red walls, the Domes of the Lost City and the lush Garden of Eden oasis make far more sense. Helicopter flights leave from Kings Canyon Resort with pilot commentary, and they come in a range of lengths. The 8-minute flight is the quickest way to see the canyon, the 15-minute flight is a popular choice that tracks along Kings Creek, and the 30-minute flight follows the cliffs of the George Gill Range and spots the Watarrka Lookout from above.

Flights run seven days a week, generally between 8am and 5pm. Pick-up from the resort is included, and you should be ready a quarter of an hour before your flight.

Choosing between a road tour and a flight

The road tour suits travellers staying at Uluru who want to walk the canyon and don't mind an early start. A flight suits anyone with limited time, mobility concerns or a love of scenic flying, and it departs from Kings Canyon Resort, so it suits anyone already staying there.

Plenty of visitors do both across a longer trip. For the wider picture of sunrise tours, Segway rides and stargazing back at Uluru, see the Uluru tours page.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get from Uluru to Kings Canyon?

Most visitors take a guided day tour from Ayers Rock Resort, which handles the driving and includes breakfast at Kings Creek Station. You can also travel independently by road, or see the canyon on a helicopter flight that departs from Kings Canyon Resort.

How far is Kings Canyon from Uluru?

It's a long outback journey rather than a quick drive. The Kings Canyon Rim Walk tour is a 13-hour day, leaving Ayers Rock Resort at 4am from April to November and returning about 5pm, so plan the whole day around it.

Can you do Kings Canyon as a day trip from Uluru?

Yes, guided day tours run from Ayers Rock Resort and include the rim climb or the easier canyon floor walk, plus breakfast. Departures are at 4am from April to November and 4.30am from December to March.

How fit do you need to be for the Kings Canyon rim walk?

The rim climb can take up to three hours and a moderate level of fitness is expected. The canyon floor walk is an easier option for those who'd rather skip the climb.

Are there weight limits on Kings Canyon helicopter flights?

Tickets are set by passenger weight, with one fare for passengers aged 2 years to 124kg, another for passengers 125kg and above, and infant tickets for ages 0 to 1. Check the details on your chosen flight when you book.

Kings Canyon rewards an early start, whether you choose the rim, the canyon floor or the view from above. Pick the format that suits your fitness and your timing, and the red walls of Watarrka will do the rest.