After an exhilarating visit to Uluru, I was not sure what to expect from Kings Canyon, except that everyone says it’s a must-see experience. I was too busy before our trip to do any reading and took it at face value when people said its worth visiting.

Driving from Uluru to Kings Canyon via the Lasseter Hwy and Luritija Rd it is about a 4hr journey with a van (324.2km) – it is known as The Red Centre way. It is a beautiful drive, twisty and winding full of red dirt and some spring flowers. We saw the salt lakes and Kathleen Springs but did not stop for the walks.

By now we are used to travelling between towns without any internet service, it seems to go with the territory. Ian only wanted one night at Kings Canyon, and I wanted two…… as I do the bookings, it was two nights. We got there about mid-afternoon, which also helped my decision for two nights. We had met several people we had seen at Uluru, which was nice. Kings Canyon was also known for being a Dingo area, I really wanted to see some wild Dingo’s.

Again, the booking was expensive $90p/n for two of us. The National Parks Pass was cheaper, it was only $20 per day for 2 and we only wanted the one day. Same rules applied about having passes on your car and alcohol restrictions when buy liquor. We had a great view of the Canyon and saw a spectacular sunset – next morning I had decided that I would do the walk – now which walk was the question.

The Kings Creek Walk was 2.6km suitable for wheelchairs – it has a gentle slope of the track that meanders up Kings Creek.

The Kings Canyon Rim Walk – 6km loop, which can take up to 4hrs, they say this walk is suitable for fit walkers. As i examined both walks, I was torn between the two walks – and then decided to throw caution to the wind and do the 6km loop walk. Everyone I had spoken to had said, once you get past the first 30mins then it is easier – so, I kept this in mind – I took one walking stick with me, in retrospect I should have taken both with me – I also had 2litres of water a bag of gummy bears, mints and insect replant in my backpack. Ian kissed me goodbye and was going to do the washing and pick me up later.

I started the walk, there were lots of people around, young & old, families, kids usually walking together, very friendly, people said hi, everyone had an air of enthusiasm about them. As I walked towards the hill, I thought ok doesn’t look too bad – I can do this. Then I started, one foot in front of the other, I was excited and worried simultaneously. The first 35 mins was by far the hardest, it was a steep incline of natural steps, some hard to navigate, the walking stick helped, when I was tired, I just stopped and let people pass me. This older man came past me and said, “look my wife is older than you and I think she will pass you”, I just smiled. The wife came past, “I said you are doing great, she replied, “yes I have two knee replacements if my surgeon could see me know.” Again, I just smiled and said, great work – I followed shortly after. When I reached the first summit, I thought wow done it, only to look up and see another hill, that first 35 mins was tuff, but if done slowly can be done – I did it.

I won’t go into too much detail about the walk, except to say that I had a most spiritual experience and when things got tuff which they did, I felt that Scott was with me egging me on and Faye was in my head keeping me focused. I was intent on not falling. It was the most exhilarating walk I have ever done – the views from the rim were just unbelievable, so spectacular – the pictures just do not do justice to the beauty. My favourite was the garden of Eden and the view from the top. I was exhausted, I had finished my water, and a kind family had some spare and gave me a bottle, I was thankful – I was even too tired to chew my gummy bears…. now that is a first.

On the way back at one point I thought I got lost, but no I was on the right track – there was a couple behind me, and they kept arguing – the man was trying to help his wife and she would not have it…. I was pleased to get out of range of them…… a family with three young children ran past me and the little boy said, “did you know there was 556 steps when we started, I counted them”, he was full of energy… yes, I felt every one of those 556 steps.

There were three memorials up there for a 14y, 22yrs, and 27yrs who died on the rim. The downwards steps were not as difficult as the ones going up, however still hard to navigate at times – I was absolutely thrilled when I could see the car park – it still took me some time to get down, but the end was in sight.

People were very encouraging along the way, I met two women who were scared of hights, but still managed the climb with support.

I was so happy when I finished – I took two panadol as I was getting a headache and I went looking for Ian – who was by now wondering where I was – I saw him reading the signs – I walked towards him and a big smile came on his face – he said “i was worried, I couldn’t see you coming, I was looking for someone to call if you didn’t come down”. Bless him. There were three first aid posts up on the rim where you could call for help if needed – and people can also raise the alarm – no there was intermittent internet access – I think I managed to post one picture to Facebook from the top – I was surprised.

I was very proud of me for doing the walk – I had decided that I would go for a swim on my return to the camp to ease my aching muscles. The water of the pool was icy cold, I mean icy cold, real ice cold! it took my breath away, I managed to stay in for half an hour – the next day I was not aching at all – I put it down to the icy cold water.

On the way back, I received a text message from the resort to say there was a special dinner moonside would I like to book, I thought I would treat Ian – however when I asked how much, it was $250per person – guess that was a “no” to dinner – instead we had dinner at the pub, it was equally romantic. We returned from dinner thinking we would have an early night as I was tired. I was talking on the phone by the door – when I opened the door to put some rubbish out, I was greeted by a Dingo – yes! a dingo – we both looked at each other and were equally afraid with that the dingo ran way – I was busy calling Ian – “there’s a dingo” by the time he came it was gone – sometimes you just don’t have time to get a picture, you have to rely on your own memory. So, no picture of my dingo, I saw three dingoes, they are so shy didn’t get a photo.

On to the next stop Alice Springs & Tennant Creek