Kings Canyon helicopter tours: Watarrka National Park scenic flights
Yes, it is possible to take a scenic flight over Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory’s Red Centre. Professional Helicopter Services offers three Kings Canyon helicopter tours over the Watarrka National Park and George Gill Range.
Uluru, the big red rock in the middle of the outback, tends to hog all the limelight in Australia’s Red Centre. But it is by no means the only attraction in the vast Northern Territory deserts. Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park deserves a look, too.
The essential Kings Canyon checklist
- Book your transfer to Uluru (or from Uluru).
- Or fix up your bus to Alice Springs.
- Book your accommodation at Discovery Parks – Kings Canyon or Kings Creek Station.
- Reserve your place on the guided Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
- Consider doing the easier canyon floor walk with a guide.
- Maybe add the Karrke Aboriginal cultural experience to your trip.
Plenty of Red Centre visitors will take the side-trip to Kata-Tjuta from the Ayers Rock Resort near Uluru. But Kings Canyon, the third of the classic trio, takes more effort. It is often included in multi-day Red Centre tours, but forgotten about by independent travellers.
Kings Canyon is more representative of the true Northern Territory than the showy, grandstanding red rocks. It’s the most spectacular canyon in the George Gill Range, a huge rumpled block of sandstone.
Kings Canyon helicopter tours over Watarrka National Park
To get the best overall picture of this stark, scarred and jutting landscape, take a scenic flight over Kings Canyon. Professional Helicopter Services runs half hour Kings Canyon helicopter tours over the George Gill Range for from $305.
This Kings Canyon helicopter tour also heads out over Petermann Pound. Here, you can often see wild camels and horses (known as brumbies). The scenic flight them returns along the path of a dry creek, taking in the usually unseen Back Canyon on the way.
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Kings Canyon scenic flights
Professional Helicopter Services also offers shorter scenic flights over Kings Canyon. The eight minute Canyon Dash costs $110, and the 15 minute Kings Canyon scenic flight offers a happy medium. Costing $165, this helicopter tour covers the main highlights of Kings Canyon. It flies over the Domes of the Lost City and the Garden of Eden, before going along Kings Creek and Carmichael Crag.
Pick ups and transfers are available from the Kings Canyon Resort. Alternative accommodation and camping is available nearby at the Kings Creek Station.
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