Starting from the car park at the end of Kings Canyon Access, Petermann, this track takes you to the Kathleen Springs Rest Area via the Giles Track, crossing Kings Creek and Reedy Creek along the way. Make your way along the rim as you go through picturesque valleys and impressive sandstone formations. Expect panoramic views towards all directions, and keep an eye out for rock-wallabies, goannas and spinifex pigeons as well as pythons. The track you’ll be walking on is well-marked with signs every 10 to 100 metres. You may also come across some remains from earlier civilizations like stone blades, grinding stones and stencil art throughout the journey. There is a camping spot near Reedy Creek where you can spend the night and wake up to a beautiful sunrise. Avoid the walk in hot weather to be safe. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Getting started From the car park at the end of Kings Canyon Access (not the diagonal parking lot for bigger vehicles), head towards the brown “Walking Tracks” sign along the paved path. Veer right after you pass by the sheltered seating area (to your right) and head along the sealed dirt track. Head up the man-made rock steps in the distance as you move directly away from the car park. About a kilometre into the journey, turn right at the 3-way intersection to continue along the Giles Track(Kings Canyon to Kathleen Springs). Keep an eye out for orange arrow-shaped markers.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Find the car park at the start.
After 20 m pass the shelter (7 m on your right).
Continue straight, to head along Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
Keep right.
After another 45 m head through/around the gate.
After another 20 m pass the water tap (10 m on your left).
Then pass the toilet (115 m on your left).
After another 890 m (at the intersection of Giles Track & Kings Canyon Rim Walk) turn right, to head along Giles Track.
After another 2 km come to the "Watarrka Lookout".
After another 2.3 km come to the "Reedy Bluff".
After another 1.6 km continue straight, to head along Giles Track.
After another 265 m come to the "Reedy Creek Campsite".
After another 430 m cross the ford.
After another 670 m continue straight, to head along Giles Track.
After another 1.2 km continue straight, to head along Giles Track.
After another 1.8 km come to the "Rocky Creek".
After another 2.7 km come to the "Hill Mulga Creek".
After another 960 m come to the "Waru Creek".
After another 2 km continue straight, to head along Giles Track.
After another 350 m cross the ford.
After another 1.8 km come to the "Kathleen Springs" (140 m on your left).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you to the Kathleen Springs where there is a waterhole fed by Kathleen Creek. Informative signs along the track let you know about the history and Aboriginal culture of the area. Expect around 30 minutes added to your hike. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 1.4 km (at the intersection of Giles Track & Kathleen Springs Walk) turn right (a footpath).
After another 30 m turn right.
After another 150 m come to the end.
This optional side trip takes you to the Kathleen Springs where there is a waterhole fed by Kathleen Creek. Informative signs along the track let you know about the history and Aboriginal culture of the area. Expect around 30 minutes added to your hike.
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Giles Track & Kathleen Springs Walk Start heading along Kathleen Springs Walk (a footpath).
After another 1.2 km come to "Kathleen Springs".
Continue another 0 m to find Kathleen Springs at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 1.2 km to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Giles Track
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
20.7 km
Time
6 h, 9 h to 2 days
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)
Bushwalk
6 h, 9 h to 2 days
Camp site: There is one 7.3 km from the start.
Shelter: There is one 20 m from the start.
Toilet: There is one 85 m from the start.
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Find the car park at the start.
After another 45 m head through/around the gate.
After another 20 m pass the water tap (10 m on your left).
After another 2 km come to the "Watarrka Lookout".
After another 430 m cross the ford.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 1.2 km to the main route.