Postcard from Kings Canyon – Watarrka National Park

Along the trail in Kings Canyon, Northern Territory

Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park is regarded as one of the most spectacular sights in central Australia. Hiking is the only way to see or experience the canyon as there are no roads along the rim or drives into the canyon itself. Due to the heat, we chose to do a couple of inner-canyon hikes to see the sights. The trails took us along dry stream beds as we walked into the gorge.

According to aboriginal dream-time lore, the ripple rock is a sign that the carpet python spirit-being rested here. The carpet python is one of the spirit beings that shaped the landscape.
Water is a scarce commodity in this dry landscape.
The spring at the end of the Kathleen Springs Walk, Watarrka National Park, Northern Territory

Cultural experiences have become very important to us. After all, these landscapes were inhabited by aboriginal people for 10’s of thousands of years before a white person saw them. They formed a complex culture with lore which regulated human behavior and connected people with the land and with each other.

Our Karrke guide demonstrates the grinding of seeds in the manner that has been passed down for thousands of years.

We spent part of an afternoon at Karrke, an Aboriginal Cultural Experience and Tour. Our guide Christine, and her partner Peter, have built this small business as a means of supporting their aboriginal community of 20 people.

Witchetty grub, a favorite bush tucker (food). When cooked in hot coals it tasted like buttered popcorn.

They told us about the culture and lore of their people, the Luritja and Pertame, and about bush medicines, bush tucker (food), art work, tool making, and much more.

Bush seeds used for jewelry.
Wild horse (non-indigenous)
Australian Ring Neck.

About rkcaton

We like to travel and even spent nine years roaming around North America in a 40 foot motorhome. We're now back in a home in Washington state roaming by car, air, and boat.
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5 Responses to Postcard from Kings Canyon – Watarrka National Park

  1. Laurel says:

    Such a fascinating tour. You ate witchety grubs? 😳 As much as I love multi-cultural experiences, I’m not sure I could do that…

  2. jesteacher says:

    I just couldn’t eat the grubs when I was there. Loving your trip.

  3. Cindy says:

    I would probably find it difficult to eat the grubs as well! I bet Dave would though… These pix are wonderful. I love that you are going for the cultural experiences. More and more it’s important that we learn about the people who live in the places we travel and to take the roads less traveled…

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