Watarrka (Kings Canyon)

National Park

Northern TerritoryDesignated in 1989712 km²

Its 100-metre sandstone walls shelter the Garden of Eden inside, an oasis with relict plant species 400 million years old

Area

712 km²

Protection category

IUCN II

Parque nacional —

Designated in

1989

Declared in 1989, Watarrka holds Kings Canyon, with sandstone walls up to 100 vertical metres high, inside which hides the Garden of Eden, a permanent freshwater oasis ringed by relict ferns and palms, plant species that have survived in this sheltered microclimate for more than 400 million years, since a time when much of central Australia had a far wetter climate than today's desert.

Location

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Watarrka (Kings Canyon): 19 documented species

Mammals5Birds7Reptiles5Arachnida

Flora and ecosystems

Ecosystems found in Australia, where Watarrka (Kings Canyon) lies.

Tropical rainforestSavannahDesertMarine / coastal

Experiences in this park

Birdwatching

Wildlife you can see now

What is worth looking out for this month in Australia?

Now is a good time: The Humpback Highway on Australia's east coast (May to November (northbound May to August, southbound return August to November))

Now is a good time: Red crab migration on Christmas Island (October to January (spawning Nov-Dec))

Similar parks

Which other parks are like this one?

Same country: Australia

Keep exploring

Based on what we already know about this park.

Share your experience visiting Watarrka (Kings Canyon), or a tip for other travellers.

Watarrka (Kings Canyon)

Location

Watarrka (Kings Canyon): 19 documented species

Flora and ecosystems

Experiences in this park

Wildlife you can see now

Similar parks

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