Kings Canyon: 3 November to 4 November

At the western edge of the George Gill Range, Kings Canyon is part of the Watarrka National Park.  The walls of Kings Canyon are over 300 metres high, with Kings Creek at the bottom. Part of the gorge is a sacred Aboriginal site and visitors are discouraged from walking off the walking tracks.  Wikipedia states:

 
Two walks exists at Kings Canyon.The 2 km (return) and approximately 1 hour Kings Creek Walk traces the bottom of the gorge. At the end of the walk is a platform, with views of the canyon walls above. The 6 km (loop) and 3-4 hour Kings Canyon Rim Walk traces the top of the canyon. A steep climb at the beginning of the walk, which locals call "Heartbreak Hill" (or "Heart Attack Hill", due to its steepness), takes visitors up to the top, with spectacular views of the gorge below and of the surrounding landscape. About half way during the walk, a detour descends to Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole surrounded by lush plant life. The last half of the walk passes through a large maze of weathered sandstone domes, reminiscent of the Bungle Bungle. A slow descent brings the visitor back to the starting point. The loop can also be done in reverse (anti-clockwise), but the National Park Rangers encourage visitors to walk in one direction.

Both of us did the 2K walk, and Roger got up at 5 am to conquer Heartbreak Hill (reminding him of another hill of the same name near Boston).   In  a show of trans-Tasman solidarity, he had to come to the support of the Aussie tour guide when she became involved in a shouting match with an arrogant French tour guide who was leading a large group of Total/Elf employees on a company jaunt. 

Some of you may remember that great movie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert about three drag queens who travel from Sydney to Alice Springs to do a show at the casino there.  [We saw the stage version in London this past summer.  It was fabulous!]  One of the great lines in the show was when one of the queens remarked "I've always wanted to be a jock in a frock on the Rock."  When the movie was filmed, permission to film it on  Uluru was refused, on the grounds that it would violate the beliefs of the indigenous Aboriginals.  Instead, that part of the film was shot at Kings Canyon.  Later, publicity shots were taken at Kings Canyon at a place now know as "Priscilla's Crack."  If Roger had the camera, he would have photographed it for you.  If you don't believe this story, check out Australian Geographic.