Day 42 / 2025 - Coober Pedy to Kings Canyon

Heading out from Coober Pedy we once again turned north onto the Stuart Hwy. The country side was still very much a barren plain with mounds of dirt where test holes for Opal mining had been drilled.

As we progressed the plains started to change from barely any vegetation to clumps of shrubs and grasses to small trees. We stopped a Marla to fill up with Fuel and have lunch before progressing to our stop for the night, Agnes Creek. This was a fairly large camping area which went right back with lots of level areas. The first part was easy to access and flat ground. As you progressed back the were a few bumps you need to get yourself over. Easy for vans without a WDH but we just had to pick our line a little more carefully but made it through okay.  

 After a restful night we had some discussion about whether to move on or stay. The fly's were quite bad so we decided to move on. Not that it would be any better further on just you could get some reprieve from the flys and occupy some time driving instead of sitting in a van all day. We weren't due into Kings Canyon for another 2 days so we thought we would progress slowly towards our destination, camping at roadside rest areas along the way hoping the fly population would be a little less (it wasn't...).

We travelled further North along the Stuart Hwy. We stopped at the NT/SA border for the obligatory photo and jumping back and forth across the state line  or standing with one foot in each state, childish I know, but when Rome. Heading on our next stop was Urldunda for fuel. This is also where we need to turn right on the Lassiter Hwy to head towards Kings Canyon. Uluru was also in this same direction but we were not visiting this time as we had been there 10 years ago,a bit too expensive for a second visit. We had missed Kings Canyon last time so this was our primary objective. Lassiter's Hwy is undergoing a shoulder widening project but there is still plenty of road to do as some parts of the road had no shoulder at all. The landscape was hilly and with more trees than along the part of the Stuart Hwy we had so far travelled.  We made to Kernot Range Rest Area around 2 pm. The rest area is about 10 Km shy of the turn off to Kings Canyon. This was to be our stop for the night and yes you guessed it the flys were just a bad. We were surprised to get some Telstra Service there as it was not marked on Wiki Camps features page. Maybe the conditions were just right on that night for a bit of radio wave skipping. After sunset the fly's had completely disappeared so we ventured outside for a drink after dinner. We did hear some buzzing of what sounded like mosquitoes but they didn't seem to bother us. 

 Next morning we discussed again should we stay or should we move on and 'move on' won the day. Packing up we headed further west for about 10 Km then turned North onto Luritja Rd. We travelled for another 60 Kms before we found another overnight rest area called Salty Creek. This looked like a good place to stop for the night and would leave us about another 120 Km (1.5 hrs) to travel to our final destination, the Discovery Resort, Kings Canyon. We had only booked a non powered site as our solar seemed to be coping okay with our power demands. The nights were cool enough not to need air conditioning and the days could be spent in the pool. Cooking can be done on a BBQ or using the gas stove. Speaking of the gas stove looks like ours has developed a leak around the lid switch as it caught alight while boiling the kettle. Just another thing to get fixed.

Next morning we packed up and headed off on the final leg to Kings Canyon. The drive in took about an hour and a half, we were assisted by a nice tail wind. Arriving at the park we checked in for the two planned nights. Giving us the map they explained just follow the one way signs until you reach your site, i think we went the long way doing a full circuit of the park as our site was virtually next to the exit. Parking up we setup with an awning out. The sites were suppose to be un-powered but we seem to have a power outlet right next to us. I resisted connecting to the van but I could just plug any portable appliance in such as a kettle or toaster in, after all I would be able to do the same thing in the camp kitchen. In the late afternoon we went to the bar and took advantage of the happy hour. Beer and wine $8.20 between 4 & 5 pm. That evening at the outback bar just up from our site we sat sipping wine and watching the sunset play colours on the walls of the distant range then watched the light towers light up just below where we were sitting.

Next morning we were up early and headed to Kings Canyon for the much anticipated Rim Walk. This is a 6 km one way loop around the Canyon Wall. It starts with a 400 metre climb up a step set of mostly naturally formed steps. Once at the top you then follow a set or markers along a trail that takes you around the Canyon. It is truly a majestic sight as you look dow 400 metre shear cliff walls. There are bridges and stairs to navigate across and down taking you to various eco systems from barren rocks to areas with lush vegetation that some grew during the dinosaur era. There are lots of signs about managing the walk in hot conditions such a take at least 3 litres of water and snack food but this didn't apply to us on this day as the winds were quite cold and we managed the whole walk in our wind cheaters & Trackie pants. The whole walk took us about 4 hours.

Next day was rest day where we caught up on a number of chores. and some general relaxing and ofcourse another happy hour. Probably our biggest complaint would be once again the fly's. They seem to be in great abundance and very friendly.