Kings Canyon - Where to camp

We were up there about three years ago and stayed at Kings Canyon Resort (in a camper trailer), but for the same reason the ladies wanted some facilities. Probably the major reason we didn't stay at Kinge Creek was that it is 40km away from the canyon.

Being closer made it much easier for me to take those couple of extra early and late afternoon walks looking for photos. So it's only distance for us, me!

You will enjoy it whatever way you decide.

Paul & Fiona

What's 40k's out there? 25mins?

We stayed at Kings Creek Station year and it was terrific. Good facilities, campfires, heliflights if you like that stuff, quad bikes. It's all there.

We stayed at Kings Canyon Resort a few months ago. They let you choose your own site. We got in early and got a fantastic site overlooking the range where the canyon is. We were able to watch an uninterrupted view of the sunrise over the ranges from our campsite. It was beautiful.

So, if you can manage to get there fairly early in the day and grab a front row site I would say the Kings Canyon option is better.

My vote is Kings canyon resort, clean and tidy with good amnenties

Last June we dropped in at Kings Creek for lunch but camped at the Resort as it was closer to the Canyon and we were doing the Merrinee Loop so didn't want to backtrack. A Dingo tried to knock off a box of Capichino packets from the tailgate when I was away from my vehicle. A fellow camper chased it off. :LOL

I stayed at the resort a couple of months ago and give it all the ticks - clean, good amenities, nice staff, shop, fuel, - and, not to many $. Nice sunset views.

KK

Thanks everyone,

It sounds like the consensus is that they are both great spots... but Kings Canyon Resort has the edge - particularly if we can get there early enough..

19 days to go !!!!!

But who's counting....

Mark

Mark,

As a family of 5, we also stayed at the KC Resort for all of above reasons mentioned.

cheers,

Lance

I stayed at the resort in 07,it was ok,but noisy and a lack of shaded camping areas put me off a little.
Dingoes got my overpriced $5 loaf of stale bread from Darwin and they got the neighbours thawing bbq packs while they were out.


Ill probably bypass Kings Canyon next time if the other camp site is just as noisy.

Mark

One month ago my family including a 75 year old woman and three teenage kids did a Central oz trip and stayed at Kings Ck Station after reading reports on it in a previous thread. We camped at Uluru resort first which is owned by the same company that owns Kings Canyon resort and they appeared very similar.

The facilities at Kings Ck station were good, couldn’t fault their showers (good gas hot water), water supply or restaurant/ bar. They also sell basic supplies, which can’t compare to the resort’s 4 aisle IGA. The tourist shops were on par, though the Station prices were 25-33% lower than the resort. . IF you are on an unpowered sites, you will highly likely be on a GRASSED site and only days of traveling and staying in dust can make you appreciate that! Many of those sites were also under large tress, desert oaks I thought.

The Station is owned by third generation locals who appears to employ staff whohave been in the district for a while, including former Canyon tour guides, as opposed to the resort has a large number of overseas backpackers.
They were filming an edition of Australian Story when we were there about the owners, it should go to TV on the ABC in mid to late August (we were told), so you can watch it before you go The station doesn’t take bookings, they guarantee everyone an unpowered site though who turns up. You could view magnificent sunsets on the nearby range.

Why we really liked the Station over the resort option was that you had a better central Oz experience, as opposed to staying at “yet another another 1st rate resort/ caravan park” You gained some appreciation for the region and it’s people at the Station. You had heaps of space at the Station, close camping at the resort. The Station was for us probably the most relaxed part of our stay in central Australia.

Make sure you do the 3km Kathleen Springs (?) walk half way between the Station and the Resort, not crowded like the canyon. well worth the walk.

Gday,
Im going to go against the now majority vote and say Kings Creek.
As stated above its a family buisness not a multi national company is the main reason.
I have stayed at both places dozens of times and sometimes weeks on end and would definately recomend Kings Creek over the resort. There is nothing wrong with the resort...I just prefer the hospitality of the Conways and would rather put my money in locals pockets any day.

Ps. Dont be supprised if the opinion changes....this question has been asked many times on here and the majority usually say Kings Creek????

Cheers
Hairy

We stayed at Kings CK. station 4 yrs ago...great spot , shady, good pool , nice people...little bit further to travel...but still enjoyed it...cheers

Stayed at Kings Creek Station August 08, great camp site, good showers/toilet etc, not to far from Canyon walk as we we were going around the loop.
cheers
Caddz