Your Guide To Discovery Resorts Kings Canyon

Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon puts you in a prime spot for admiring Watarrka National Park’s splendour.

Forged over 440 million years ago, the Northern Territory’s legendary Kings Canyon encompasses towering red rock cliffs, palm-filled crevices, and sweeping views across the desert that warp one’s sense of distance.

The best part? You can stay at its doorstep at Discovery Parks Kings Canyon Resort. Whether you opt for a deluxe cabin featuring a freestanding tub with a picture window, or a patch of red earth for your tent, this ancient landscape will be forever etched in your memory.

Location

The beauty of Kings Canyon is that it is so remote. It is hidden deep in Watarrka National Park, 330 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs and the same kilometre distance north of Uluru. Either combine it with a trip to Uluru or a meandering 4WD road trip around the 1135-kilometre Red Centre Way.

an aerial view of the Kings Canyon Resort

The outback resort is nestled deep within Watarraka National Park. (Image: Tourism NT/Matt Glastonbury)

Facilities

At Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon you will find a swimming pool, tennis court, a well-stocked general store, barbeques, laundry room, petrol station providing diesel and unleaded, and wi-fi. Dogs are allowed in the campground but must be leashed at all times.

Go glamping in the outback at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon. (Image: Tourism Australia/Nicholas Kavo)

Rooms

The resort offers multiple accommodation types. Campers will be happy to push in the tent pegs at the unpowered campsites, which have uninterrupted views out to Kings Canyon.

a glamping tent at Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon

A picture-perfect outlook of the Red Centre. (Image: Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon)

Many adventurers arrive by caravan and stay in the powered campsites where they enjoy some of the best seats in the house. For added comfort and privacy, there are powered sites with ensuites.

glamping tents under the stars at Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon

Sleep under the starry night sky in a luxe tent. (Image: Tourism NT/Mark Fitzpatrick)

For those who like glamping, opt for a pre-erected tent fully equipped with up to four cosy beds, a small fridge, a Nespresso machine, a dining table, a bathroom with Australian-made skin care products, an outdoor deck, and air conditioning.

the amenities inside a glamping tent at Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon

The most important creature comforts are all accounted for. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia0

If you’re after four solid walls, the cheapest digs are the budget ‘Lodge’ rooms with shared bathroom facilities. To take it up a notch, book one of the recently refurbished Standard Rooms, which have ensuite bathrooms, private balconies, and air-conditioning.

the standard room at Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon

The Standard Room sleeps up to four. (Image: Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon)

The Deluxe Rooms are the most luxurious and the room’s hero is a freestanding bath overlooking the red desert and craggy sandstone cliffs. Inside, there’s a king bed, an oversized flat-screen TV, a sofa, a small table and chairs, and plenty of storage.

the Deluxe room at Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon

The Deluxe Room is the resort’s most luxurious offering. (Image: Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon)

Bottles of water are supplied and a kettle, tea, and coffee. Outside, there’s a private area with chairs and a table.

a woman relaxing in a tub inside her Deluxe Suite at Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon

Enjoy the view from the private tub. (Image: Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon)

Food and drink

There are two restaurants onsite, a bar and grill and the more refined Carmichaels, plus an option of the special five-course, open-air Under a Desert Moon dinner. There is also a bar at the Luritja Lookout with a platform perfect for toasting the sunset with a glass of sparkling wine.

a group of people Dining Under A Desert Moon around a bonfire

Gather around the bonfire with a sparkling wine. (Image: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught)

Named after the Carmichael Sandstone that underpins Kings Canyon, Carmichaels Restaurant specialises in gourmet outback fare. Here, goujons of crocodile and barramundi in paperbark sit on the menu next to citrus tart with wattleseed ice cream and chocolate tart with grilled strawberries in native pepper for dessert.

an open-air Under a Desert Moon dinner at Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon

The Under a Desert Moon dining experience unfolds in a hidden location. (Image: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught)

The showstopper dining experience is the Under a Desert Moon experience, where you kick off with canapes on the green lawn in front of Carmichael’s before heading to a hidden location for dinner under the clear desert sky.

a waiter holding plates of food at the open-air Under a Desert Moon dinner at Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon

Treat yourself to a special five-course dinner. (Image: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught)

For a hearty meal, head to the tin-roofed and partly open-air Kings Canyon Bar & Grill for burgers, wood-fired pizzas, and cold beverages.

A buffet brekky is served at Carmichaels from May until October and over the summer months, breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the bar and grill.

a close-up shot of a waiter serving a plate of food at Carmichael's Restaurant

Carmichael’s Restaurant serves refined dining options. (Image: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught)

Experiences at Kings Canyon

The site’s newest attraction is the massive art installation Light-Towers by artist Bruce Munro, which you can wander through. They cast a gentle glow at sunrise, sunset and in the evening.

Marvel at the impressive Light-Towers by artist Bruce Munro. (Image: Tourism NT/Ray Reyes)

The six-kilometre Rim Walk serves up stunning views across Kings Canyon and will take you down into the Garden of Eden. It is a circuit walk that kicks off with a fairly hefty climb from the car park up a series of stone steps to the summit of the canyon.

Hike the six-kilometre Rim Walk for unforgettable views. (Image: Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon)

Around the halfway mark there’s the option of descending down into the Garden of Eden, an oasis, complete with water in the middle of the canyon. For a gentler walk, there’s the 2.6-kilometre Tjina Ngaku Payi (meaning ‘looking at the track’) for anyone with moderate fitness (and little kids).

an aerial view of the scenic landscape across Kings Canyon

Take in the beauty of the landscape from Kings Canyon. (Image: Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon)

To get a birds-eye view of Kings Canyon jump one of the helicopter tours. You have three options – an eight-minute dash over the canyon, a 15-minute trip over the canyon, and Carmichaels Crag and a half-hour journey that adds in the view of the spectacular cliffs of the George Gill Range.

the view from above the helicopter tour over Watarrka National Park

See the craggy sandstone cliffs from above. (Image: Tourism NT/Matt Glastonbury)

To learn more about the local Aboriginal community, sign up for a one-hour workshop with Karrke Aboriginal Experience. You will hear about their weapons, musical instruments, medicines, bush tucker, and the evolution of the local languages.

the Karrke Aboriginal Experience at Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon

Accessibility

Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon offers select accommodations designed to cater to guests with accessibility requirements. You can discuss specific needs with the resort in advance to ensure a comfortable stay.

Details

Kings Canyon Resort, Luritja Road, Watarrka National Park.

an aerial view of the glamping tents at Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon

Head to Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon for a luxury desert retreat. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

Cost

For the most current rates and availability, it’s best to contact the resort directly or visit Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon.

Unpowered site – tent, from $37
Unpowered site – caravans, from $50
Unpowered site – motorhomes, from $63
Powered site, from $74
Ensuite site, from $112
Budget Lodge Room, from $168
Standard Family Room, from $380
Superior Glamping, from $430
Deluxe Room, from $480

This multi-day hike just got even better thanks to its exclusive new accommodation offering.

To complete its new Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk, Tasmanian Walking Company is constructing a suite of luxury accommodation along the route, which snakes through Australia’s Red Centre.

Each night, guests will retreat to the stunning eco-sensitive lodgings to recharge before hitting the trail again come morning – the ultimate finishing touch to this quintessential Aussie outback experience.

All about the new accommodation

The new accommodation offering from the Tasmanian Walking Company will open to guests on the four-night Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk in 2026. It will include two environmentally conscious camps and the exclusive Luxury Lodge, all nestled deep within the World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk Accommodation in the Northern Territory

The exclusive accommodation is part of the new Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk.

On the first night, hikers will hunker down at Camp One, which offers sweeping vistas of the iconic red-dirt landscape. Wash your first day on the trail away with a hot shower before getting snug in your thoughtfully designed canvas tent for a good night’s rest.

Camp Two, where guests stay on their second night, is similar in style and offers the same amenities, including flushing toilets. Here, you can treat yourself to a foot spa before heading out onto the designated stargazing deck to see the Milky Way in all its glory. Keen cosmic observers can even opt to camp out under the stars in a cosy swag.

Spacious canvas tents allow for full immersion in the ancient landscape.

Nights three and four of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk will be spent at Tasmania Walking Company’s impressive new Luxury Lodge. Guests are invited to rejuvenate with a massage or facial at the onsite Wellness Centre before relaxing with new friends in the communal lounge or retreating to private sleeping quarters.

While full details are yet to be released, the lodge is designed specifically to spotlight the surrounding scenery in all its raw, unfiltered beauty and integrate unique features that will work to fully immerse guests throughout their stay. Uninterrupted views of Uluru also allow for thoughtful reflection on your journey, amplifying a real sense of connection to and respect for Country.

Reflect on your transformative five-day journey at the Luxury Lodge.

It’s important to note that all accommodation along the way is twin share, so most solo travellers will need to bunk up with a fellow hiker. While single rooms can be requested upon booking, 75 per cent of your full fee is required as a supplementary payment.

What to expect along the way

The Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk has been developed in close consultation with the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people (Anangu), the Traditional Owners of the land. All up, the hike spans 54 kilometres across this vast and ancient landscape, earning itself a place among Australia’s most unforgettable hikes before it even opens to the public.

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk in the Northern Territory

The Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk span 54 kilometres.

During the day, guests will tackle different sections of the trail with an experienced guide, from the soaring domes of Kata Tjuta to the 550-million-year-old Uluru, the sacred heart of Australia. Along the way, you’ll witness ochre-rich dunes, mulga woodlands and ancient outcrops, as well as hear Ancestral stories and learn about caring for Country. If five days isn’t enough (and it rarely is in this magical place), tack on an extra week or so to experience everything else Uluru has to offer.

Bookings for the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk are now open, with availability from April 2026 to September 2026. Prices start at $5395 per person and include all accommodation, transfers, meals and a selection of beverages, as well as a mandatory national park pass.

An awe-inspiring stay at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon