Amidst the strikingly arid terrain of Kings Canyon in the Red Centre of Australia lies a hidden lush oasis at the canyon’s floor – the Garden of Eden. Our journey continued on as we traversed beyond the canyon’s steep cliff and carefully descended 270 metres into the chasm through a flight of man-made wooden stairs to get to the Garden of Eden. 🙂
270 Metres Down The Wooden Stairs & Narrow Platform
Taking turns, one by one, we carefully made our way down to the foot of the canyon. The trail took us through a paradise of shady, lush greenery – breaking the earthly hues of the exposed parched landscape above the canyon. It was a welcoming, fresh sight to our eyes.
In certain areas, the narrow but guarded trail brought us close to the edge of the cliff as we walked on the well-maintained wooden platform. Information boards are placed along the trail for visitors to take a break and deepen their knowledge of the area. 😉
Along the way, we spotted several smaller waterholes scattered about in the area. The landscape is alive with the cheerful symphony of insect sounds and bird calls from a distance. Some of us took the opportunity to observe and photograph the unique local flora and fauna.
The Garden of Eden – A Spectacular Natural Wonder at Kings Canyon
About 30 minutes later, we arrived at the lush oasis – the Garden of Eden. It was a lovely place to rest and rejuvenate after a long walk at Kings Canyon. The lush vegetation around the oasis provided the much needed shade from the blistering sun. The air was crisp and cool, and the water was cold to the touch. The only sounds we could hear were Mother Nature.
In an instance, we felt calm and peaceful at the site of the oasis. Daphne and Danielle found a spot to sit and talk by the edge of the water. It was a peaceful experience and we enjoyed our time spent at the Garden of Eden. The oasis is a heaven for wildlife. Lucky visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of the elusive black-footed rock wallaby (waru), centralian green tree frog, the spinifex pigeon and even an emu! 😀
For your info, the sandstone in Kings Canyon acts like a giant sponge that soaks up the rain in the surrounding areas. Through time, the moisture seeping from the rocks have turned the deep gully into a lush oasis. The Garden of Eden is a refuge for rare and relict plants that has survived from a time when Central Australia was wetter and rivers ran regularly.
Water Is Life – Swimming Is Discouraged at the Waterhole
The Garden of Eden is a highly sacred place to the traditional owners of Watarrka. The oasis is an important men’s site. For that very reason, the Aboriginal people do not swim at this precious water source and ask that others respect the oasis and keep out of the waterhole.
Not only that, human activity such as swimming in the waterhole reduces the quality of the water by adding pollutants that can deter native wildlife from inhabiting the area. This will then affect the health of the ecosystem in the area. I’m glad the people in my tour group were responsible and considerate. They respected the Aboriginal people’s request and didn’t attempt to swim in the waterhole. 🙂
Unfortunately, not all share the same sentiments as us. Some disrespectful visitors choose to ignore the request and swim in the waterhole regardless of the consequences. 🙁 After we had enough rest, we made our way back up to the rim of Kings Canyon for another surprise.
Up next: A breathtaking view of the iconic beehive-like rock domes of Kings Canyon, Kestrel Falls, the red sand dunes, Mt. Conner and the salt lake of the Red Centre, Australia