Kings Canyon Resort or Kings Station?

fireheart · Senior Member

Kings Canyon Resort or Kings Station?

gordon_adl · Senior Member

I've found that the station is not quite close as it seems. Also the resort has some funky entertainment for kids in the evening. The station cafe makes some beautiful dessert pies though. Either way you won't go wrong.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Personally I would prefer to stay at the Station - great atmosphere, and the entertainment is not "manufactured" - loved it when we stayed there - bush camping with full amenities.

patrolst · Senior Member

Hi Sharon

We have just come back from Kings Canyon and the Resort was $84.00 per night for 2 people and while the canyon was good we could not see the value in the park as the sites were unlevel and the amenities were very grubby.

I can't comment on Kings Station as we were only there for one night and didn't go there.

Regards Jim

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

we stayed at the station a few years ago now and it was a great camp site, the resort was too expensive, I hate wasting money. biggrin

its 36 klms from the Canyon so not that far, we would go back there again, but not to the resort

rod56 · Veteran Member

I think if you check, Kings Canyon Resort and Kings Creek Station are very similar in pricing per night, around $42 for 2 people powered site.

Rod

Duh · Guru

There used to be a freebie on the road that cuts across from the main road to Uluru to Kings Canyon main road, I can't recall how far out that was or whether it would be feasible to spend a night there, visit the Canyon the next day and return there on the way back. Camps 6 should show it if it is still current as a freebie.

Just checked Camps 5, it is shown as 64 campsite, it is 120kms from Kings Canyon, so if you reckon you could drive the 120 kms, see the Canyon and then return 120 kms in the one day you would have a free camp.

Edit: Bear in mind you pass camp 64 on the way to Kings Canyon and on your return, so it is not wasted kms.

If you had a friend in their RV and you were prepared to spend 2 days at the free camp you could each take your turn and leave your van at the free camp while the other looked after it and only take your tug for the return trip.

-- Edited by Duh on Sunday 22nd of July 2012 09:24:09 PM

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

rod56 wrote:
I think if you check, Kings Canyon Resort and Kings Creek Station are very similar in pricing per night, around $42 for 2 people powered site.

Rod

Jim reported he had just come back from the resort and it was $84 a night for 2 people.

tiger5 · Senior Member

These are the prices for the station

Prices effective 1st April 2012 to 31st March 2013.
$21.50 per adult - powered site per night
$19.50 per adult - unpowered site per night
Child (5-15 years) $9.00

$52.00 family powered site - 2 x adults plus children under 16 per night
$46.00 family unpowered site - 2 x adults plus children under 16 per night

fireheart · Senior Member

Thank you everyone. We have decided upon the station as a stop over. Thanks for all your advice and recommendations. I knew the advice would be sound from the seasoned GN's.

rockylizard · Guru

tiger5 wrote:
These are the prices for the station

Prices effective 1st April 2012 to 31st March 2013.
$21.50 per adult - powered site per night
$19.50 per adult - unpowered site per night
Child (5-15 years) $9.00

$52.00 family powered site - 2 x adults plus children under 16 per night
$46.00 family unpowered site - 2 x adults plus children under 16 per night

Gday...

WOW .... only $2 for 24 hours usage unbelievable ... wonder if that'll change when the carbon tax kicks in biggrin biggrin biggrin aww aww

Cheers - John

Nicholstones · Guru

According to the website the resort charges $21 per adult per night with a family rate of $48 which covers 2 adults and 4 children, so if this is true then it in fact works out cheaper than the station. Not sure how this squares with Jim's claim of $84 pn, maybe he paid the family rate and has finger trouble typing it. I can't imagine anyone paying $84 a night for a powered site anywhere, we paid $36 pn for 2 adults when we stayed at the resort about 3 years ago. The sites were reasonable and the resort facilities included quite a nice walk and a sunset viewing area. Bistro meals were available but were pretty pricey.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

We stayed at the resort last year, had a great site with a view toward the sunset on the Mtn. It wasnt cheap at $82 for 2 nights for 2 people, but we loved it. The entertainment was good, free unless you buy drinks/food, the nights were cool and it was cosy in there. Interestingly the amenities blocks have gates which must be shut to keep dingoes out, they are quite plentiful in the area. Would do it again.
The station sounds good though, might be worth it for something different.... why not go to both?

PS, glad you got your money back Jim.

-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Monday 23rd of July 2012 09:53:26 AM

patrolst · Senior Member

Nicholstones wrote:
According to the website the resort charges $21 per adult per night with a family rate of $48 which covers 2 adults and 4 children, so if this is true then it in fact works out cheaper than the station. Not sure how this squares with Jim's claim of $84 pn, maybe he paid the family rate and has finger trouble typing it. I can't imagine anyone paying $84 a night for a powered site anywhere, we paid $36 pn for 2 adults when we stayed at the resort about 3 years ago. The sites were reasonable and the resort facilities included quite a nice walk and a sunset viewing area. Bistro meals were available but were pretty pricey.

There were no typing errors in what I had typed previously and the claim is perfectly legitimate with no finger trouble at all in typing. But you can if you want, imagine that we did pay the $84.00 as the alternative was a return trip to Curtin Springs where we had previously been staying @ $21.00 per night for 2 people.

But with the doubt the "Nicholstones" have put on my post I decided to ring the resort to enquire on the site cost, I spoke to reception and explained what our situation was, and they confirmed that we had been charged for 2 nights and without hesitation advised that they would credit our account for the 2nd night.

So over the dispersion that clouded my original post the final outcome was good.

Regards Jim

Duh · Guru

Duh wrote:
There used to be a freebie on the road that cuts across from the main road to Uluru to Kings Canyon main road, I can't recall how far out that was or whether it would be feasible to spend a night there, visit the Canyon the next day and return there on the way back. Camps 6 should show it if it is still current as a freebie.
Just checked Camps 5, it is shown as 64 campsite, it is 120kms from Kings Canyon, so if you reckon you could drive the 120 kms, see the Canyon and then return 120 kms in the one day you would have a free camp.
Edit: Bear in mind you pass camp 64 on the way to Kings Canyon and on your return, so it is not wasted kms.
If you had a friend in their RV and you were prepared to spend 2 days at the free camp you could each take your turn and leave your van at the free camp while the other looked after it and only take your tug for the return trip.

A couple of questions to those that have been to Kings Canyon recently,

If indeed you did stay at the freecamp (64) and took off early the next day intending to view Kings Canyon and return to freecamp 64, is there parking for caravans at Kings Canyon for those not wishing to stay at either the resort of station?

With the back road to Alice shown as unmade on the maps (direct route to Kings Canyon, not the one via the bitumen) has anyone been over that road and is it suitable for caravans albeit no doubt dusty?

I've been to Kings Canyon but a long, long time ago.

rod56 · Veteran Member

Hi Duh

Parking is available for vans at the canyon carpark with large bays available to cater for all the coaches that visit. The back road (Meereenie Loop) can be very corrugated and usually would only be suitable for proper off road vans and trailers driven to the conditions, although if lucky it can be OK if it has just been graded.

Thought you must have been overcharged or typed incorrectly Jim, great you got reimbursed, the forum works again.
Similar to Gerty, I love the sunset views from the resort camping ground and the entertainment at the tavern is always enjoyable with a few ales to wash the dust down.

Rod

Nicholstones · Guru

Glad to see that things worked out for you Jim, I'm sure you can put the credit to good use!

Duh · Guru

rod56 wrote:
Hi Duh

Parking is available for vans at the canyon carpark with large bays available to cater for all the coaches that visit. The back road (Meereenie Loop) can be very corrugated and usually would only be suitable for proper off road vans and trailers driven to the conditions, although if lucky it can be OK if it has just been graded.

Rod

Thanks Rod,

Good to get feedback on these things, sounds like the free camp could be a viable option if you were willing to do a 240km return (120km each way) in one day, leaving from the free camp early in the morning after an overnight rest, doing the Canyon walk and returning on the bitumen road out for those not contemplating the Meereenie Loop.