We are trying to decide whether we should add a day and night to our visit to Uluru to hike the rim of Kings Canyon. We've heard that it's really beautiful--and then we've also heard that it really isn't worth the time and effort to go all that way.

We will be going in October--so it will be hot (right?)--we think we'd have to spend the night so we could do the hike early in the morning.

Then I just read that the flies are so bad at that time of year that it ruins the whole experience. Is that true--or is that just one opinion?

just one opinion I think - buy a flynet to put over your hat and flys wont annoy you too much. In Oct it will be starting to get hot probably 28-35 degrees. It is 3hrs drive from Yulara to Kings canyon, you could get up very early at yulara, drive to KC do the rim walk and drive back - about 10hr round trip - sealed road all the way

IMHO Kings Canyon is well worth visiting. I have never seen such beautiful colours elsewhere and to me it represents the true colours of Australia. We've been a number of times now and always take a packed lunch and eat it sitting on the rocks in the Garden of Eden - aah heaven!

I really love our beautiful coastline but to me our Red Centre is unique, beautiful and often a spiritual experience. I'm sure you will love it too.

I was there Nov 9 2004. I planned extra days because by that time, it's a toss-up whether they close the climb of Ayers Rock or not. (On the 10th, it was open when I got there at 8AM, but closed by the time I got down.) The Olgas walks also close about 1/2 mile from the start when the weather reaches 36 or higher.

Yes, it's a long drive. Be sure to fill up when you can, it's a long way between stops. As far as I know, the Kings walk doesn't close. Bring a large bottle of water.

I wasn't bothered by flies, even though there had been a massive downpour the night before. I have some nice pictures of the spots where they have measuring rods stuck into the shoulder of the road, so you know it's shallow enough to drive through.

The walk is very picturesque. It's different - it's craggy, where Ayers and the Olgas are very smooth rocks. If nature is what cranks your wheel, think it's worth a stop.

PS. Are you going to the Jenolan caves outside of Sydney? Speaking of nature, but you have get out there nice and early - it's a long drive from Sydney... very pretty.

Yes - Kings Canyon is worth the trip. It takes about two/three hours to drive there from Yulara and it is a bit of a detour but well worth it.
The walk will take you about three hours, take something to eat and plenty of water. Make sure you walk down into the Garden of Eden.
One tip - start your walk from the left hand side of the canyon. This will mean you do the worst of the climbing whilst you are fresh.
Incidentally, the walk through the Valley of the Winds at the Olgas is another great walk.