Staring into an endless expanse of multicoloured gorges, rocky gullies and sunburnt spinifex, I felt a moment of déjà vu. I was more than 5,000 kilometres from home in Sydney, in a place I’d never been. And yet, the awe it stirred felt familiar. The only other time I’d felt this way was standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon.
I was 18 when I visited the 446-kilometre-wide Grand Canyon in Arizona, so it’s an experience that’s still vivid in my mind. As one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it’s a landmark almost everyone knows. But I’d bet most people have never heard of Charles Knife Canyon – what I’m calling Australia's slightly smaller Grand Canyon-esque dupe.
Located on the Traditional Lands of the Thalanyji people, this majestic canyon is just a super scenic 20-minute drive south of Exmouth in Cape Range National Park. It’s a fraction of the Grand Canyon’s size – stretching just 13 kilometres long and 20 kilometres wide – but the views are every bit as breathtaking.
To fully grasp the sheer scale of Charles Knife Canyon, you need to see it from above. Sure, you could take a helicopter ride or drive to a lookout — but for the most rewarding experience, I recommend hiking it on foot.
I joined the passionate Ian Vickers from Trek Ningaloo for the 6.8-kilometre Badjirrajirra Trail loop, which took us just over two hours return. We lucked out with a cloudy day, which was a blessing, as there’s almost zero shade along the route to protect you from the sun. With some steep climbs, you’re bound to break a sweat, so I’d strongly advise against doing the hike in the peak of summer when temperatures can hit 40 degrees Celsius. But that’s nothing compared to the Grand Canyon’s sweltering 50-degree highs.
Ian’s favourite time to hike is just before dawn, when you can watch the sun rise over the Indian Ocean. He also recommends visiting in the cooler months from June to August, when the national park bursts to life with up to 630 varieties of wildflowers.
Departing from Thomas Carter Lookout, the trail led us through narrow gorges, across rocky gullies and along stretches of open spinifex bushland, eventually arriving at Shothole Canyon Lookout. From here, the views are breathtaking, stretching across the rugged and colourful contours of the canyon all the way to the sparkling waters of the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef.
So, while Charles Knife Canyon might not rival the Grand Canyon in size, its spectacular ocean views are unlike anything you’ll find in Arizona. Absolutely gorge-ous, if I do say so myself.