Statement from Delaware North Companies
regarding Kings Canyon Resort
(Update 16 January, 2013, 3.00pm AEST)

Delaware North Companies Australia are pleased to advise that Kings Canyon Resort and Campground have re-opened as of today, Wednesday 16 January, after bushfires swept through the region last week.

The Desert Oaks Bistro and Thirsty Dingo Bar are now both operational, as well as both swimming pools and public areas. The service station and general store were re-opened on Sunday 13 January, providing petrol and snacks to passing traffic.

The roads to the Resort are accessible, with the Luritja Road and the Mereenie Loop Road now both open.

The Watarrka National Park has re-opened, with the Kings Canyon rim walk open from dawn to 8am only, due to high temperatures in the region.

For more information regarding the Watarrka National Park, please visit http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au. For information on road closures in the area, please visit http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/roadreport/.  

All Kings Canyon Resort enquiries should be directed to this website www.kingscanyonresort.com.au, the Resort Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/kings.canyon or by calling our reservations team on 1300 233 432.

Statement from Delaware North Companies
regarding Kings Canyon Resort
(Update 11 January, 2013, 2.00pm AEST)

Following a thorough assessment of the damage sustained at Kings Canyon Resort as a result of bushfires that swept through the area earlier this week, it has been determined that the Resort will be ready to open for business on Wednesday, 16 January.

All bookings until Wednesday will be cancelled as a result of the fire damage, and guests will be contacted individually. No fees will be payable.

All staff have now returned safely to the Resort following a two day period in Alice Springs.  They are being deployed to assist with clean-up duties related to the ash and smoke damage which is estimated to take several days.

The structural damage to the property was fortunately minimal and does not impact on the guest accommodation or public areas.

The main access roads to Kings Canyon including the Luritja Road and Mereenie Loop Road are now open, and The Kings Canyon retail operations (service station and shop) will open from Sunday afternoon, 13 January to provide for passing traffic. For information on road closures in the area, please visit http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/roadreport/.

The Watarrka National Park, the Kings Canyon Rim Walk and the Kathleen Springs Walk remain closed until further notice as a precautionary measure and are being monitored by authorities.  Travellers arriving into the area should check the Northern Territory Parks website page for openings. http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/parks/find/watarrka

Any  enquiries should be directed to this website www.kingscanyonresort.com.au, the Resort Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/kings.canyon or by calling our reservations team on 1300 233 432.

Statement from Delaware North Companies
regarding Kings Canyon Resort
(Update January 9, 2013, 3.00pm AEST) 

Northern Territory Police and emergency services teams are on site at Kings Canyon Resort and are conducting an early assessment of the damage sustained as a result of yesterday’s bushfire in the area.

At this stage there appears to be some smoke damage but limited structural damage.

The management team at Delaware North, owners of Kings Canyon Resort, will continue to work with the local authorities to determine the full extent of the damage.

Delaware North is committed to re-opening the property in this iconic, Northern Territory location. However, the timing won’t be known until a full assessment has been conducted and we can ensure the safety of our guests and staff which is the first priority.

There is currently no road access into the Resort, with the Luritja Road and the Mereenie Loop Road both still closed.

All 110 guests and staff, who were evacuated in advance of the fire yesterday, arrived safely in Alice Springs last night.  Staff will remain there until a final determination has been made on the re-opening.

Delaware North is fully committed to its staff and will work to get them back to their roles and to their homes at Kings Canyon Resort as soon as possible.

Kings Canyon Resort and the Watarrka National Park are closed until further notice. Any  enquiries should be directed to this website www.kingscanyonresort.com.au, the Resort Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/kings.canyon or by calling our reservations team on 1300 233 432.

Statement from Delaware North Companies
regarding Kings Canyon Resort
(January 8, 2013, 8:30pm AEST) 

Following advice from, and consultation with, the Northern Territory Emergency Services and the Northern Territory Police, all guests and staff were safely evacuated from Kings Canyon Resort in Central Australia early this afternoon due to bushfire threats in the local area.

All guests and staff departed the Resort in an escorted convoy on the Mereenie Loop Road to the Mereenie Oil Fields. Authorities have confirmed that all 110 staff and guests are safe and accounted for.

We understand there is some damage to the Kings Canyon Resort infrastructure but at this stage we do not know the full extent of this damage.

Kings Canyon Resort and the Watarrka National Park are closed until further notice. Any  enquiries should be directed to this websitewww.kingscanyonresort.com.au, the Resort Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/kings.canyon or by calling our reservations team on 1300 233 432.