I've seen the Grand Canyon – but this Aussie dupe comes with ocean views

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.
🐋

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Times

16 hours ago

• Times

Is this America's most inspiring garden?

I am not sure how I first heard about Chanticleer Garden, which is in a suburb of Philadelphia with the prosaic name of Wayne. It's one of those gardener's gardens that you hear dropped into various podcasts or conversations. It has been called 'America's most inspiring garden' and I knew that when my husband, Ian, and I went to visit his cousin in Philly a few years ago, we just had to go via Wayne. 'Wayne?' queried Ian, and I had to admit that it didn't sound like a destination sort of place. As I drove the rental car through deep suburbia, even I began to doubt our mission. I almost punched the air when we found the entrance. It's one of those places: if you think you're lost, you're probably there.

Time Out Dubai

a day ago

• Time Out Dubai

This is *exactly* how long summer will last in Dubai this year

Summer officially arrives in Dubai on Saturday June 21, and is famously a time of year when temperatures are hot, humidity is rife and some of our favourite attractions temporarily close. While there are some incredible perks to spending summer in Dubai and a zillion fun indoor activities that are cool (in more ways than one), you may be wondering, 'How long does summer actually last in Dubai?' Don't worry, we've got the intel. How long is Dubai summer in 2025? Dubai summer 2025 (Credit: Adobe Express) Astronomically, it has been confirmed that Dubai summer will end on Monday September 22, meaning this year's summer period is exactly three months and one day long. 93 days in total, if you want to be precise. Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Board Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society and member of the Arab Union for Space and Astronomy Sciences, confirmed the duration of Dubai summer for 2025. He said: 'Summer will begin astronomically on June 21 with the summer solstice and will last for three months until September 23. 'During this period, temperatures will range between 41 and 43 degrees Celsius, accompanied by dry conditions and active winds.' He continued, 'The UAE will experience its longest daylight hours between June 18 and 24, reaching up to 13 hours and 43 minutes.' After the summer solstice, we can start to look forward to the autumnal equinox, which will happen on Tuesday September 23. Beat the heat with these Dubai summer activities For a full list of indoor Dubai summer activities – ranging from indoor attractions and water parks to cinemas and museums – head here. Below, are some of are favourites. Hit the slopes at Ski Dubai (Credit: Supplied) Getting too hot out and about? Cool off at Ski Dubai. Whether you're meeting the penguins, zorbing along the snow or zipping down the slopes, it's a top way to keep active and have some fun in an icy environment. Sound a bit strenuous? You can ditch the slopes a little early and enjoy the hot chocolate included in your ticket price instead. Prices vary. Open Mon-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri 10am-midnight, Sat-Sun 9am-midnight. Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, (04 409 4000). Cool off at Atlantis Aquaventure (Credit: Atlantis Aquaventure) Found at Atlantis The Palm, thrill-seekers can make the most of a line-up of world-class slides and cool off with a float around the lazy river. Something for the little ones, the park also has a dedicated kids' zone featuring a giant pirate ship that is kitted out with water guns and giant buckets. Just remember to pick up some pool socks so your feet don't get too hot. From Dhs360. Open daily 9.15am-6pm. Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah. (04 426 0000). Watch a summer blockbuster at Roxy Xtreme If you're feeling the heat, it's time to cool off in front of the silver screen. Boasting the largest cinema screen in the Middle East, the Roxy Xtreme screen is a whopping 28m high by 15.1m wide, which is the size of two tennis courts. When watching a film here, you can even sit in the Director's Boxes, which host 12 people and come with food. Prices vary. Roxy Cinemas, Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai Hills, (800 7699). Underwater yoga at The Lost Chambers (Credit: The Lost Chambers Aquarium) This is as close to doing yoga under the sea as it gets. At this early-morning session (well, 8am) at the popular aquarium on the Palm, not only will you be put through your paces at a yoga class, but you'll also do so surrounded by the stunning tanks at the Lost Chambers aquarium. You'll come out feeling relaxed and stretched, and you'll also get a chance to spot sharks, stingrays and jellyfish while you strike a pose. Dhs175. Mon, Wed, Sat, Sun, 8am-9am. Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, (04 426 1000). Time Out Market (Credit: ITP Images) If you're other half just can't decide what they want to eat, take them here. The market is packed with some of the city's best food vendors, guaranteed to satisfy any craving. In the mood for a filling treat? Grab the garlic knots from Pitfire Pizza. Want something a little more local? Be sure to try the spread from Liban. Mon-Thu noon-midnight, Fri noon-1am, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-midnight. Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, (054 375 2421). Explore Museum of the Future (Credit: Supplied) Chances are you've admired the Museum of the Future (after all, it's one stunning piece of architecture) but have you checked out inside yet? The museum has a number of floors with different interactive experiences to explore. It recently celebrated its first birthday and with an AI-powered humanoid, Ameca, Bob the robot barista and flying robots inside a visit is something to be ticked off your to-do list this summer. From Dhs159. Open daily 9.30am-7pm, Sheikh Zayed Road, (800 2071). Be Pac-Man for the day If this was one of your favourites as a kid, then you need to step inside the game and experience real-life Pac-Man. Now at Active Games, the 45-minute maze will even get your heart rate up as you dodge hungry ghosts, collect power pellets and chase a high score. From Dhs160. Mon-Wed 1pm-11pm; Fri-Sat 11am-midnight. Al Quoz, Discover House of Hype Created by the team behind equally impressive Dubai attraction AYA Universe, this lot know how to give you a cool Insta-op. Tucked inside Chinatown at Dubai Mall, and on first glance, you might not know what to expect. But trust us on this one. This gigantic experience has over 100 different things to do, and you'll feel like you've walked through video games, taken a stroll through Japan and stumbled into a dream at the same time. From Dhs149. Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, (04 542 0330). Satisfy your sweet tooth at Museum of Candy In need of a sugar rush? The attraction is an incredible adventure browsing 15 rooms all dedicated to (you guessed it), candy. Not only will you learn some weird and wonderful facts, you'll also get to slide into a gummy bear pool, watch some crazy candy being crafted and get some ideal insta opportunities. Don't leave without trying the unlimited ice cream (the flavours might surprise you). From Dhs119 (adult), Dhs99 (child). Open daily 10am-10pm. Umm Hurair Rd, Oud Metha, (04 591 0088). Other things to do in Dubai in summer 11 wonderfully quirky things to do in Dubai Step out your comfort zone and try one of these activities The movies you have to catch this summer (and where to watch them) The blockbusters you can't afford to miss 50 free things to do in Dubai in 2025 You won't believe what you can do

Times

2 days ago

• Times

Is it time to hang up on these great red relics?

I n Parliament Square this week, I had to jostle to pass a queue. Reaching the front, I saw what it was for: a red telephone box. But no one was actually making calls. Instead each tourist took their turn, leaning against Gilbert Scott's design classic while a friend snapped a picture with Big Ben in the background. This is, I suppose, why this particular telephone box remains. But it was an empty shell. It didn't even bear the once traditional central London wallpaper of escort calling cards to save its dignity. Presumably that business has gone on to mobile phones too. It had all the melancholic pointlessness of a giant panda being played sexy music by its keepers in the hope it will finally reproduce, or some new scheme to shore up Venice. Sometimes even the noblest of heritage cannot be saved. Just let them die in dignity.