MAPS & INFORMATION
Section Maps information and handy links
The Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory provide excellent maps of the 12 sections of the Larapinta Trail.
These maps can be viewed and / or downloaded from their website Larapinta Trail
Download individual section maps and descriptions
Section 1 – Alice Springs Telegraph Station to Simpsons Gap
Section 2 – Simpsons Gap to Jay Creek
Section 3 – Jay Creek to Standley Chasm
Section 4 – Standley Chasm to Birthday Waterhole
Section 5 – Birthday Waterhole to Hugh Gorge
Section 6 – Hugh Gorge to Ellery Creek
Section 7 – Ellery Creek to Serpentine Gorge
Section 8 – Serpentine Gorge to Serpentine Chalet Dam
Section 9 – Serpentine Chalet Dam to Ormiston Gorge
Section 10 – Ormiston Gorge to Finke River
Section 11 – Finke River to Redbank Gorge
Section 12 – Redbank Gorge to Mt Sonder return
The Larapinta Trail Kit available direct from Alice Wanderer Larapinta Transfers or from Parks and Wildlife. It provides maps and valuable tips on the trail and is an excellent source of information. It describes the walking conditions and features that you will encounter, and links the sign post indicators marked along the trail by the picture of a man looking at a book. They also feature side view contours to describe the terrain plus the ascent and decent of the climbs you will encounter.
WALKING THE TRAIL
Walking the Trail – Which way? Transfer
Deciding which way to walk is up to the individual. We suggest Redbank Gorge to Alice Springs for the following reasons:
- Food drops – the cost is considerably less when done during the initial transfer plus you know exactly where the food is located.
- Redbank Gorge to Alice Springs – You are walking away from the afternoon sun.
- Water at Redbank Gorge – To get your walk off to the best possible start we suggest at least 10 – 12 liters of good drinking water for your stay at Redbank Gorge. There is a water tank at the Red Bank car park where you can source water however water is not available at Ridge Top or Woodlands camp grounds.
- Peace of mind – with food drops done and no dead lines to meet, the only thing left is to enjoy your walk back into Alice.
- The traveling time out to Redbank Gorge may also provide you with some valuable information from your driver.
Please Note: Be aware that as the trail is designed to be walked from Alice Springs to Redbank Gorge, walking it in the reverse may cause some of the route markers to be a little harder to see.
Ormiston Gorge has a beautiful scenic walk that can only be described as ‘not to be missed’. If you can find the time to explore the Ormiston Pound Walk, the natural beauty of the area will be well worth the effort.
Glen Helen. The path to Glen Helen lies 4km’s off the main trail. If you would like to stop at Glen Helen on the way to Redbank, that will give you the option of walking straight through to Ormiston Gorge from Rocky Bar Gap.
WATER & WATER TANKS
Water Supplies, Locations and Distance
| STAGE | LOCATION | TYPE | NEXT SUPPLY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 & 12 | Redbank Gorge | Tank | 11.8km |
| 11 | Rocky Bar Gap | Tank | 14.20 (from Finke River) |
| 11 | Glen Helen | Reticulated Bore | 4.3km |
| 10 & 11 | Finke River | Tank | 9.1km |
| 9 & 10 | Ormiston Gorge | Reticulated Bore | 28.6km |
| 8 | Serpentine Chalet Dam | Tank | 13.4km |
| 7 & 8 | Serpentine Gorge Car Park | Tank | 13.8km |
| 6 & 7 | Ellery Creek | Tank | 15.3km |
| 6 | Rocky Gully | Tank | 15.9km |
| 5 & 6 | Hugh Gorge | Tank | 16.0km |
| 4 & 5 | Birthday Waterhole | Tank | 17.7km |
| 3 & 4 | Standley Chasm | Reticulated Bore | 14.1km |
| 2 & 3 | Jay Creek | Tank | 10.8km |
| 2 | Mulga Camp | Tank | 13.7km |
| 1 & 2 | Simpsons Gap | Reticulated Bore | 10.3km |
| 1 | Wallaby Gap | Tank | 13.4km |
| 1 | Alice Springs Telegraph Station | Town Supply | 00.0km |
Note: Parks and Wildlife are very reliable at maintaining water quality and quantity at these points however it is recommended that you carry sterilization tablets and/or boil the water.
CAMPING & OTHER OPTIONS
Camping Types and Areas
The only cost of the Larapinta Trail is a $7.50 entrance fee at Standley Chasm. Kiosks are open at Standley Chasm and Ormiston Gorge selling light snacks and ice cream.
Glen Helen Lodge can get extremely busy.Although many walkers don’t mind a nice cool beer and a bed at night, a wonderful camping option is “2 milebeach”, located on the banks of the Finke River and with outstanding views of Mt Sonder located 1 km from Glen Helen, you will see the ‘Beach’ as you walk into Glen Helen. If you want to swap camp food and save carrying weight off your packs, enjoy a delicious hot meal at Glen Helen Lodge. Breakfast is also available.
Ormiston Gorge has two camping areas available.The place to camp for walkers is in the “Coach camping area”. At the back of the Kiosk, you will see the sign on a gate post.
