Ellery Creek Big Hole is a spectacular waterhole in the mighty Ellery Creek which cuts through a gorge in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Thousands of years of massive floods have carved out this beautiful waterhole and unlocked some amazing geology.

Visitors to Ellery Creek Big Hole will be rewarded with excellent recreational opportunities - walking, swimming, picnicking and camping just to name a few.

Access Ellery Creek Big Hole is located 80 km west of Alice Springs. Access is via Larapinta and Namatjira Drives. Access is by conventional vehicle, however the last 2 km is unsealed. All roads can be impassable for a short period after heavy rain.

When to VisitThe Park is accessible all year round. The cooler months (April to October) are the most pleasant.

What to Do Camping - Camping facilities are available for

tents, trailers and caravans. Spaces are limited and operate on a first come, first served basis. Gas barbecues and toilets are provided.Camping fees are payable at the site and camping is only permitted in designated areas.

People planning to stay overnight should

bring their own drinking water requirements with them.

Swimming - The permanent waters of

Ellery Creek are situated 160 metres (five minutes walk) from the Carpark.

The waterhole is ideal for swimming, especially in the warmer months. Swimmers should be aware that most water holes are extremely cold. Prolonged exposure, even during summer, can result in hypothermia. Beware of submerged logs and rocks. Do not jump, dive or swing into the water.

Walking - The walking tracks of Ellery Creek

Big Hole offer opportunities for visitors to explore the site, no matter what their time limit.

The 5 minute Ellery Creek walk from the carpark along a wheelchair accessible path, will provide visitors with a picture perfect view of Ellery Creek Big Hole.

The Dolomite Walk (3 km loop walk - 1.5 hrs) is a great way to take in the facinating geological processes of the site. The walk is along a marked, unsealed path with some steady inclines.

For the keen walker Sections 6 and 7 of the

Larapinta Trail start or finish at Ellery Creek Big Hole. This walk requires careful planning and preparation and should only be attempted by fit people with previous bushwalking experience.

Visit www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au or contact the Parks and Wildlife Regional Office or Tourism Central Australia for more details.

Have an Emergency Plan:Notify a reliable person of your intended route and plans. Ensure they know to contact police if you do not return by the arranged date.

Safety and Comfort• Observe park safety signs.• Carry and drink plenty of water.• Wear a shady hat, sunscreen,

insect repellent, suitableclothing and footwear.

• Avoid strenuous activity duringthe heat of the day.

• Consider your health and fitnesswhen choosing a walk.

• Swim only where recommended.• Swing ropes are not permitted.

Please Remember• Keep to designated roads and

tracks.• All historic, cultural items and

wildlife are protected.• Fires are permitted in communal

fire pit only. Collect firewoodbefore entering the park.

• Bins are not provided, pleasetake your rubbish with you.

• Pets are not permitted in thepark.

• Generators are not permitted.

Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Northern TerritoryOrmiston Gorge Ranger Station Regional Office - Arid Zone Research Institute Ph: (08) 8956 7799 South Stuart Highway ALICE SPRINGS NT 0870

PO Box 1120 ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871www.nt.gov.au/parks Ph: (08) 8951 8250 Fax: (08) 8951 8290

Fac

t S

hee

t

Walkers should carry a satellite phone or personal locator beacon.

Ellery Creek Big Hole -Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park

If you are lucky you might see a Dingo taking a drink from Ellery’s refreshing waters. Do not be tempted to feed them

or they may become a risk to visitors and have to be removed from the Park.

Ellery Creek Big Hole - part of the Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park

A/05/2018PWCNT Fact SheetFor more information visit www.nt.gov.au/parks or contact Tourism Central Australia 1800 645 199 or (08) 8952 5800 www.discovercentralaustralia.com

AliceSprings

0 2010

Kilometres

To Darwin

Tnorala(Gosse Bluff)ConservationReserve

Palm Valley

Finke GorgeNational Park

Owen Springs Reserve

Hamilton DownsYouth Camp

Owen Springs Ranger Station

To Adelaide

To Halls Creek (WA)

To Watarrka viaLarapinta Drive (Red Centre Way)

Alice SpringsTelegraphStationHistoricalReserve

Mt Zeil

Mt Razorback

Mt Giles

MtGillen

Stuar

t

Highway

Stu

art

Hig

hway

Tanami

Road

John Flynn'sGraveHistoricalReserve

Mt Sonder

Simpsons GapBicycle Path

Serpentine Gorge

Mt Sonder

Hermannsburg

Information

Ranger Station

Parking Areas

Toilets

Picnic Facilities

Drinking Water

Sealed Road

Unsealed Road

4WD Road

Larapinta Trail

Bicycle Path

Park Boundary

Tjoritja / West MacDonnellNational Park

Off Park Locality

On Park Locality

Mountain

Tylers PassLookout

2 Mile 4WDCamping

Serpentine Chalet

Simpsons GapRanger Station

Alice SpringsDesert Park

Simpsons Gap

Glen Helen

Standley Chasm

On Park Facilities

Off Park FacilitiesPrivately operated

Lookouts

Swimming

Bicycle Path

Wheelchair Access

Fuel

Gas BBQs

Wood BBQs

No Fires

Camping

Short Walks

Overnight Walks

Meals

Drinks

Accommodation

Caravan Sites

Medical Clinic

Redbank Gorge

Ormiston Gorge

Ochre Pits

Standley ChasmHugh Gorge

BirthdayWaterhole

Larapinta Drive (Red C

en

tre W

ay)

Namatjira Drive (Red Centre Way)Ellery Creek Big Hole

Larapinta Drive (Red Centre Way)

Tjoritja / West MacDonnellNational Park

Lookout

Simpsons Gap Ranger Office

Park Map

0 500250

Metres

To Glen Helen &Ormiston Gorge

Dolomite Loop Walk 1.5 hours return

Larapinta Trail Section 6

Larapinta Trail Section 7

To Alice Springs

Entry Grid

Ellery Creek Big Hole - Facilities and Activities

Gas BBQ

Information

Toilets

Picnic facilities

Parking Area

Camping

Sealed Road

Unsealed Road

Drainage

Short Walk

Overnight Walk

Creek

Ellery

Emergency Phone

Larapinta Trail

Walking Track Namatjira Drive - Red Centre Way

Ellery Creek Big Hole

Picnic Area

Campground

Communal Fire Pit

Swimming

Wheelchair Access

Caravan