Larapinta Trail, S7 Old: Ellery Creek South to Serpentine Gorge

Starting from the Ellery Creek South Day Use Area, Namatjira, this walk takes you to the Serpentine Gorge Car Park via the old southern alignment of the Larapinta Trail: Section 7. This is the former seventh section of the 223km long Larapinta Trail, starting/finishing at the Ellery Creek South Day Use Area. A relatively shorter and less demanding part of Larapinta, this track optionally takes you to the Serpentine Gorge itself along with great views of the West Macdonnell Range midway. The said gorge is sacred to the Western Arrernte people who call the place Ulpma. As it’s a less known location compared to the popular gorges in the area, you may have a more secluded and tranquilizing experience as you rest and take in the scenery. Although you can’t swim at the waterhole here, the Big Hole along Ellery Creek is quite close to the other trailhead. That permanent waterhole can be the perfect start/finish to the hike. Besides the waterholes, this track gives you an opportunity to spot the local/migrating birds as well as view interesting land formations. Let us begin by acknowledging the Arrernte people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-23.7798449,133.0726859)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Telegraph Terrace, 87 Turn on to 6 then drive for 25 m Continue onto Larapinta Drive, 6 and drive for another 850 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Larapinta Drive, 6 and drive for another 880 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Larapinta Drive, 6 and drive for another 44.3 km Turn right onto Namatjira Drive, 2 and drive for another 41.7 km Turn right and drive for another 1.6 km Keep right and drive for another 75 m Keep left and drive for another 40 m
Finish	(-23.7594664,132.9793467)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the Larapinta Trail Information Shelter in Ellery Creek South Day Use Area (290 metres south of Ellery Creek Big Hole), head towards the toilets with water tanks next to it along the dirt path, moving away from the wooden tent pad. Pass by the toilets to your left and head along the dirt track as it leads you towards Ellery Creek. Cross the creek (bed) and stay on the designated track as it takes you west to continue along Larapinta Trail, S7 Old: Ellery Creek South to Serpentine Gorge.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Ellery Creek Big Hole - West MacDonnell NP (about 35 m back from the start). Find the Larapinta Trail Information at the start. After 30 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left). After another 135 m cross the ford. After another 800 m pass the "Dolomite Walk".
	After another 6 m continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 7. After another 4.9 km pass the "Trig Point". After another 1.9 km cross the ford. After another 1.4 km cross the ford.
	After another 420 m continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 7.
	After another 2.6 km continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 7. After another 50 m pass the water tap (20 m on your left). After another 10 m pass the shelter (20 m on your left). After another 10 m come to the "Serpentine Gorge camp site" (10 m on your left). After another 20 m pass the toilet (25 m on your left). After another 140 m pass the sign (on your right).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional but recommended side trip takes you to the Serpentine Gorge where there is a secluded waterhole sacred to the Western Arrernte people. Veer right before you come to the gorge to get to the lookout that looks over the waterhole and into the gorge. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 3 m (at the intersection of Serpentine Gorge Walk & Larapinta Trail Section 7) turn left, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 7 (a vehicle track). After another 200 m continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 7. After another 295 m come to the "Larapinta Trail Camping" (55 m on your left). Then pass the "Untreated water" (35 m on your left).
	After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 7. After another 25 m cross the ford (about 70 m long) After another 30 m head through/around the gate. About 10 m past the end is a sign. About 20 m past the end is "Serpentine Gorge". About 25 m past the end is "Larapinta Trail Information". About 40 m past the end is a toilet.
	The end.

This optional but recommended side trip takes you to the Serpentine Gorge where there is a secluded waterhole sacred to the Western Arrernte people. Veer right before you come to the gorge to get to the lookout that looks over the waterhole and into the gorge.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Serpentine Gorge Walk & Larapinta Trail Section 7 Start heading along Serpentine Gorge Walk (a vehicle track).
	After another 320 m continue straight, to head along Serpentine Gorge Walk. Keep left. After another 20 m pass the "Serpentine Gorge" (10 m on your right).
	After another 155 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 500 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Larapinta Trail, S7 Old: Ellery Creek South to Serpentine Gorge

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	13 km
Time	6 h to 2 days

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There are 3 on route, on average they are 3.3 km apart with the largest gap of 12.2 km.

Shelter: There are 3 on route, on average they are 3.3 km apart with the largest gap of 12.2 km.

Toilet: There are 3 on route, on average they are 3.3 km apart with the largest gap of 12.2 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Camp site	-36 m	Ellery Creek Big Hole - West MacDonnell NP
Shelter	0 m	Larapinta Trail Information
Toilet	30 m	[toilet]
Shelter	12.2 km	[shelter]
Camp site	12.2 km	Serpentine Gorge camp site
Toilet	12.2 km	[toilet]
Camp site	12.9 km	Larapinta Trail Camping
Shelter	13 km	Larapinta Trail Information
Toilet	13 km	[toilet]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Broome Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
  
  Friday 18 October
  
  Clear.
  
  Mostly clear. The chance of a thunderstorm in the northeast early this evening. Winds northwest to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h.
  
  Saturday 19 October
  
  24°C → 33°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Medium chance of showers in the far north, most likely in the afternoon. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon. Winds northwest to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending northeast to southeasterly in the morning then tending northwest to southwesterly in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 36 to 42.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 7:20am to 3:10pm, UV Index predicted to reach 13 [Extreme]
  
  Sunday 20 October
  
  25°C → 33°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers in the northeast, slight chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds northwest to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h early in the morning then tending northwest to northeasterly in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 35 to 42.
  
  Monday 21 October
  
  25°C → 33°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers in the north, most likely in the afternoon. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming northwest to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 34 to 41.
  
  Tuesday 22 October
  
  25°C → 33°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower in the far north, near zero chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the northwest in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming northwest to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then tending northwest to southwesterly during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 36 to 41.
  
  Wednesday 23 October
  
  26°C → 34°C
  Mostly sunny.
  0% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny.
  
  Thursday 24 October
  
  26°C → 37°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny.
  
  Friday 25 October
  
  26°C → 36°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- NT Parks alerts
  When planning and before starting your trip please check the NT parks alerts pages for anything that may impact on your plans.
  Regions
  Darwin
  Katherine
  Tennant Creek and Barkly
  Alice Springs

Weather Forecast

Alerts