Larapinta Trail, S5: Birthday Waterhole to Hugh Gorge

Starting from the Birthday Waterhole - Section 4/5 Junction (900m north of the actual waterhole), Burt Plain, this walk takes you to Hugh Gorge via the Larapinta Trail (Section 5), exploring Razorback Ridge along the way. This is the fifth section of the 223km long Larapinta Trail. Prepare for an arid journey that can surprise you with shady and even refreshing parts. Your effort will be rewarded with picturesque views and vast valleys with amazing scenery. Remember to pause and experience the feeling of remoteness and serenity as you make your way through the national park. You may find some shelter from the sun whilst hiking through Spencer Gorge. The designated campsite along Fringe Lilly Creek has tent pads, yet you’ll need to handle everything else yourself. You may need to cross bodies of water depending on the season and forecast. Keep in mind that you’ll need a 4WD vehicle with high clearance to access both trailheads. 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.

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Warning
This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills.
Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.

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

Full Journey	Larapinta Trail
Start	At the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 4 & Larapinta Trail (-23.7185171,133.3481562)
Mode	Car (Keep in mind that you’ll need a 4WD vehicle with high clearance to access both trailheads.)
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 9.4 km Keep right onto Larapinta Trail Access and drive for another 12.9 km Turn right and drive for another 1.3 km
Finish	(-23.7025859,133.2593399)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car (Keep in mind that you’ll need a 4WD vehicle with high clearance to access both trailheads.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the Birthday Waterhole - Section 4/5 Junction (900m north of the actual waterhole), head along the dirt track following the signage for “Section 5”, moving away from the “Birthday Waterhole” sign. Keep right as you head northwest, then veer right following the marked track as it hugs the creek (bed) to continue along Larapinta Trail, S5: Birthday Waterhole to Hugh Gorge.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 4 & Larapinta Trail Start heading along Larapinta Trail Section 5 (a walking track). Find the water tap at the start. Find the shelter at the start. Find the toilet at the start. Find the Section 4/5 Junction at the start.
	After another 240 m (at the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 5 & Larapinta Trail) continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 5. After another 4.2 km find the "Windy Saddle" (5 m on your left). Windy Saddle A great spot to take a break and take in the views. After another 5.5 km find the "Rocky Saddle" (on your right). Rocky Saddle After another 1.6 km pass the "Hugh Junction". After another 50 m find the "Fringe Lilly Creek Campsite" (on your left). Fringe Lilly Creek Campsite A basic campsite that has tent pads, yet it lacks water and toilet facilites. You may get lucky and find some water along the creek but make sure you treat the water well before drinking. After another 45 m cross the ford. After another 150 m cross the ford. After another 3.6 km pass the water tap (7 m on your right). After another 10 m come to "Hugh Gorge Larapinta Trail Camp Site".
	The end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Larapinta Trail, S5: Birthday Waterhole to Hugh Gorge

Grading

	Class 5/6 Very challenging
Length	15.3 km
Time	9 h to 2 days

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	High level of bushwalking experience recommended (5/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Campsite: There are 2 on route, on average they are 5.1 km apart with the largest gap of 11.6 km.

Shelter: There are 2 on route, on average they are 5.1 km apart with the largest gap of 15.3 km.

Toilet: There is one 15 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Shelter	8 m	[shelter]
Toilet	15 m	[toilet]
Camp site	15 m	Section 4/5 Junction
Campsite	11.6 km	Fringe Lilly Creek Campsite
Shelter	15.4 km	Hugh Gorge Larapinta Trail Camp Site

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Sydney Olympic Park Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Thursday 19 September
  
  Clear.
  
  Clear. Winds westerly 20 to 30 km/h becoming light in the evening.
  
  Friday 20 September
  
  9°C → 25°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:50am to 2:40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 6 [High]
  
  Saturday 21 September
  
  9°C → 24°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Sunday 22 September
  
  9°C → 25°C
  Partly cloudy.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Monday 23 September
  
  9°C → 28°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds.
  
  Tuesday 24 September
  
  10°C → 28°C
  Partly cloudy.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Wednesday 25 September
  
  14°C → 29°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 6mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds northerly 20 to 30 km/h turning westerly 15 to 25 km/h later.
  
  Thursday 26 September
  
  11°C → 19°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h tending southerly 25 to 35 km/h during the day.
  
  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