Larapinta Trail, S11: Finke River to Redbank Gorge

Starting from the campsite along Finke River, Macdonnell, this walk takes you to Redbank Gorge via the Larapinta Trail (Section 11), passing through Rocky Bar Gap along the way. This is the eleventh section of the 223km long Larapinta Trail. As you get closer to Mount Sonder (considering you’re coming from the east) it becomes more detailed and stunning. The Hilltop Lookout offers you 360-degree views over the surrounding land. Spend the night here if you’d like to see what Mt Sonder looks like as the sun rises, or make camp at Rocky Bar Gap to have access to water tanks and toilets. The gradient is quite harsh around the lookout yet the track is well made and maintained. Keep in mind that there is no vehicle access to the Finke River trailhead and only high clearance 4WD access to Redbank Gorge trailhead. Also, the camping area at Redbank Gorge requires a fee of $5 per person. 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

Segment	This is part of longer journey and can not be completed on it is own.
Full Journey	Larapinta Trail
Start	At the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 11 & Larapinta Trail Section 10 (-23.6579339,132.6783902)
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 84.4 km Turn sharp right and drive for another 2.5 km Keep left and drive for another 400 m
Finish	(-23.5774963,132.5187757)
Mode (end)	Car (Keep in mind that there is no vehicle access to the Finke River trailhead and only high clearance 4WD access to Redbank Gorge trailhead.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the Larapinta Finke River Campsite, head west and cross the riverbed along the marked dirt track, moving directly away from the campsite. About 770 metres in, keep right at the 3-way intersection to continue along Larapinta Trail, S11: Finke River to Redbank Gorge.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 11 & Larapinta Trail Section 10 Start heading along Larapinta Trail Section 11 (a walking track). Larapinta Trail Information (about 70 m back from the start). There is water tap (about 65 m back from the start). Finke River camp site (about 65 m back from the start). There is a toilet (about 30 m back from the start). After 170 m cross the ford. After another 115 m cross the ford. After another 510 m pass the "Glen Helen Junction".
	After another 9 m (at the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 11 & The Larapinta Trail) veer right, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 11.
	After another 1.4 km continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 11. After another 2.2 km cross the ford. After another 5.6 km come to the "Hilltop Lookout" (9 m on your right). Then come to the camp site (15 m on your right).
	After another 4.4 km veer left, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 11. After another 600 m come to the "Rocky Bar Gap" (7 m on your left).
	Veer right, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 11. After another 40 m pass the water tap (6 m on your left). After another 50 m pass the toilet (50 m on your left). After another 10.8 km pass the sign. At the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 12 & Larapinta Trail Section 11 continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 11-12. After another 270 m cross the ford. After another 100 m come to the "Larapinta Trail Camping" (35 m on your left). Then pass the "Larapinta Trail Water" (35 m on your left).
	Veer right, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 11-12. After another 70 m (at the intersection of Redbank Gorge Walk & Larapinta Trail Section 11-12) continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 11 to 12. After another 75 m come to a toilet. "Larapinta Trail Information". About 15 m past the end is a picnic table. About 20 m past the end is "Redbank Gorge".
	The end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Larapinta Trail, S11: Finke River to Redbank Gorge

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	26.4 km
Time	9 h 30 min 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	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 4 on route, on average they are 5.3 km apart with the largest gap of 11.2 km.

Shelter: There are 2 on route, on average they are 8.8 km apart with the largest gap of 26.4 km.

Toilet: There are 3 on route, on average they are 6.6 km apart with the largest gap of 15.1 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Shelter	-70 m	Larapinta Trail Information
Camp site	-63 m	Finke River camp site
Toilet	-28 m	[toilet]
Camp site	10 km	[camp site]
Camp site	15 km	Rocky Bar Gap
Toilet	15.1 km	[toilet]
Camp site	26.3 km	Larapinta Trail Camping
Toilet	26.4 km	[toilet]
Shelter	26.4 km	Larapinta Trail Information

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Scarborough Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
  
  Tuesday 17 September
  
  Clear.
  
  Clear. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the evening.
  
  Wednesday 18 September
  
  12°C → 23°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming southerly 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day then tending southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:50am to 3:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 8 [Very High]
  
  Thursday 19 September
  
  11°C → 22°C
  Sunny.
  0% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Winds east to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h tending south to southeasterly in the early afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to around 9 with daytime temperatures reaching 20 to 25.
  
  Friday 20 September
  
  10°C → 19°C
  Sunny.
  0% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h turning southerly 20 to 30 km/h during the day then decreasing to 15 to 20 km/h during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to around 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 19 and 22.
  
  Saturday 21 September
  
  10°C → 20°C
  Partly cloudy.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h tending south to southwesterly during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to around 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 19 and 22.
  
  Sunday 22 September
  
  11°C → 21°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Monday 23 September
  
  13°C → 20°C
  Possible shower. Windy.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower. Windy.
  
  Tuesday 24 September
  
  10°C → 19°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  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