Ellery Creek Dolomite Circuit

Starting from the Larapinta Trail Information Shelter in Ellery Creek South Day Use Area, Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park, Ellery Creek Dolomite Circuit takes you through the hills covered with spinifex (depending on the time), revealing the geological narrative of an archaic inland sea. Along the way, informative signs provide insights into the area's fascinating geological features and local plant life. The track is marked with maroon-coloured arrows and leads to the popular swimming and picnic spot known as Ellery Creek Big Hole. You'll be visiting Snake Rock as well, which is a good place to take some pictures. Toilets and a camp site with a picnic spot nearby are available. A park pass is required for visitors to the NT to access this park. 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	From the Larapinta Trail Section 7 (near the Larapinta Trail Information information) (-23.7798449,133.0726859)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Stuart Highway, Alice Springs. Turn on to then drive for 25 m Continue onto Larapinta Drive and drive for another 850 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Larapinta Drive and drive for another 880 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Larapinta Drive and drive for another 44.3 km Turn right onto Namatjira Drive 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 right and drive for another 55 m Turn left and drive for another 35 m

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 them 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 Ellery Creek Dolomite Circuit (counterclockwise). Follow the maroon arrows, not the blue ones.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Larapinta Trail Section 7 Start heading along Larapinta Trail Section 7 (a walking track). Then pass the "Larapinta Trail Information". Find the toilet at the start. After another 65 m pass the sign.
	After another 65 m cross the ford. At the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 7 & Ellery Creek continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 7. After another 65 m pass the sign. After another 350 m pass the sign. After another 320 m pass the sign. After another 115 m pass the "Dolomite Walk".
	After another 4 m (from the Larapinta Trail Section 7) veer left.
	After another 940 m come to the viewpoint (15 m on your right).
	After another 510 m veer left. After another 115 m come to the "Ellery Creek Big Hole - West MacDonnell NP" (6 m on your left).
	Continue straight. After another 30 m continue straight. After another 45 m come to the camp site (about 60 m ahead).
	From the Larapinta Trail Section 6 turn left. After another 15 m continue straight.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to the Big Hole along Ellery Creek. This ancient waterhole is an exceptional spot to take a break and cool off. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 20 m turn left. Continue another 15 m to find from the Larapinta Trail Section 7 at the end.

This little side trip takes you to the Big Hole along Ellery Creek. This ancient waterhole is an exceptional spot to take a break and cool off.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 55 m pass the BBQ (15 m on your right). After another 25 m pass the picnic table (10 m on your right). Then pass the "Picnic Shelter" (6 m on your right).
	After another 9 m (from the Ellery Creek Walk) turn left, to head along Ellery Creek Walk (a footpath). After another 20 m pass the shelter (on your left). Then pass the sign (on your left).
	After another 145 m come to "Ellery Creek Big Hole". Ellery Creek Big Hole Continue another 0 m to find from the Ellery Creek Walk at the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 255 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Ellery Creek Dolomite Circuit

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	2.6 km
Time	45 min to 1 h 15 min

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

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There are 2 on route, on average they are 880 m apart with the largest gap of 2.6 km.

Shelter: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1 km apart with the largest gap of 2.7 km.

Toilet: There is one 40 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	40 m	[toilet]
Camp site	2.6 km	Ellery Creek Big Hole - West MacDonnell NP
Camp site	2.6 km	[camp site]
Shelter	2.6 km + 75 m	Picnic Shelter
Shelter	2.6 km + 110 m	[shelter]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track
Get more information
| Ellery Creek Big Hole | Ellery Creek Big Hole factsheet | Tjoritja / West MacDonnell NP | Get a park pass
Videos

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Yarra Glen Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Wednesday 30 April
  
  Mostly clear.
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers near the Otways, near zero chance elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h.
  
  Thursday 1 May
  
  3°C → 19°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning frost near the Yarra Valley. Slight chance of a shower near the Otways in the early morning. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the late afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 9 with daytime temperatures reaching between 15 and 19.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 11:00am to 1:40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 3 [Moderate]
  
  Friday 2 May
  
  2°C → 21°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  The chance of morning frost about the ranges. The chance of morning fog. Sunny afternoon. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 17 and 20.
  
  Saturday 3 May
  
  3°C → 22°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. The chance of fog and frost near the Yarra Valley in the morning. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 18 and 22.
  
  Sunday 4 May
  
  5°C → 23°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Winds northerly 25 to 35 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 5 and 9 with daytime temperatures reaching between 19 and 23.
  
  Monday 5 May
  
  11°C → 24°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Tuesday 6 May
  
  13°C → 23°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Wednesday 7 May
  
  10°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  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