Larapinta Trail, S6 Old: Hugh Gorge to Ellery Creek South

Starting from the designated campground along Hugh Gorge, Burt Plain, this walk takes you to Ellery Creek South, exploring the vast Alice Valley along the way. This is the former sixth section of the 223km long Larapinta Trail, starting/finishing at the Ellery Creek South Day Use Area. A relatively undulating part of Larapinta, this section is known for its long straightforward valley tracks and interesting birdlife. The birds you might come across vary from spinifex pigeons to wedge-tailed eagles. Try to be sneaky and keep an eye out especially during the early mornings and late afternoons to increase your chance of seeing them. This section is one of the longest ones, yet the relatively forgiving gradient makes it bearable. You can camp at Rocky Gully or Ghost Gum Flat along the way, but keep in mind that the Ghost Gum Flat campsite doesn’t have a water tank. The Big Hole (Udepata) along Ellery Creek is an exceptional spot to take a break. Cool off in this ancient waterhole and make camp if you’d like to. Keep in mind that you will need a high clearance 4WD vehicle to get to the Hugh Gorge trailhead. 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
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

Start	(-23.7025859,133.2593399)
Mode	Car (Keep in mind that you will need a high clearance 4WD vehicle to get to the Hugh Gorge trailhead.)
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 22.8 km
Finish	(-23.7798449,133.0726859)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car

Track Notes

Getting started
From Hugh Gorge Campground, Burt Plain, head southwest along the dirt track, moving directly away from the creek bed/gorge. Stay on the designated track and cross two creek beds to continue along Larapinta Trail, S6 Old: Hugh Gorge to Ellery Creek South.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Hugh Gorge Larapinta Trail Camp Site. After 25 m pass the water tap (on your right). After another 125 m pass the "Hugh Gorge Campsite" (20 m on your left). After another 4.1 km come to the "Hugh View" (on your left). After another 2.7 km pass a seat (6 m on your left). Then come to the "Ghost Gum Flat" (on your right).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This side trip takes you to Rocky Gully Campsite, which is located on the bed of a usually dry stream. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 8 km (at the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 6 & Larapinta Trail) turn right, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 6. After another 2.4 km cross the ford. After another 610 m cross the ford. After another 230 m cross the ford. After another 3.3 km cross the ford. After another 1.4 km cross the ford.
	After another 2 km continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 6. After another 4.5 km cross the ford.
	After another 30 m turn right. After another 50 m come to the "Ellery Creek Big Hole - West MacDonnell NP" (50 m on your left).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to the Big Hole along Ellery Creek. This anicent 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. Turn left. After another 15 m come to "Larapinta Trail Information". About 30 m past the end is a toilet.
	The end.

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

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the toilet at the start. After another 35 m pass the BBQ (15 m on your right). Then pass the "Picnic Shelter" (7 m on your right).
	After another 10 m turn left, to head along Ellery Creek Walk. After another 20 m pass the shelter (on your left). After another 140 m come to "Ellery Creek Big Hole". Ellery Creek Big Hole Ellery Creek Big Hole + -
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 250 m to the main route.

This side trip takes you to Rocky Gully Campsite, which is located on the bed of a usually dry stream.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 6 & Larapinta Trail Start heading along Larapinta Trail (a walking track). After 280 m pass the toilet (8 m on your right). Then come to the "Rocky Gully camp site" (15 m on your left). After another 15 m pass the water tap (on your right). After another 360 m come to "Rocky Gully group camp site".
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 660 m to the main route.

Terrain

Larapinta Trail, S6 Old: Hugh Gorge to Ellery Creek South

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	29.3 km
Time	11 h 30 min 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	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
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 6.2 km apart with the largest gap of 15.1 km.

Shelter: There are 5 on route, on average they are 5 km apart with the largest gap of 29.2 km.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 10 km apart with the largest gap of 15.2 km.

Seat: There is one 6.9 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Shelter	-4 m	Hugh Gorge Larapinta Trail Camp Site
Shelter	150 m	Hugh Gorge Campsite
Seat	6.9 km	[seat]
Camp site	6.9 km	Ghost Gum Flat
Toilet	14.9 km + 280 m	[toilet]
Camp site	14.9 km + 280 m	Rocky Gully camp site
Camp site	14.9 km + 680 m	Rocky Gully group camp site
Shelter	29.3 km + 75 m	Picnic Shelter
Shelter	29.3 km + 110 m	[shelter]
Camp site	29.3 km	Ellery Creek Big Hole - West MacDonnell NP
Shelter	29.3 km	Larapinta Trail Information
Toilet	29.3 km	[toilet]

Weather Forecast for {{location.name}}

Alerts and Closures