Larapinta Trail, S1: Telegraph Station to Simpsons Gap

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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

Full Journey	Larapinta Trail
Start	(-23.6717846,133.8850785)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Stuart Highway, 87 Turn on to then drive for 10 m Continue onto Herbert Heritage Drive and drive for another 1.3 km Turn right and drive for another 290 m Turn right and drive for another 260 m
Finish	(-23.6785843,133.7176157)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car

Track Notes

Getting started
From the car park at the end of Herbert Heritage Drive (1.17km northeast of Stuart Highway), head towards the sheltered trailhead marked by the “Larapinta Trail Information” sign along the narrow paved cycleway. Cross the road, go through the said shelter and join the wide dirt track as you pass by a brown signpost to your left. Stay on the designated track as you follow the blue triangular markers to continue along Larapinta Trail, S1: Telegraph Station to Simpsons Gap.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. There is a car park (about 7 m back from the start). After another 90 m continue straight. After another 15 m veer left.
	After another 9 m veer right, to head along Cemetery Walk. After another 25 m pass the "Larapinta Trail Information" (5 m on your left). After another 370 m pass the cemetery (on your left).
	After another 85 m (at the intersection of Cemetery Walk & Larapinta Trail Section 1) continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 1. After another 1.5 km continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 1. After another 2.2 km cross the ford. After another 440 m (at the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 1 & Wigley Waterhole track) continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 1 (a vehicle track).
	After another 65 m (at the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 1 & Wigley Waterhole track) continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 1 (a walking track). Keep left and cross the road.
	After another 1.7 km continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 1. After another 1.7 km (at the intersection of West MacDonell MTB Track & Larapinta Trail Section 1) continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 1. After another 3 km continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 1.
	After another 380 m continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 1. After another 2.4 km pass the toilet (25 m on your left). Then come to the "Wallaby Gap" (6 m on your left).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you to the Wallaby Gap along the creek bed. Expect 10 minutes of moving time out & back. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 1. After another 90 m cross the ford. After another 1 km cross the ford. After another 550 m cross the ford. After another 1.9 km cross the ford. After another 115 m continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 1.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to the Scorpion Pool where you can see some scorpions --hence the name-- and spot some birdlife as well. Expect 10-15 minutes of moving time out & back. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 60 m continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 1. After another 50 m cross the ford.
	After another 860 m continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 1.
	After another 1.5 km veer right, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 1. After another 2.4 km find the "Hat Hill Saddle" (6 m on your right). Hat Hill Saddle Hat Hill Saddle This scenic point offer you great southerly views over the surrounding land, especially around sunrise/sunset. + - This scenic point offer you great southerly views over the surrounding land, especially around sunrise/sunset. Then find the "Hat Hill Saddle Campsite" (5 m on your right). Hat Hill Saddle Campsite Hat Hill Saddle Campsite This campsite is often used by people hiking the Larapinta Trail even though it is not a designated campsite and has no water & facilites. The exceptional views over the hill makes for great sunsets/sunrises though. + - This campsite is often used by people hiking the Larapinta Trail even though it is not a designated campsite and has no water & facilites. The exceptional views over the hill makes for great sunsets/sunrises though. After another 1.7 km cross the ford (about 50 m long) After another 165 m cross the ford (about 30 m long) After another 30 m come to the "Larapinta Walkers Campsite" (130 m on your left).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you to the permanent waterhole along Roe Creek at Simpsons Gap. You can't swim in the waterhole, but the possibility of seeing a black-footed rock wallaby in this peaceful place can make the 25-30 minutes you'll spend worthwhile. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 105 m (at the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 1 & Darken Drive) continue straight. After another 30 m to find the "Larapinta Trail Information". About 25 m past the end is a toilet.
	The end.

This optional side trip takes you to the permanent waterhole along Roe Creek at Simpsons Gap. You can't swim in the waterhole, but the possibility of seeing a black-footed rock wallaby in this peaceful place can make the 25-30 minutes you'll spend worthwhile.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Darken Drive & Larapinta Trail Section 1 Start (a service road). After 40 m pass the toilet (60 m on your left). After another 40 m to find the "Simpsons Gap".
	Continue straight. After another 55 m pass the "Simpsons Gap" (10 m on your right). Then pass the "Simpsons Gap" (10 m on your right). After another 350 m come to "Simpsons Gap Waterhole". Simpsons Gap Waterhole Simpsons Gap Waterhole This permanent waterhole is home to black-footed rock wallabies along with other wildlife. Unfortunately, you can not swim in the waterhole. + - This permanent waterhole is home to black-footed rock wallabies along with other wildlife. Unfortunately, you can not swim in the waterhole.
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 480 m to the main route.

This little side trip takes you to the Scorpion Pool where you can see some scorpions --hence the name-- and spot some birdlife as well. Expect 10-15 minutes of moving time out & back.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 290 m come to "Scorpion Pool". Scorpion Pool Scorpion Pool This shaded waterhole surrounded by red rocks is known for its scorpions --hence the name-- but it can surprise you with some lovely bird species such as the Diamond Firetail and even a falcon. + - This shaded waterhole surrounded by red rocks is known for its scorpions --hence the name-- but it can surprise you with some lovely bird species such as the Diamond Firetail and even a falcon.
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 290 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 290 m come to "Scorpion Pool".

Scorpion Pool

This shaded waterhole surrounded by red rocks is known for its scorpions --hence the name-- but it can surprise you with some lovely bird species such as the Diamond Firetail and even a falcon.

+

-

This shaded waterhole surrounded by red rocks is known for its scorpions --hence the name-- but it can surprise you with some lovely bird species such as the Diamond Firetail and even a falcon.

The end.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 290 m to the main route.

This optional side trip takes you to the Wallaby Gap along the creek bed. Expect 10 minutes of moving time out & back.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 285 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 285 m to the main route.

Terrain

Larapinta Trail, S1: Telegraph Station to Simpsons Gap

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	24.5 km
Time	8 h to 2 days

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
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 6.1 km apart with the largest gap of 13.9 km.

Shelter: There are 3 on route, on average they are 6.2 km apart with the largest gap of 24.4 km.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 8.2 km apart with the largest gap of 13.9 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Shelter	130 m	Larapinta Trail Information
Camp site	13.9 km	Wallaby Gap
Toilet	13.9 km	[toilet]
Campsite	22.4 km	Hat Hill Saddle Campsite
Camp site	24.3 km	Larapinta Walkers Campsite
Shelter	24.4 km + 130 m	Simpsons Gap
Shelter	24.5 km	Larapinta Trail Information
Toilet	24.5 km	[toilet]

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