Ellery Creek Big Hole from Alice Springs: Red Centre swimming hole
The Ellery Creek Big Hole in the West MacDonnell National Park is a 90km drive from Alice Springs. This Red Centre swimming hole is accessible in a two wheel drive vehicle.
Ellery Creek Big Hole is one of several stunning swimming holes in the Red Centre. It’s in the West MacDonnell National Park to the west of Alice Springs, and has been carved out by centuries of big floods.
Ellery Creek Big Hole is surrounded by the tall red cliffs of the West MacDonnell Ranges (also known as Tjoritja). The sandy Ellery Creek ostensibly feeds the waterhole, but only when the Northern Territory rains come down heavily.
Getting to Ellery Creek Big Hole from Alice Springs
Many parts of the West MacDonnell Ranges are inaccessible in a conventional two wheel drive vehicle, but this is not the case with Ellery Creek Big Hole. There’s a gravel road suitable for two wheel drive vehicles branching off Namatjira Drive (aka State Route 2). Coming from Alice Springs, Namatjira Drive branches off Larapinta Drive. The total journey from Alice Springs to Ellery Creek Big Hole is 90km long, and should take about an hour and five minutes.
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The local Aboriginal people call this waterhole Udepata. Because it is a permanent water source, it was a special meeting place for the Aranda people. It also features on their Dreaming trails.
For visitors, however, Ellery Creek Big Hole is a splendid place for a swim in the hot outback. Be warned, however: The water can be shockingly cold.
Ellery Creek Big Hole walks
The Ellery Creek Big Hole is a five minute walk from the car park, down a wheelchair accessible path. Should you wish to see more of the surrounding area, the looping 3m Dolomite Walk head along a marked path, taking in the strange geological processes that have made the site.
The Dolomite Walk returns to the car park along a section of the Larapinta Trail, the long distance walking trail through the West MacDonnell Ranges. The trailhead for stages six and seven of the Larapinta Trail are here.
Camping at Ellery Creek Big Hole
There’s also a camp site at Ellery Creek Big Hole – fees apply. Daytrippers, however, can use the barbecue facilities and picnic area. For more information, visit the parks section of the Northern Territory government website.
Other highlights of the West MacDonnell Ranges include Standley Chasm and Ormiston Gorge.
Best Alice Springs accommodation choices
These are the best Alice Springs accommodation picks:
- For a solid, relatively affordable motel: Elkira Court Motel.
- For villas, gardens and a lagoon-style pool: Desert Palms.
- For backpackers: Alice’s Secret Travellers Inn.
- For a kid-friendly holiday park: Discovery Parks Alice Springs.
- For business-friendly serviced apartments: Quest Alice Springs.
Seven essential Alice Springs activities to add to your trip.
- See imposing red rock cliffs and stunning swimming holes – on a West MacDonnell Ranges day trip.
- Glide across the changing morning colours of the outback – on a hot air balloon ride.
- See how education works across the outback – at the School of the Air.
- Take in the epic outback scenery – on a scenic flight.
- See the outback wildlife come to life – on a Desert Park nocturnal tour.
- Try camel rides through the red dirt landscape – and learn the weird history of Aussie camels.
- See stunning, often unvisited outback sites – on a Palm Valley 4wd tour.
More Australian national parks
Take the Bruny Island ferry to Bruny Island from Kettering, Tasmania.
Swim in the waterfall pool at Finch Hatton Gorge in Eungella National Park, Queensland.
Walk to Wineglass Bay in the Freycinet National Park, Tasmania – or take a Wineglass Bay cruise.
Go camping and birdwatching at Cape Palmerston on the drive from Rockhampton to Mackay.
Go walking and 4WDing in the Little Desert National Park, Victoria.