Ellery Creek Loop

Starting from the Ellery Creek South Day Use Area, Namatjira, this walk explores the sixth and seventh sections of the Larapinta Trail -- both old & new. Expect a relatively undulating track that offers you panoramic views of Alice Valley and beyond. You'll get great angles of the West MacDonnell Range as well. Keep an eye out for spinifex pigeons and wedge-tailed eagles while you're comparing the old & new tracks to each other. They're among the many species that reside in this area. Early mornings and late afternoons are your best bet to spot them. Enjoy the land formations and the unique ambience of the desert as you make your way through the arid land. The newer shelter at Ellery Creek North features elevated tent pads, a toilet and a water tank (treat before consuming). It can be a great place to spend the night, letting you stargaze without any interruptions, as it is also quite secluded. Although, keep in mind that there's no vehicle access there. 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.

Photo by admin, 2022.

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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 Ellery Creek Big Hole - West MacDonnell NP camp_site) (-23.7798449,133.0726859)
Mode	Car
Directions	From , Alice Springs.

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 east and cross the dirt road as you pass by a brown “Picnic Area - No Camping” sign to your left. Pass through the gap and head along the dirt track that is marked by blue arrows, moving directly away from the dirt road. Follow the said track as you keep the ridgeline to your left to continue along Ellery Creek Loop (counterclockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Larapinta Trail Section 7 Start (a walking track). Ellery Creek Big Hole - West MacDonnell NP (about 35 m back from the start).
	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 turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 50 m turn right.
	After another 35 m (from the Larapinta Trail Section 6) turn left, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 6 (a walking track). After another 35 m cross the ford.
	At the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 6 & Ellery Creek veer left, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 6.
	After another 4.6 km (from the Larapinta Trail Section 6) turn left, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 6.
	After another 3.1 km (from the Larapinta Trail Section 6) continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 6. After another 190 m pass the water tap (7 m on your left).
	From the Larapinta Trail Section 6 turn right. After another 15 m pass the "Ellery Creek North - Larapinta Trailhead Shelter (6/7)" (on your left). After another 25 m pass the toilet (25 m on your right).
	After another 210 m turn right.
	After another 8.7 km cross the ford. Veer left.
	After another 770 m cross the ford. Turn right.
	After another 205 m cross the ford. Continue straight.
	After another 135 m cross the ford. Continue straight.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Take this side trip if you want to camp at Serpentine Gorge Campsite. Toilets, water and USB charging are available. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 75 m (from the Larapinta Trail Section 7) turn sharp left, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 7.
	After another 510 m cross the ford. From the Larapinta Trail Section 7 continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 7.
	After another 1.5 km cross the ford. From the Larapinta Trail Section 7 continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 7. After another 1.9 km pass the "Trig Point" (on your left).
	After another 4.9 km (from the Larapinta Trail Section 7) continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 7. After another 10 m pass the "Dolomite Walk".
	After another 840 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 140 m pass the toilet (6 m on your right). After another 20 m come to "Larapinta Trail Information".
	Continue another 0 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. Find the sign at the start. Find the toilet at the start. After another 15 m pass the sign (60 m on your left). After another 10 m pass the BBQ (15 m on your right). After another 20 m 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).
	After another 145 m come to "Ellery Creek Big Hole". 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.

Take this side trip if you want to camp at Serpentine Gorge Campsite. Toilets, water and USB charging are available.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Larapinta Trail Section 7 Start heading along Larapinta Trail Section 7 (a walking track).
	After another 2.5 km (from the Larapinta Trail Section 7) continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 7. After another 40 m come to a water tap. About 10 m past the end is a camp site. About 15 m past the end is a shelter. About 30 m past the end is a toilet.
	Continue another 0 m to find from the Larapinta Trail Section 7 at the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 2.6 km to the main route.

Terrain

Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Ellery Creek Loop

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	27.9 km
Time	12 h, 2 days to 3 days

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
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 2 on route, on average they are 11 km apart with the largest gap of 20.7 km.

Shelter: There are 5 on route, on average they are 5.6 km apart with the largest gap of 12.7 km.

Toilet: There are 3 on route, on average they are 8.3 km apart with the largest gap of 12.7 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Camp site	-33 m	Ellery Creek Big Hole - West MacDonnell NP
Shelter	15 m + 75 m	Picnic Shelter
Shelter	15 m + 110 m	[shelter]
Shelter	7.9 km	Ellery Creek North - Larapinta Trailhead Shelter (6/7)
Toilet	7.9 km	[toilet]
Camp site	18.1 km + 2.6 km	[camp site]
Shelter	18.1 km + 2.6 km	[shelter]
Toilet	18.1 km + 2.6 km	[toilet]
Toilet	27.9 km	[toilet]
Shelter	27.9 km	Larapinta Trail Information

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