Ellery Creek Big Hole

About 90 kilometres west of Alice Springs along the Larapinta Drive, Ellery Creek Big Hole is one of the West MacDonnell Ranges’ most beloved swimming holes – a deep, permanent waterhole framed by towering red quartzite cliffs and ghost gums. The contrast of cool, tea-coloured water against the fiery desert landscape is striking, and the surrounding gorge offers short walks that reveal ancient rock formations and surprising biodiversity. It’s a classic outback stop for a refreshing dip and a picnic, but also a place with deep significance for the local Arrernte people, who have lived here for tens of thousands of years.

Highlights & What to See

• The Swimming Hole: Plunge into the deep, clear water – it’s chilly year-round but utterly invigorating after a hot drive. The pool is flanked by smooth rock slabs perfect for sunbaking.
• Ellery Creek Gorge Walk: A 3.5 km loop track that climbs the gorge rim for panoramic views over the waterhole and the surrounding spinifex-covered hills. Look for river red gums and the calls of zebra finches.
• Dolomite & Quartzite Formations: The cliffs are composed of ancient marine sediments, and keen eyes can spot ripple marks and stromatolite fossils in the rocks – evidence of a sea that existed here 800 million years ago.
• Birdwatching & Wildlife: The permanent water attracts a surprising variety of birds, including budgies, honeyeaters, and the occasional black-footed rock-wallaby on the cliffs.
• Arrernte Cultural Significance: The area is part of the dreaming stories of the local Arrernte people – take time to appreciate this as a living cultural landscape, not just a swimming spot.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend 1–2 hours here, which is enough for a swim and the shorter gorge walk. If you want to do the full loop walk and relax by the water, allow half a day. Ellery Creek Big Hole works beautifully as a lunch stop on a self-drive day trip from Alice Springs along the Larapinta Drive – combine it with other West MacDonnell highlights like Standley Chasm or Ochre Pits.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye): A dramatic narrow gorge that is best visited around midday when sunlight illuminates the red walls – about 20 minutes’ drive east.
• Ochre Pits: A culturally significant site where Aboriginal people have sourced ochre for thousands of years – just 15 minutes west of Ellery Creek.
• Serpentine Gorge: A quieter gorge with a short walk to a lookout over the ranges – 10 minutes west.
• Ormiston Gorge & Pound: A stunning waterhole and one of the best day walks in the region, the 7.5 km Ormiston Pound Walk – 25 minutes further west.
• Glen Helen Gorge: The westernmost attraction on the Larapinta Drive, with a permanent waterhole and a resort for lunch – 35 minutes from Ellery Creek.
• Alice Springs: The hub for supplies, accommodation, and the Alice Springs Desert Park – about 90 minutes east.

Please check official sources for current details.