Larapinta Drive

Larapinta Drive is the red-dirt artery that connects Alice Springs to the rugged western MacDonnell Ranges, offering a classic Outback road trip through ancient landscapes, ghost gums, and ochre-hued gorges. This sealed road unfurls past some of the Northern Territory's most accessible yet dramatic scenery, with lookouts, walking trails, and cultural sites that reveal the deep time of the country. It's the kind of drive where you'll want to pull over at every turn – not just for the views, but for the stories embedded in the land.

Highlights & What to See

• Simpsons Gap: A dramatic cleft in the range where permanent waterholes attract black-footed rock-wallabies; best visited in the soft light of early morning or late afternoon.
• Standley Chasm: A sheer-walled chasm that narrows to just a few metres, lit up by fiery midday sun; a short, easy walk leads to the heart of the gorge.
• Ochre Pits: Ancient quarry sites where Aboriginal people have sourced ochre for tens of thousands of years – the layered colours of the cliffs tell a story of trade and ceremony.
• Ellery Creek Big Hole: A permanent waterhole ringed by towering red cliffs, perfect for a cooling swim after a walk through the surrounding ghost-gum woodland.
• Serpentine Gorge: A quieter, more intimate gorge with a lookout that offers sweeping views over the range; the walk to the waterhole is short but rewarding.
• Glen Helen Gorge: At the western end of the drive, this gorge opens onto a wide waterhole that reflects the bluffs – a great spot for a picnic and a sunset beer at the nearby lodge.

Suggested Time to Spend

Give yourself a full day to drive the entire 130-odd kilometres from Alice Springs to Glen Helen Gorge, stopping at each highlight along the way. If you're short on time, focus on the eastern section – Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm and Ellery Creek – which can be done in a half-day loop from town. For a more immersive experience, camp overnight at one of the bush campgrounds or stay at Glen Helen Lodge, allowing you to catch sunrise and sunset over the ranges.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Alice Springs: The gateway town, with its desert-adapted wildlife park, art galleries and the historic Telegraph Station – start or end your drive here.
• West MacDonnell National Park: The drive itself cuts through this park, but consider detours to the more remote gorges and the Larapinta Trail trailheads for multi-day walks.
• Ormiston Gorge & Pound: A spectacular amphitheatre of rock with a permanent waterhole and excellent walking trails – about 20 km west of Glen Helen.
• Finke Gorge National Park: Home to the ancient Palm Valley, where a remnant rainforest of red cabbage palms survives – accessible via 4WD from Hermannsburg, south of Larapinta Drive.
• Kings Canyon: A longer detour (about 3 hours from Glen Helen) to the mighty sandstone walls of Watarrka National Park – a must-do if you have extra days.

Please check official sources for current details.