Larapinta Drive

Larapinta Drive is the quintessential outback road trip, slicing through the heart of the Red Centre from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon. This sealed highway (A87) offers a mesmerising journey through the West MacDonnell Ranges, where ochre cliffs, ghost gums, and vast blue skies unfold at every turn. It's not just a route — it's an immersion into Arrernte and Luritja country, with walks, waterholes, and cultural sites that demand you stop and linger.

Highlights & What to See

• Simpsons Gap — a dramatic cleft in the ranges, home to black-footed rock wallabies; best visited in the soft light of early morning or late afternoon.
• Standley Chasm (Angkerle) — a narrow, sheer-walled chasm that glows fiery orange when the sun hits its midday zenith; a short, rewarding walk.
• Ochre Pits — ancient quarry sites where Aboriginal people have sourced ochre for ceremony and art for millennia; interpretative signs explain the cultural significance.
• Serpentine Gorge & Ellery Creek Big Hole — two of the range's most photogenic waterholes, perfect for a cooling dip after a hike (Ellery Creek is especially deep and wide).
• Glen Helen Gorge & Resort — a stunning gorge that catches the sunset colours, with a roadhouse offering cold drinks, meals, and basic accommodation.
• Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park) — the grand finale, where you can tackle the Rim Walk for jaw-dropping views across the canyon's sandstone walls and the Garden of Eden waterhole.

Suggested Time to Spend

Give yourself at least two full days to drive Larapinta Drive one-way from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon (about 250 km). Day one: explore the western MacDonnell Ranges, stopping at Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, and Ellery Creek, then overnight at Glen Helen or a nearby campground. Day two: continue to Kings Canyon via the Mereenie Loop (4WD only; check road conditions) or the sealed route via Stuart Highway and Ernest Giles Road. If you have a third day, add the Rim Walk and a relaxed drive back to Alice Springs.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Alice Springs — the gateway town, with the Royal Flying Doctor Service museum, the School of the Air, and the Araluen Cultural Precinct.
• West MacDonnell National Park — the entire chain of gorges and ranges that Larapinta Drive threads through; extend your trip with walks like the Larapinta Trail sections.
• Kings Canyon / Watarrka National Park — the canyon itself is a must-do; combine with a night at Kings Canyon Resort for sunset views.
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park — about 300 km southwest of Kings Canyon via the Lasseter Highway; allow two more days to see Uluru and the Olgas.
• Finke Gorge National Park — accessible via a 4WD track from near Alice Springs; home to the ancient palm-filled Palm Valley.
• Rainbow Valley — a striking sandstone formation about 100 km south of Alice Springs, glowing multicolour at sunset.

Please check official sources for current details.