Walks, Talks and Trails
Information for School Groups | Alternative Camp Sites | Trail Shelters | Water Supplies
Groups on the Trail
If your walking group exceeds 8 members you are required to contact Parks and Wildlife with a trip plan and size of group. This will be posted on the Current Conditions page for the benefit of other walkers.
Information for School Groups
If you are planning a walk on the Larapinta Trail with a school group then please refer to the following information. This information will be updated from time to time.
- Information for School Groups (pdf 151Kb)
In some places it is possible for groups to have their own campsite as an alternative to sharing with independent walkers. This is made easier if the group has their own transport.
Here are some recommended campsites including a brief description:
| Location | Description | Facilities | Bookings and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
Simpsons Gap. Sections 1 & 2 |
There is a designated school camp located 4km from the Gap. | Picnic shelters, firepit, shower, toilets and free gas barbecue. | School groups have free use of the camp and other users pay $3.30 per person. Bookings are required. Phone the Simpsons Gap Ranger Station on (08) 8955 0310. |
Old Hamilton Downs. Homestead Sections 2 & 3 |
This privately owned facility is an alternative to camping at Jay Creek. Located 4.5km from the Jay Creek Trailhead. | Accommodation, camping, kitchen, toilets and showers. | Fees apply. Advanced bookings are required. Contact (08) 8956 8613 for details. |
Standley Chasm. Sections 3 & 4 |
Privately owned and operated. | Kiosk and toilets. | Entry and camping fees apply. Contact (08) 8956 7440 for more details. |
Birthday Waterhole & Hugh Gorge. Sections 4, 5 & 6 |
It is preferred that groups camp at Birthday Waterhole. If your group does camp at Hugh Gorge then pick an area in the creek before Hugh Gorge. | N/A | Free. No bookings required. |
Ellery Creek Big Hole. Sections 6 & 7 |
Use of the main campsite. | Picnic shelters, toilets, communal fire pit, free gas barbecues . | Camping fees apply. No bookings required. |
Serpentine Chalet Bush Camp. Sections 8 & 9 |
1.3km from Serpentine Chalet Dam Trailhead to the first of eight campsites. | Fire pit only. | Free. No bookings required. |
Ormiston Gorge. Sections 9 & 10 |
Designated coach camping area. | Free gas barbecues, access to a shower and toilet block. | Camping fees apply. Bookings required. Phone the Ormiston Gorge Rangers on (08) 8956 7799. |
Glen Helen Resort. Sections 10 & 11 |
This privately owned facility is an alternative to camping at Finke River. | A grassed camping area and other accommodation is available. | Fees apply. Contact (08) 8956 7489 for more details. |
Finke Two Mile. Sections 10 & 11 |
This picturesque bush camping area is an alternative to the Finke River Trailhead (see Trail Shelter information below). | N/A | Free. No bookings required. |
Redbank Gorge. Sections 11 & 12 |
There is a designated coach camping area at the Woodland campground 2km from the Trailhead. | Toilets, firepits, picnic tables and gas barbecues. | Camping fees apply. No bookings required. |
All other locations require independent walkers and groups to camp at the same designated Larapinta Trail campsite.
There are two Trail Shelters available on high use sections of the Trail at Jay Creek (Section 3/4) and Finke River (Section 10/11). Each shelter has a free gas cooker, toilet, water tank and sleeping platform to be shared amongst all Trail users. There is room for tents to be pitched around the shelters.
The shelters are only for walkers without vehicle support. All groups with vehicle support should camp at Glen Helen Resort or Finke Two Mile (see above).
If you are using the shelters please use the following guidelines:
- Independent walkers (7 people or less) have priority to use the shelters. If the shelter is unoccupied after 6pm larger groups can settle in for the night.
- Consider the space you are using. Try not to spread out your belongings if the shelter is busy.
- Do not leave rubbish in the storage lockers
- Respect the privacy, peace and quiet of other walkers at all times.
- Please clean up before you leave. Brooms are supplied to sweep the sleeping platform.
- If you notice a problem, please report it to Rangers at your earliest convenience.
All vehicle supported groups are required to supply their own water, rather than use the Ranger maintained water tanks at Trailheads. This will help to ensure that the tanks don’t run dry for independent walkers in between scheduled refills. Vehicle supported groups walking several sections of the Trail can arrange with Rangers to refill water containers at the Simpsons Gap and Ormiston Gorge Ranger Stations.
Please report any faulty tap, empty tank or any other issue of immediate concern to Rangers upon arrival at the nearest Ranger Station.
If your group is not going to have vehicle support and arranging your own water supplies is not practical, please contact the Parks and Wildlife Commission prior to commencing your walk so that we can make alternative arrangements.
