Check if a park is open: Alice Springs region
Heat warning
Temperatures across the Northern Territory can be very hot between October and April, it can exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
Check for active heatwave warnings before you visit, go to the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Central Australia has dry heat, and the Top End is humid. Both can cause exhaustion and dehydration.
Find out how to prepare and stay safe in the heat.
Conditions and access to parks in the Northern Territory (NT) can change at short notice.
Extreme weather conditions can be experienced in the region.
When you plan your trip and before you leave home, you should check:
- this page if the park is open
- the road conditions on the Road Report website
- for active weather warnings on the Bureau of Meteorology website.
For more information and condition updates, each area has a phone number you can contact below.
You can also contact Parks and Wildlife Alice Springs by calling 08 8951 8250.
The office is open from Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, except for public holidays.
Phone: 08 8951 8788.
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Springs Desert Park | Open | - | |
| Cafe | Open | 7:30am – 4pm daily | - |
Phone: 08 8951 8250.
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve | Open | ||
| Reserve | Open | - | |
| Historic precinct | Open | - | |
| Cafe | Open | - | |
| Wigley’s Waterhole and Gorge | Open | - | |
| Mountain bike trails | Open | - | |
| Bradshaw Walk | Open | ||
| River Side Walk | Open |
Phone: 08 8951 8250.
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna's Reservoir Conservation Reserve | Closed | No access until further notice. | - |
Phone: 08 8951 8250.
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arltunga Historical Reserve | Open |
Phone: 08 8951 8250
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve | Open | High clearance 4WD only | - |
Phone: 08 8951 8250
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve | Open | - |
Phone: 08 8951 8250
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finke Gorge National Park | Open | ||
| Palm Valley access road | Open | High Clearance 4WD only. | |
| Palm Valley Campground | Open | Access available to High Clearance 4WD only. | |
| Finke River 4WD Route (Boggy Hole Track) | Open | High Clearance 4WD only. | |
| Finke River 4wd route campground | Open | ||
| Boggy Hole | Open | ||
| Boggy Hole Finke River campground | Open | ||
| Kalarranga Walk | Open | ||
| Mparra Walk | Open | ||
| Arankaia Walk, Palm Valley | Open | ||
| Mpulungkinya Walk, Palm Valley | Open |
Phone: 08 8951 8250
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve | Open | High clearance 4WD only. | - |
| Campground | Open | - |
Phone: 08 8951 8250
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illamurta Springs Conservation Reserve | Open | High clearance 4WD only. | - |
Phone: 08 8951 8250
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mac Clark Conservation Reserve | Open | High clearance 4WD only. | - |
Phone: 08 8951 8250
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| N'Dhala Gorge Nature Park | Open | High clearance 4WD only | - |
| Campground | Open | High clearance 4WD only | - |
Phone: 08 8951 8250
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Napwerte / Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve | Open | - |
Phone: 08 8951 8250.
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native Gap Conservation Reserve | Open | - |
Phone: 08 8951 8250
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owen Springs Reserve | Open | High clearance 4WD only | |
| Lawrence Gorge Camping Area | Open | High clearance 4WD only | |
| Redbank Waterhole | Open | High clearance 4WD only |
Phone: 08 8951 8250
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve | Open | 4WD recommended. |
Phone: 08 8951 8250
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby Gap Nature Park | Open | High clearance 4WD only. |
Find out more about Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park.
Before you leave home, check road conditions on the NT Government's Road Report website.
You should also check the status for each activity and site below.
| Activity / Site | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birthday Waterhole | Open | High clearance 4WD only. | |
| Dolomite Walk | Open | ||
| Glen Helen Gorge | Open | ||
| Glen Helen Gorge Walk | Open | ||
| Finke River Two Mile | Open | High clearance 4WD only. | |
| Hugh Gorge | Open | High Clearance 4WD only. | |
| Ochre Pits | Open | ||
| Aranda Walk | Open | ||
| Tyler's Pass | Open | ||
| Roma Gorge | Open | High Clearance 4WD only. | |
| Standley Chasm | Open | A private facility with entrance and camping fees, visit the Standley Chasm website for more details. |
Ellery Creek Big Hole
| Activity / Site | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellery Creek Big Hole | Open | ||
| Ellery Creek Loop Walk | Open |
Ormiston Gorge
| Activity / Site | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ormiston Gorge | Open | ||
| Ormiston Gorge campground | Open | ||
| Ormiston Gorge Kiosk | Closed | April 2025 | |
| Ormiston Pound Walk: Ormiston Gorge | Open |
Ghost Gum
| Activity / Site | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghost Gum Lookout | Open | ||
| Ghost Gum Loop Walk | Open |
Redbank Gorge
| Activity / Site | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redbank Gorge | Open | 4WD recommended. | |
| Redbank Gorge Walk | Open |
Simpsons Gap
| Activity / Site | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simpsons Gap | Open | ||
| Simpsons Gap Bicycle Path | Open | ||
| Woodlands Trail | Open | ||
| Cassia Hill Walk | Open |
Serpentine
| Activity / Site | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serpentine Gorge | Open | ||
| Serpentine Chalet Dam | Open |
Larapinta Trail
| Activity / Site | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larapinta Trail | Open | Heat safety: Hiking the Larapinta Trail is only recommended between April and September. Conditions outside these months can be dangerously hot. It may be safe to plan shorter early morning walks, but careful planning and attention to weather forecasts is required. Read more about staying safe in the heat in parks. Maps and communication: Hikers must be prepared with maps and emergency communication. Download the free Avenza Maps for each section of the trail before you commence your walk. Find out how to get free interactive park maps on your mobile phone and tablet. Trail site bookings: Campground bookings are now made online. Find out how to use the parks booking system. | |
| Section 1 - Telegraph Station to Simpsons Gap | Open | ||
| Section 2 - Simpsons Gap to Jay Creek | Closed | Pending assessment of impacts and damage to infrastructure following recent bushfire | Mid March 2025 |
| Section 3 - Jay Creek to Standley Chasm | Open | Impacted by recent bushfire; temporary signage and flagging tape in use in some areas. Access to Jay Creek via the Hamilton Downs Road is no longer possible. Standley Chasm is a private facility with entrance and camping fees, visit the Standley Chasm website for more details. | |
| Section 4 - Standley Chasm to Birthday Waterhole | Closed | Impacted by recent bushfire; temporary signage and flagging tape in use in some areas. | 1 March 2025 |
| Section 5 - Birthday Waterhole to Hugh Gorge | Closed | Impacted by recent bushfire; temporary signage and flagging tape in use in some areas. | 1 March 2025 |
| Section 6 - Hugh Gorge to Ellery Creek | Closed | Pending assessment of impacts and damage to infrastructure following recent bushfire | Mid March 2025 |
| Section 7 - Ellery Creek to Serpentine Gorge | Open | ||
| Section 8 - Serpentine Gorge to Serpentine Chalet | Open | ||
| Section 9 - Serpentine Chalet to Ormiston Gorge | Open | ||
| Section 10 - Ormiston Gorge to Finke River | Open | ||
| Section 11 - Finke River to Redbank Gorge | Open | ||
| Section 12 - Redbank Gorge to Mt Sonder return | Open |
Phone: 08 8951 8250
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) Conservation Reserve | Open | High clearance 4WD only | - |
Phone: 08 8951 8250
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trephina Gorge Nature Park | Open | ||
| Walks | Open | ||
| Gorge Campground | Open | ||
| Bluff Campground | Open | ||
| Panorama Campground | Open | ||
| John Hayes Rockhole | Open | High clearance 4WD only. |
Phone: 08 8951 8250
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watarrka National Park | Open | - | |
| Kathleen Creek Crossing at Luritja Road | Open | - | |
| Kings Creek Crossing at Luritja Road (Kings Canyon Resort East) | Open | Traffic hazard (minimal sand over the road). Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions. | - |
| Kings Canyon Access Road | Open | - | |
| Kings Canyon Picnic area | Open | - | |
| Kings Canyon Rim Walk | Open | - | |
| South Wall Return Walk | Open | - | |
| Kings Creek Walk | Open | - | |
| Kathleen Springs Walk | Open | - | |
| Giles Track | Open | - |
Phone: 08 8951 8250.
| Park sites | Status | Comments | Forecast opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emily Gap, Yeperenye Nature Park | Open | Swimming at your own risk due to poor visibility | - |
| Jessie Gap, Yeperenye Nature Park | Open | - | |
| Yeperenye Trail | Open | - |
Last updated: 14 February 2025
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