Wild Swimming in the Red Centre

By Jessica Palmer

Wild swimming in the red centre of Australia involves sand in your bathers, floating on an inner tube, and the hot sun on your face. Sounds like a typical day at the beach, right?

Although most families head to the Red Centre of Australia to tick Uluru of their bucket list in the Uluru-Watarrka National Park, there is another National Park much closer to Alice Springs that is utterly amazing and well worth the visit ... The West MacDonnell National Park.

The West MacDonnell Ranges are not only dramaticly beautiful, but are also home to four awesome swimming holes that challenge the notion of your usual crowded summer holidays on the coast. Social distancing? Not a problem here!

Ellery Creek Big Hole

Swimming at Ellery Creek Big Hole

Tourism NT/Kyle Hunter

Located approximately 90km West of Alice Springs, Ellery Creek Big Hole is a well known spot for wild swimming in the Red Centre.

The water hole is surrounded by red tinged cliffs and like the other water holes in the West MacDonnell Ranges, the water is chilly. It’s a popular picnic spot for both visitors and locals due to its proximity to Alice Springs.

Ormiston Gorge

Relaxing at Ormiston Gorge

Tourism NT/Jackson Groves

Ormiston Gorge is an extremely picturesque water hole approximately 135km West of Alice Springs.

This swimming hole is possibly the most photogenic and really showcases the fascinating geology of the ranges. There is a lot of sand to play in and rocks to hop over for families with kids, and lots of space to stretch out on a towel with a book under the shade of the glorious white gum trees. Ormiston Gorge is ruggedly Australian and picture perfect!

Families on a camping holiday will appreciate the night sky from the basic camp-grounds at Ormiston Gorge. Away from the light pollution of the modern world, the night time sky is a memorable viewing experience here.

While you wait for night time to arrive, there are a few walks around the gorge that really showcawse the beautiful scenery. The Ghost Gum Lookout walk is popular, taking approximately 20 min one way.

Glen Helen Gorge

Swimming at Glen Helen Gorge

Tourism NT/Mitchell Cox

Located near Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge is also home to Glen Helen Lodge, the only roofed accommodation located in the West MacDonnell National Park.

A break in the ranges has allowed the Finke River to flow through and with towering sandstone cliffs dominating the landscape, it’s a lovely spot to stop for the night. If camping is not your thing, this is a great place to base yourself for a couple of days to explore the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Redbank Gorge

Redbank Gorge is located approximately 156km West of Alice Springs and is wild swimming in the Red Centre at it’s best! It’s not quite as pretty as Ormiston Gorge, but the walk into the waterhole is scenic and due to its location, it’s possible to get the whole place to yourself. The unique thing about Redbank Gorge is that if you go to the effort to carry an inner tube or some sort of novelty floaty in, you can swim up the narrow chasm and then use it to float back down.

Swimming at Ormiston Gorge

Tourism NT/Henry Brydon

The Red Centre of Australia is chock full of stunning scenery, culture and natural wonder. It’s a great destination for families!

With the Northern Territory set to opens its borders on 17th July, 2020 and the continued need to practice social distancing, there is no better time to visit!

WHERE TO STAY

Camping is available at Ellery Creek, Ormiston Gorge and Redbank Gorge for a fee (paid on site) on a first-come first-served basis. Private camping and motel room style accommodation is available at Glen Helen Lodge

HOW TO GET THERE

Qantas operates flights into Alice Springs. Vehicles can be hired through Thrifty. Ellery Creek, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen are accessible by 2WD vehicle. A 4WD is recommended to access Redbank Gorge.