Redbank Gorge factsheet - Northern Territory · gorge and chasm is a refuge for many threatened...
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Located in the Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park and nestled at the base of Mount Sonder (Rutjupma, pronounced ‘roo-chip-ma’), this stunning gorge and chasm is a refuge for many threatened plant and animal species. For visitors travelling on the Red Centre Way, Redbank Gorge also provides a refreshing stop and a chance to stretch your legs on a short walk. Access Redbank Gorge is located 156 km west of Alice Springs. Access is via Larapinta and Namatjira Drives, both sealed roads. The 5 km access road from the Redbank Gorge turn- off to Redbank Gorge is unsealed and a high clearance vehicle is recommended. All roads can be impassable for a short period after heavy rain. When to visit The Park is accessible all year round. The cooler months (April to October) are the most pleasant. What to do Camping - There are basic camping facilities available at two different locations - The Woodland Camping Area and the Ridgetop Camping Area. Both have toilets, firepits and picnic tables, the Woodland Camping area also has free gas barbecues. Spaces are limited and operate on a first come, first served basis. Camping fees apply and are payable onsite. Swimming - The Gorge has a near-permanent waterhole situated 1km from the Carpark. Swimmers should be aware that most waterholes are extremely cold. It is recommended that swimmers use a flotation device to assist them in swimming through the Gorge. Prolonged exposure, even during summer, can result in hypothermia. Beware of submerged logs and rocks. Do not jump, dive or swing into the water. Walking - A 2 km, 1.5 hour return walk from the Carpark alongside the creekbed will lead visitors to Redbank Gorge. The walk is unmarked but starts on a well defined track before dropping into the sandy creek bed. On a warm day walking in the sand is tiring and visitors should take and drink plenty of water. The track is rocky at times and care should be taken when walking. Section 12 of the Larapinta Trail starts and finishes at the Redbank Gorge Carkpark. Walkers also have the option to start or finish Section 11 of the Trail from this point. Both of these Sections are graded ‘hard’ and should only be attempted by fit people with previous bushwalking experience. Careful planning and preparation is required. Visit www.nt.gov.au/parks or contact the Parks and Wildlife Regional Office or Tourism Central Australia for details. Notify a reliable person of your intended walk plans. Ensure they know to contact police if you do not return by the arranged date. Walkers should carry a satellite phone or personal locator beacon. There is a limited supply of drinking water at Redbank Safety and Comfort • Observe park safety signs. • Carry and drink plenty of water. • Wear a shady hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, suitable clothing and footwear. • Avoid strenuous activity during the heat of the day. • Consider your health and fitness when choosing a walk. • Swim only where recommended. Please Remember • Keep to designated roads and tracks. • All historic, cultural items and wildlife are protected. • Fires are permitted in fireplaces only. • Collect firewood before entering the park. • Bins are not provided, please take your rubbish with you. • Pets are not permitted in the park. • Generators are not permitted. Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory Ormiston Gorge Ranger Station Regional Office - Arid Zone Research Institute Ph: (08) 8956 7799 South Stuart Highway ALICE SPRINGS NT 0870 PO Box 1120 ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871 www.nt.gov.au/parks Ph: (08) 8951 8250 Fax: (08) 8951 8290 Fact Sheet Redbank Gorge Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park Gorge, provided for Larapinta Trail Walkers only. All tank and surface water should be treated before drinking. Other visitors planning to camp should carry their drinking water requirements with them. Visitors who want to explore the sheltered cold waters of Redbank Gorge should use a flotation device.
Transcript of Redbank Gorge factsheet - Northern Territory · gorge and chasm is a refuge for many threatened...
Located in the Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park and nestled at the base of Mount Sonder (Rutjupma, pronounced ‘roo-chip-ma’), this stunning gorge and chasm is a refuge for many threatened plant and animal species. For visitors travelling on the Red Centre Way, Redbank Gorge also provides a refreshing stop and a chance to stretch your legs on a short walk.
AccessRedbank Gorge is located 156 km west of Alice Springs. Access is via Larapinta and Namatjira Drives, both sealed roads. The 5 km access road from the Redbank Gorge turn-off to Redbank Gorge is unsealed and a high clearance vehicle is recommended. All roads can be impassable for a short period after heavy rain.
When to visitThe Park is accessible all year round. The cooler months (April to October) are the most pleasant.
What to doCamping - There are basic camping facilities available
at two different locations - The Woodland Camping Area and the Ridgetop Camping Area. Both have toilets, firepits and picnic tables, the Woodland Camping area also has free gas barbecues. Spaces are limited and operate on a first come, first served basis. Camping fees apply and are payable onsite.
Swimming - The Gorge has a near-permanent waterhole
situated 1km from the Carpark. Swimmers should be aware that
most waterholes are extremely cold. It is recommended that swimmers use a flotation device to assist them in swimming through the Gorge. Prolonged exposure, even during summer, can result in hypothermia. Beware of submerged logs and rocks. Do not jump, dive or swing into the water.
Walking - A 2 km, 1.5 hour return walk from the
Carpark alongside the creekbed will lead visitors to Redbank Gorge. The walk is unmarked but starts on a well defined track before dropping into the sandy creek bed. On a warm day walking in the sand is tiring and visitors should take and drink plenty of water. The track is rocky at times and care should be taken when walking.
Section 12 of the Larapinta Trail starts and
finishes at the Redbank Gorge Carkpark. Walkers also have the option to start or finish Section 11 of the Trail from this point. Both of these Sections are graded ‘hard’ and should only be attempted by fit people with previous bushwalking experience. Careful planning and preparation is required. Visit www.nt.gov.au/parks or contact the Parks and Wildlife Regional Office or Tourism Central Australia for details. Notify a reliable person of your intended walk plans. Ensure they know to contact police if you do not return by the arranged date. Walkers should carry a satellite phone or personal locator beacon.
There is a limited supply of drinking water at Redbank
Safety and Comfort• Observe park safety signs.• Carry and drink plenty of water.• Wear a shady hat, sunscreen,
insect repellent, suitableclothing and footwear.
• Avoid strenuous activity duringthe heat of the day.
• Consider your health and fitnesswhen choosing a walk.
• Swim only where recommended.
Please Remember• Keep to designated roads and
tracks.• All historic, cultural items and
wildlife are protected.• Fires are permitted in fireplaces
only.• Collect firewood before entering
the park.• Bins are not provided, please
take your rubbish with you.• Pets are not permitted in the
park.• Generators are not permitted.
Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Northern TerritoryOrmiston Gorge Ranger Station Regional Office - Arid Zone Research Institute Ph: (08) 8956 7799 South Stuart Highway ALICE SPRINGS NT 0870
PO Box 1120 ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871www.nt.gov.au/parks Ph: (08) 8951 8250 Fax: (08) 8951 8290
Fac
t S
hee
tRedbank Gorge Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park
Gorge, provided for Larapinta Trail Walkers only. All tank and surface water should be treated before drinking. Other visitors planning to camp should carry their drinking water requirements with them.
Visitors who want to explore the sheltered cold waters of Redbank Gorge should use
a flotation device.
Redbank Gorge - Part of the Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park
A/05/2018PWCNT Fact SheetFor more information visit www.nt.gov.au/parks or contact Tourism Central Australia 1800 645 199 or (08) 8952 5800 www.discovercentralaustralia.com
Redbank Gorge
Park Map
0 10.5
Kilometres
Larapinta Trail (Section 12)Day Walk
To Namatjira Drive
Larapinta Trail (Section 11)Overnight Walk
Saddle
Redbank Gorge - Facilities & Activities
Short Walks
Gas BBQ Drinking Water
Toilets
Picnic Facilities
Overnight WalksParking Area
Swimming
Drainage
4WD Track
Lookout
Viewing Walk10 minutes return
Information
Ridgetop Camping Area
Woodland Camping Area
Redbank Gorge Walk1.5 hours return
Wood BBQ
Walking Track
Larapinta Trail
Redbank Gorge Carpark
Water tankLarapinta Trail walkers only
AliceSprings
0 2010
Kilometres
To Darwin
Tnorala(Gosse Bluff)ConservationReserve
Palm Valley
Finke GorgeNational Park
Owen Springs Reserve
Hamilton DownsYouth Camp
Owen Springs Ranger Station
To Adelaide
To Halls Creek (WA)
To Watarrka viaLarapinta Drive (Red Centre Way)
Alice SpringsTelegraphStationHistoricalReserve
Mt Zeil
Mt Razorback
Mt Giles
MtGillen
Stuar
t
Highw
ay
Stu
art
Hig
hway
Tanami
Road
John Flynn'sGraveHistoricalReserve
Mt Sonder
Simpsons GapBicycle Path
Serpentine Gorge
Mt Sonder
Hermannsburg
Information
Ranger Station
Parking Areas
Toilets
Picnic Facilities
Drinking Water
Sealed Road
Unsealed Road
4WD Road
Larapinta Trail
Bicycle Path
Park Boundary
Tjoritja / West MacDonnellNational Park
Off Park Locality
On Park Locality
Mountain
Tylers PassLookout
2 Mile 4WDCamping
Serpentine Chalet
Simpsons GapRanger Station
Alice SpringsDesert Park
Simpsons Gap
Glen Helen
Standley Chasm
On Park Facilities
Off Park FacilitiesPrivately operated
Lookouts
Swimming
Bicycle Path
Wheelchair Access
Fuel
Gas BBQs
Wood BBQs
No Fires
Camping
Short Walks
Overnight Walks
Meals
Drinks
Accommodation
Caravan Sites
Medical Clinic
Redbank Gorge
Ormiston Gorge
Ochre Pits
Standley ChasmHugh Gorge
BirthdayWaterhole
Larapinta Drive (Red C
entre
Way)
Namatjira Drive (Red Centre Way)Ellery Creek Big Hole
Larapinta Drive (Red Centre Way)
Tjoritja / West MacDonnellNational Park
Lookout
Simpsons Gap Ranger Office
