The guide to visiting Trephina Gorge Nature Park

When it comes to pristine waterholes, you are spoiled for choice in the Red Centre. But if you can only visit one spot in Central Australia, make it Trephina Gorge Nature Park – home to sheer quartzite cliffs, a stunning rockhole, and the largest ghost gum in Australia. 

Situated in the East MacDonnell Ranges, Trephina Gorge is the perfect distance from Alice Springs for a day trip – or if you want to stay the night you can choose from one of three camping spots to sleep under the desert sky. This lesser-known nature park spanning 85 kilometres is significant to the Eastern Arrernte people because it is part of the sacred Wallaby Dreaming Trail, and was also once part of the early settlement of the Red Centre.

From the must-do walks to the best camping spots, here’s your guide to visiting Trephina Gorge Nature Park.

The striated red rockface at Trephina Gorge Nature Park. (Image: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught)

Things to do at Trephina Gorge Nature Park

Home to two gorges, Trephina and John Hayes, the park boasts walks for every age group and fitness level. Spend your days here scrambling up to lookouts, finding Australia’s largest ghost gum (best viewed in afternoon light), swimming, camping, and taking day trips to nearby N’Dhala Gorge Nature Park, Corrobboree Rock Conservation Reserve, and Arltunga Historical Reserve. 

Walks at Trephina Gorge

To warm up the legs, kick off your Trephina Gorge adventure with the Gorge Stroll, an easy 20-minute jaunt that takes you into Trephina Gorge along a sandy creek bed to the waterhole.  

To take it up a notch, opt for one of the three longer walks: Trephina Gorge Walk, Panorama Walk (both of which take one hour), or the challenging Ridgetop Walk to John Hayes Rockhole, which will keep you busy for four to five hours.  

Both the Trephina Gorge Walk and Panorama Walk will immerse you in gorge scenery from the creek level and showcase the gorge from both rims. Here you will see river red gums lining the sandy creek and ghost gums growing precariously on the rocky ledges above the waterhole. Look out for blank-flanked rock wallabies and birds, including Pacific herons, black-fronted plovers and fairy martins. The slightly longer Panorama Walk will take you on an uphill stretch to a high point where you will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views.  

For experienced walkers, the 9km one-way Ridgetop Walk to John Hayes Rockhole offers spectacular views of the rugged East MacDonnell Ranges. Keep an eye out for the rare Thozet’s Box (Eucalyptus thozetiana) and wildflowers, including holly grevilleas, desert hibiscus, mulla mulla, hop bushes and cat’s tails.  

Trephina Gorge Natura Park ghostly gums — Ghostly gums stand to attention throughout the nature park. (Image: Northern Territory Government)

John Hayes Rockhole

John Hayes Rockhole is a popular swimming spot with icy cold water. However, during prolonged dry periods, the waterholes at Trephina Gorge and John Hayes Rockhole can evaporate, leaving only a sandy creekbed. 

From John Hayes Rockhole, you can set out on the 3.5km loop Chain of Ponds Walk. It starts with an easy 20-minute walk to the rim of the narrow gorge, offering spectacular views and continues on with some difficult climbing and scrambling that’s well worth the effort for the stunning views.  

Trephina Gorge Camping

At the Trephina Bluff, Trephina Gorge and Panorama campgrounds you will find toilets, picnic tables, drinking water, communal firepits, and gas barbecues. John Hayes Rockhole Campground has the same facilities, except for the drinking water.

 Day trips from Trephina Gorge

If you’re camping at Trephina Gorge, you can use your camp as a base to visit nearby Arltunga, the site of Central Australia’s first town, N’Dhala Gorge, a cultural treasure with 6,000 rock carvings, and the remote Ruby Gap Nature Park, the site of Central Australia’s ruby boom.  

Arltunga Historical Reserve Trephina Gorge Nature Park Northern Territory — Arltunga Historical Reserve. (Image: Tourism NT/Sean Scott)

The Northern Territory is made for road trips, and this one hits all the highlights.

Craggy mountain ranges, inviting waterholes, ochre soil: the landscape of the Northern Territory is asking to be explored by road and foot. There are many iconic road trips to choose from here, but none so all-encompassing than the roughly 3000 kilometres of sealed road that make up Explorer’s Way.

Spend 14 days (or more, to really make the most of it) driving this route from Adelaide, hitting the NT near the small settlement of Kulgera before later finishing in Darwin. Along the way, you’ll find nearly all the territory’s most iconic sights.

Discover some of the top highlights that make Explorer’s Way one of Australia’s most incredible road trips.

1. Alice Springs

echidna at Alice Springs Desert Park — See the locals at Alice Springs Desert Park. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT)

Recently hitting the big screen again with the story of The Kanagroo Sanctuary , there’s a lot to surprise you in Alice Springs.

Three distinct desert habitats – desert rivers, sand country and woodland – are recreated over 1300 hectares at Alice Springs Desert Park . Time your visit for a presentation or a free bird show.

Later, turn your attention to the skies above, taking a dive into local astronomy at Earth Sanctuary . You’ll find a range of experiences, from a 90-minute toe-dip into the stars through to an overnight adventure.

Alice Springs packs a surprising punch with its tasty dining options, including pub grub and unique brews at Alice Springs Brewing Co , tapas and pizza at Epilogue Lounge and tasty cafe fare at the quirky Page 27 .

2. Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park

woman standing at Ormiston Gorge — Dive into Ormiston Gorge. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Dom and Jesso)

Beginning 15 minutes from Alice Springs and stretching across 161 kilometres, Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park is packed with striking ancient landscapes and inviting water holes.

Visit Standley Chasm – traditionally known as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning ‘Gap of Water’ – to take in its bold red and orange hues, and to observe the diverse bird species, lizards and wallabies that call it home.

Cool off in one of several picturesque natural swimming holes, like Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge.

3. Uluru & Kata Tjuta

three women looking at Kata Tjuta at sunset — Explore Kata Tjuta. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT)

Visiting the Cultural Heart of Australia is something everybody should experience. There are so many side trips in the Red Centre you could easily spend a week here, but to get the most out of a short time, park the car then get out on foot.

Take the 10-kilometre Base Walk around the entirety of Uluru or join a free, ranger-guided Mala Walk along part of the base, learning about Tjukurpa (creation stories) and geology as you go.

For a change of pace, wait until nightfall and wander through the iconic Field of Light display by celebrated artist Bruce Munro, or see the Wintjiri Wiru lightshow that shares the ancient Mala story using drones, lasers and projections.

4. Tennant Creek

pson looking at Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) northern territory — See the ancient granite boulders of Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles). (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Dom And Jesso)

Tennant Creek was Australia’s third-largest gold mining town in the 1930s, and visitors can discover that history at Battery Hill Mining Centre – and even try their own hand at gold fossicking.

For a completely different side of history, pop into Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre , which preserves and shares Warumungu culture through art, performance, a museum and more.

Just outside town, find the ancient granite boulders of Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles). A site integral to important stories held by the Warumungu, Kaytetye, Warlpiri and Alyawarra peoples, the boulders appear to almost have dropped out of the sky and seemingly continue to defy gravity.

5. Mataranka

aerial of people swimming in bitter springs northern territory — Dive into Bitter Springs. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Ben Savage)

A town made famous by the novel We of the Never Never by Jeannie Gunn (and a movie of the same name), Mataranka is also known for its sandy-bottomed thermal pool, Bitter Springs , within Elsey National Park. Follow a 500-metre loop track around these spring-fed pools that stay a toasty 34°C year-round, before choosing your favourite spot to dive into. Enjoy the local birdlife while you relax.

Elsewhere in the park, find historical sites, several scenic walks and Roper River, which is perfect for boating and fishing.

6. Nitmiluk National Park

Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Cruise — Join a sunset cruise with Nabilil Dreaming. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Lachlan Gardiner)

Nitmiluk National Park is sandstone country, with 13 stunning gorges and plenty of waterfalls waiting to be explored.

One of the most beautiful spots can be found along the 62-kilometre Jatbula Trail, a five-to-six day bushwalk that follows an ancient Jawoyn songline from Nitmiluk Gorge to Leliyn (Edith Falls). Numbers are restricted and book out quickly, so be sure to plan well ahead. Not up for the hike? Drive right up to the falls and enjoy a dip without the challenge.

Elsewhere, explore Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Paddle a kayak through the river running through the canyon, or save your energy on a Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Cruise , discovering the stories and ways of the Jawoyn people while enjoying a candlelit dinner as the cliffs around you shift colour and glow with the changing daylight.

Continue your cultural journey at local art centres like Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Art & Culture Centre or Mimi Aboriginal Art & Craft .

7. Litchfield National Park

cathedral termite mounds in Litchfield national park — Be awed by giant cathedral termite mounds. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ As We Wander)

Just over an hour’s drive from Darwin lies the beautiful Litchfield National Park. It’s famous for stunning waterfalls and swimming holes, including Buley Rockhole, Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Tjaynera Falls.

Here you’ll also find hundreds of giant – and magnetic – cathedral termite mounds that are truly a sight to see. Ageing up to 100 years old, you won’t find mounds like these outside the northern parts of Australia. Stroll along the accessible boardwalk to see them up close.

8. Darwin

darwin street art — Darwin art is streets ahead. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Mark Fitzpatrick)

This list wouldn’t be complete without the territory’s capital city: Darwin. Situate yourself upon arrival with a stroll through the main streets, admiring the many art murals by local, interstate and international artists. They’re all remnants of the annual Darwin Street Art Festival , one of Australia’s longest running street art festivals.

Stop to recharge along Darwin’s Waterfront Precinct , an area of delectable restaurants, public swimming pools and free events. And, of course, it would be wrong to leave the city without enjoying a bowl of laksa at Mindil Beach Sunset Market as the sun goes down.

Learn more and start planning your Explorer’s Way road trip at northernterritory.com/drive.