West MacDonnell Ranges camping: Best campsites & what to know

Camping in the West MacDonnell Ranges is one of the best ways to explore Tjoritja, with spectacular campsites scattered among red-rock gorges, ancient riverbeds and some seriously impressive swimming holes.

Stretching west from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park is made for a camping road trip. Some campsites are easily accessible by 2WD, while others require a 4WD and a willingness to leave a few creature comforts behind.

Having camped through the West Macs with my kids, I definitely have a few favourites. So, starting with the campsite I loved most, here are some of the best places to camp in the West MacDonnell Ranges, plus what you need to know before you go.

Best camping spots in the West MacDonnell Ranges

Finke 2 Mile

If you’re looking for a more remote West MacDonnell Ranges camping experience, Finke 2 Mile is hard to beat. This bush campground sits on the Finke River, around 130km west of Alice Springs, and you’ll need a 4WD to get there.

The lack of facilities and 4WD access also mean it’s generally much quieter than some of the easier-to-reach campgrounds in Tjoritja. In fact, when I camped here for a few nights with the kids, I accidentally busted an elderly couple having a naked cuddle in the river. They were clearly not expecting other campers! Living the life, right?!

This is proper bush camping. You’ll be camping on the Finke River with ghost gums and flocks of budgerigars for company, and there’s not much you need to do other than slow down, relax and enjoy being somewhere that feels wonderfully removed from civilisation.

Finke 2 Mile has no facilities, so you’ll need to be completely self-sufficient and bring your own water. Camper trailers are permitted, but caravans and motorhomes are not. A high-clearance 4WD is recommended for access, and conditions can change after rain.

Unlike when I first camped here, you can no longer simply turn up and pay via an honesty box. Finke 2 Mile is a Category B campground and you now need to book and pay online through the NT Parks booking system before you arrive. If you’re visiting from interstate, you’ll also need an NT Parks Pass.

Facilities: None. Campers must be self-sufficient.
Vehicle access: 4WD; high-clearance 4WD recommended.
Camper trailers: Yes.
Caravans and motorhomes: No.
Bookings: Required online before arrival >> Book Here

Ellery Creek Big Hole

Ellery Creek Big Hole is one of the easiest West MacDonnell Ranges campgrounds to reach, sitting around 80km west of Alice Springs via Larapinta and Namatjira Drives. It’s accessible by 2WD, although the final 2km is unsealed, and you can camp here with a tent, camper trailer, caravan or motorhome.

The waterhole itself is really quite beautiful, cutting through towering red cliffs and giving you a teaser of what’s yet to come as you travel further through the West Macs. It’s also a popular swimming spot, although don’t be fooled by the Central Australian heat – the water can be seriously cold.

If you have time, tackle the 3km Dolomite Walk, a loop that takes you through some of the fascinating geology surrounding Ellery Creek Big Hole.

Camping here is more developed than at Finke 2 Mile, with toilets, gas barbecues and fire pits provided. You’ll still need to bring your own drinking water. Campsites must now be booked and paid for online before you arrive.

Facilities: Toilets, gas BBQs and fire pits.
Vehicle access: 2WD; final 2km is unsealed.
Camper trailers: Yes.
Caravans and motorhomes: Yes.
Bookings: Required online before arrival.

Ormiston Gorge

Omiston Gorge — Ormiston Gorge ©️ Tourism NT/The Salty Travellers

Ormiston Gorge is one of the most photogenic waterholes in the West Macs and can be found around 135km west of Alice Springs via Larapinta and Namatjira Drives. It’s also one of the more comfortable places to camp, with hot showers, toilets and gas BBQs – although you’ll sacrifice a little privacy for those creature comforts. The campsites are relatively close together compared with the more remote bush camping options.

The swimming hole is stunning and can be found around 500 metres from the visitor centre. The water can be extremely cold, even when it’s scorching outside, so don’t assume you’re in for a warm swim just because you’re in Central Australia.

There’s plenty to do here besides swim. Take the short walk up to the lookout for views over the gorge or, if you’re up for something more substantial, tackle the Ormiston Pound Walk. Just make sure you check current conditions before setting out, as sections of the longer walks can be affected by water levels.

Ormiston Gorge is 2WD accessible and you can camp here with a tent, camper trailer, caravan or motorhome. There’s also a seasonal kiosk where you can pick up food and drinks, although opening hours vary.

Campsites must now be booked and paid for online before you arrive. You’ll also need to bring your own drinking water, and fires aren’t permitted at Ormiston Gorge.

Facilities: Toilets, showers, gas BBQs and seasonal kiosk.
Vehicle access: 2WD; sealed road access.
Camper trailers: Yes.
Caravans and motorhomes: Yes.
Bookings: Required online before arrival.

Redbank Gorge

Redbank Gorge is one of my favourite spots in the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Why?

Because if you hike in with a floaty of some sort, you can wade up the swimming hole through the narrow gorge and float back down just for fun! It’s absolutely stunning and, when you finally reach the gorge itself, you really feel like you’ve adventured into somewhere remote and special.

The downside? You don’t camp beside the waterhole. From the car park, you’ll need to walk along the creek bed to reach the gorge and permanent waterhole. Under normal conditions it’s a relatively straightforward walk, but don’t assume that’s always going to be the case.

When we visited after recent flooding, what would normally have been a much easier walk took us more than an hour. Floodwaters had washed away much of the sand, leaving us dodging deep pools and scrambling over rocks and boulders for much of the way. It was a lot of fun, but it’s a good reminder of how quickly conditions can change out here.

There are two campgrounds at Redbank Gorge: Woodland and Ridgetop. Both are basic bush campgrounds accessed by 4WD and suitable for tents and camper trailers, but not caravans or motorhomes.

You’ll need to bring your own drinking water and be prepared to be largely self-sufficient. Campsites must now be booked and paid for online before you arrive.

Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables and fire pits at both campgrounds; gas BBQs at Woodland.
Vehicle access: 4WD.
Camper trailers: Yes.
Caravans and motorhomes: No.
Bookings: Required online before arrival.

Glen Helen Gorge

If you’ve reached the point in your West MacDonnell Ranges camping trip where you’re craving a hot shower, washing machine and a proper meal, Glen Helen is the place to pull up.

Around 132km west of Alice Springs, Discovery Resorts – Glen Helen sits beside Glen Helen Gorge, where the Finke River cuts through the ranges beneath towering red cliffs. Unlike the national park campgrounds above, this is a commercial campground, so you get considerably more in the way of creature comforts.

There are powered and unpowered campsites suitable for tents, camper trailers, caravans and campervans, along with motel-style accommodation if you really want a night away from the swag. Campers have access to hot showers, a camp kitchen, BBQs, laundry facilities and the resort swimming pool.

There’s also a restaurant and bar, plus fuel and basic supplies available onsite. Basically, this is where you’ll head when you’re sick of roughing it, need to run a load of washing and are hankering for a bistro meal.

Facilities: Toilets, hot showers, camp kitchen, BBQs, laundry, swimming pool, restaurant/bar, shop and fuel.
Vehicle access: 2WD; sealed road access.
Camper trailers: Yes.
Caravans and campervans: Yes.
Bookings: Available directly through Discovery Resorts – Glen Helen.

Do you need to book West MacDonnell Ranges campsites?

Yes. If you’re camping at a designated campsite in Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park, you’ll need to book and pay online before you arrive. You can no longer simply turn up and pay your camping fees at an honesty box.

It’s worth sorting your campsites before leaving Alice Springs rather than relying on having phone reception once you’re out there. If you’re visiting from interstate, you’ll also need an NT Parks Visitor Pass, which is separate from your camping fees.

For current campsite availability, fees and bookings, check the NT Parks booking system before you travel >> Book Here

How much does camping in Tjoritja cost?

Camping fees vary depending on the campground and the facilities provided. Most of the basic national park campgrounds are relatively inexpensive, while privately operated options such as Glen Helen set their own rates.

Rather than relying on prices listed here, check the NT Parks booking system for current camping fees when you book. Remember that interstate visitors also need an NT Parks Visitor Pass, which is an additional cost.

Do you need a 4WD to camp in the West MacDonnell Ranges?

No. You can explore plenty of the West MacDonnell Ranges in a 2WD, and some of the most popular campgrounds, including Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge, are 2WD accessible.

A 4WD opens up more camping options, particularly if you’re looking for a quieter bush camping experience. Finke 2 Mile requires a high-clearance 4WD, while Redbank Gorge is also accessed by 4WD.

Whichever way you’re travelling, check current road and park conditions before heading out. Heavy rain can quickly change conditions on unsealed roads and access tracks in Central Australia.

Can you take a caravan into the West MacDonnell Ranges?

Yes, but not every campground is suitable for caravans.

Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge allow caravans, making them two of the easiest national park options for caravanners. Redbank Gorge’s Woodland Campground also permits caravans, while Finke 2 Mile is better suited to tents and off-road camper trailers.

Glen Helen is another good option for caravanners, particularly if you want powered sites and more facilities.

Best time to camp in the West MacDonnell Ranges

Most people will recommend the West MacDonell Ranges from April to September as it gets stinking hot in Central Australia during the warmer months. The wet season tends to run from November to April.

However, the water holes are notoriously chilly so unless you enjoy hypothermia, I would personally stick to March to April and September to October when it’s still hot enough to jump in the chilly waterholes.

How many days do you need in the West MacDonnell Ranges?

You can see some of the West MacDonnell Ranges on a day trip from Alice Springs, but that rather defeats the purpose of an article about camping!

I’d allow at least three days if you want to camp your way through the West Macs without rushing. Four or five days gives you more time to swim, tackle some of the walks and actually enjoy your campsites rather than packing up and moving on every morning.

If you’ve got longer, even better. This is one road trip where slowing down is part of the appeal.

Getting to the West MacDonnell Ranges from Alice Springs

Alice Springs is the main jumping-off point for a West MacDonnell Ranges camping trip. From town, head west along Larapinta Drive before joining Namatjira Drive, which provides access to many of the park’s major gorges, waterholes and campgrounds.

The main road is sealed, but some campground access roads and tracks are unsealed or require a 4WD. Fuel up in Alice Springs and check current road conditions before you leave, particularly after rain.

Is camping in the West MacDonnell Ranges worth it?

Absolutely. Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park is one of those places that’s best explored slowly, and camping gives you the chance to do exactly that.

Whether you’re chasing the relative comforts of Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen or would rather disappear down a 4WD track to somewhere like Finke 2 Mile, there’s a campsite to suit just about every kind of road trip.

For me, though, it’s the swimming holes, red-rock gorges and those quiet evenings back at camp that make the West Macs so memorable. Give yourself a few days, don’t try to rush it and, if you’re heading to Redbank Gorge, don’t forget the floaty.