Ellery Creek Big Hole
Ellery Creek Big Hole
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
136 reviews
Excellent
94
Very good
38
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
JElliot32
New South Wales, Australia4,048 contributions
Jun 2021
Ellery Creek 'Big Hole' is indeed a big waterhole and also very picturesque. If you are travelling through the West Macs it is most definitely worth a stopover. There are picnic and toilet facilities, though no kiosk. Our group of 12 arrived here after a long day's hike on the Larapinta trail. Four were game enough to plunge straight in for a swim. Only one stayed in for more than about 20 seconds. Just putting my feet in was quite enough for me. In mid-June the water is icy cold.
Written July 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roadtripping Nanny
Newcastle, Australia586 contributions
Sep 2022
A lovely drive west of Alice Springs, about 55 minutes, on a sealed road you’ll find a two km unsealed road in good condition, leading to the large car park, and toilets. A two minute walk finds you at one of the most beautiful places you’ll see. You can swim here, or sit and relax or just look at the stunning view. It’s definitely worth seeing !
Written October 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan C
Melbourne, Australia1,535 contributions
Dec 2019
Despite the lack of water that has shrunk the big hole to three seperate pools the main pool is still large, deep and full of water. It offers a good opportunity for swimming. Surrounded by rocks that allow opportunities for jumping (if you are careful) this oasis was a beautiful relief from the December heat and a highlight of our visit for my sons.
The last two kilometres to Ellery Big Hole are gravel and a bit rough but easily traversable for two wheel drive vehicles. There is car parking and toilets though the later wasn’t obvious and would appear to be some distance from the water itself. Most people used the change to swimwear under towel approach. There were about twenty people there when we visited around 2pm in December. Camping is permitted but we were just there on a day trip from Alice Springs.
The last two kilometres to Ellery Big Hole are gravel and a bit rough but easily traversable for two wheel drive vehicles. There is car parking and toilets though the later wasn’t obvious and would appear to be some distance from the water itself. Most people used the change to swimwear under towel approach. There were about twenty people there when we visited around 2pm in December. Camping is permitted but we were just there on a day trip from Alice Springs.
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark D
Melbourne, Australia710 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
Came for a swim with my grandson and adult children a few family groups all enjoying the water. Very steep bank on some sides but an easy beach area to enter the water not too many rocks ground a little uneven once you leave the path from the car park. Reasonably close to Alice Springs still a good 45minutes drive depending on what side of town you are coming from. Certainly worth it the water was lovely and not too crowed.
Written February 3, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelbug291
Bribie Island, Australia920 contributions
Apr 2020
Such a hot day, and just beautiful sitting on the grass looking out over the water. The creek was at maximum capacity after a lot of rain....very unusual. Unfortunately, that also made the foreshore very muddy, so we were not encouraged to go in swimming being on a tour bus. Never the less, a lovely experience
Written August 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark E
Whitianga, New Zealand803 contributions
Sep 2024 • Friends
Stunning place, well worth the drive out from Alice Springs.
Great swimming spot.
I worked in Alice 45years ago and this was the weekend spot in summer for a swim and BBQ.
Stunning scenery.
Great swimming spot.
I worked in Alice 45years ago and this was the weekend spot in summer for a swim and BBQ.
Stunning scenery.
Written November 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Belinda E
Brisbane, Australia575 contributions
Oct 2021
Nice, easy walk in to a big, beautiful water hole. There are toilets and a lovely grassy bank which is a wonderful place for a picnic or to read a book. The water is ice cold even when the weather is hot. My family all swam here and thoroughly enjoyed it although it was definitely on the chilly side (even on a 38 degree October day).
It got quite windy swimming up the end in the rock formations. Not sure if that was just the day we visited but that end was best suited for stronger swimmers when we were there.
It got quite windy swimming up the end in the rock formations. Not sure if that was just the day we visited but that end was best suited for stronger swimmers when we were there.
Written December 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janine P
Red Deer, Canada3,317 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We had visited several stops along the West Macdonnell ranges and this one did not disappoint. Just 2 km unsealed road off highway. Free parking and easy walk in on shale path or on the sand. Scenic with some shade from trees and easy walk in to the water. Good family spot, but may want to bring your own shade to be closer to the water.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimcam13
Maitland, Australia19 contributions
Nov 2020
What a gorgeous place. Water is very cool & refreshing. You can swim right through to the other side. Very deep - great to take a pool noodle to float on. Also great place for a picnic. We went here twice on our 9 day visit to Alice Springs.
Written November 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1TraveltheWorld
Alice Springs, Australia12,173 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
An 88km drive from Alice Springs, is Ellery Creek Big Hole and is the third major attraction heading west along the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Follow Larapinta Drive for 45km and then turn right onto Namatjira Drive towards Glen Helen, which is now classed as the “Red Centre Way.”
Drive another 40km, and you will see the turnoff towards Ellery Creek on the right hand side.
A further 2km of dirt road, (which can be a little rough at times, but still 2WD accessible), will take you to the carpark.
In the past, this area was just a great permanent swimming hole for the locals and some tourists.
It has now become a major attraction, especially due to the expansion over the years with upgrades to toilets, showers and camping facilities.
This is also the only permanent waterhole that I have never known to go stagnant throughout the whole year, except for very rare extreme conditions and occasion's of drought, no matter what you may read in any traveller articles!
A great cool swim, in a sandy bottom gorge, after a long trek through the ranges is definitely worth it.
Beware...it is almost always, cold, even on hotter days.
Fact sheet:
http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/9951/ElleryCreekBigHole_001.pdf
Follow Larapinta Drive for 45km and then turn right onto Namatjira Drive towards Glen Helen, which is now classed as the “Red Centre Way.”
Drive another 40km, and you will see the turnoff towards Ellery Creek on the right hand side.
A further 2km of dirt road, (which can be a little rough at times, but still 2WD accessible), will take you to the carpark.
In the past, this area was just a great permanent swimming hole for the locals and some tourists.
It has now become a major attraction, especially due to the expansion over the years with upgrades to toilets, showers and camping facilities.
This is also the only permanent waterhole that I have never known to go stagnant throughout the whole year, except for very rare extreme conditions and occasion's of drought, no matter what you may read in any traveller articles!
A great cool swim, in a sandy bottom gorge, after a long trek through the ranges is definitely worth it.
Beware...it is almost always, cold, even on hotter days.
Fact sheet:
http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/9951/ElleryCreekBigHole_001.pdf
Written July 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We will be coming out from a hike at Ellery Creek Big Hole. The two transport companies quote $340 to take the two of us back to Alice Springs. Are there any cheaper alternatives? What's hitching like?
Written June 16, 2018
That seems like a lot of money for what is an hours drive? Not sure about hitchhiking, probably wouldn't recommend it. Wonder how much a taxi would charge?
Written June 17, 2018
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