Wild Swimming in the Red Centre of Australia
Is it Better Than a Family Beach Holiday?
Wild swimming in the red centre of Australia involves sand in your bathers, cold water, floating on an inner tube, and the hot sun on your face. This sounds like a typical day at the beach right? Except the closest beach is a 12 hour drive south to Port Augusta, or a 14 hour drive north to Darwin.
The waterholes in the Red Centre of Australia have a lot more to offer than you may realise. There are four awesome swimming holes within a day trip from Alice Springs that challenge the notion of summer holidays on the coast. In fact, not only do they challenge them, they blow them out of the water!
Ellery Creek Big Hole
Ellery Creek Big Hole is one of the most well known spots for wild swimming in the Red Centre. It’s located approximately 90km west of Alice Springs in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Camping is available here and it’s accessible in a standard two-wheel drive vehicle.
The water hole is surrounded by red cliffs and like the other water holes in the West MacDonnell Ranges, the water is cold. It’s a popular picnic spot for bother visitors and locals due to its proximity to Alice Springs.
See my post on Ellery Creek Big Hole with kids for more information.
Ormiston Gorge
Ormiston Gorge is an extremely picturesque water hole in the West MacDonnell ranges, approximately 135km west of Alice Springs. It’s also accessible in a standard two-wheel drive vehicle.
This swimming hole is probably the most photogenic and really showcases the fascinating geology of the ranges. See my post on visiting Ormiston Gorge for more information.
Ormiston Gorge is particularly awesome for families as there is heaps of sand for young kids to play in. It’s not the annoying kind of sand that sticks to everything either. There were a few people here stretched out on towels, reading books under the shade of the glorious white gum trees. Just perfect!
The night sky in Central Australia is not something to be missed. The camp grounds at Ormiston Gorge, away from the light pollution of the modern world, offer up a pretty memorable viewing experience.
Glen Helen Gorge
Glen Helen Gorge is located approximately 132 km west of Alice Springs in the West MacDonnell Ranges. A break in the ranges allows the Finke River to flow through and the landscape here is particularly impressive with towering sandstone cliffs.
It’s close to Glen Helen Lodge, the only place in the West MacDonnell Ranges that has hotel room style accommodation. Powered camp sites are also available here. This makes it a great base to explore the wild swimming opportunities in the area!
Redbank Gorge
My personal favourite at approximately 156km west of Alice Springs, is Redbank gorge. This is wild swimming in the Red Centre at its best! It’s not quite as pretty as Ormiston Gorge, but I thoroughly enjoyed the walk into the waterhole and due to its location, it’s possible to get the whole place to yourself.
Basic camping is available in two different spots at Redbank Gorge and a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended. See my post on visiting Redbank Gorge with kids for more information.
Don’t forget to carry in an inner tube or some sort of flotation device as you can swim up the narrow chasm and float back down on it.
All four of these outback waterholes are unique and worthy of a visit. However, is wild swimming in the Red Centre of Australia better than a holiday at the beach?
I certainly think so! Especially considering the camping opportunities and their proximity to some big Australian icons such as Kings Canyon, Uluru and Kata-Tjuta. Also, the gorge backdrops to the swimming holes are just beautiful.
Hubby doesn’t agree as there is no surf!
In general, the Red Centre of Australia is chock full of awesome natural wonders and is a great destinations with kids. It should be on every families bucket list.
Costs
You will be happy to know that there are no entry fees for wild swimming in the Red Centre. There is a reasonable fee for camping which varies between camp grounds at the various water holes.
When to go
You can visit any time for the spectacular scenery. However, due to the cold water temperature; swimming is really only pleasant in the warmer seasons. We visited in September (the beginning of Spring) and although other people were swimming, I found the water a little too cold to have a proper swim.
Resources for booking your getaway to Central Australia
Getting to the Red Centre of Australia
Most capital cities have flights to Central Australia, with flights landing in Alice Springs and Yulara, a smaller airport near Ayers Rock Resort. Find great deals on flights to Central Australia at Trip.com.
Getting around Central Australia
Car hire is available in Alice Springs. Compare car hire prices across major brands at Discover Cars. Don’t forget you will need a 4WD to drive the Mereenie Road Loop or see the entirety of the East MacDonnell Ranges.
Accommodation in Central Australia
Ayers Rock Resort in the obvious choice at Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park, with a range of accommodations from camping to hotel rooms. For the ultimate in luxury at Uluru, stay at Longitude 131.
Kings Canyon Resort is a great choice for visiting Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park. Their glamping tents are divine, but the campgrounds are well-serviced if you’re on a camping road trip.
Glen Helen is the only non-camping option available in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Camping is also available at Ellery Creek, Ormiston Gorge, Finke 2 Mile and Redbank Gorge. Alternatively, you can book accommodation in Alice Springs and easily day-trip out to the West Macs.
If exploring the East MacDonnell ranges, check out Hale River Homestead and Ross River Homestead.
Tours and activities in Central Australia
Book your Central Australia tours and activities through Viator.
