Camp Grounds West McDonnell Ranges
Submitted: Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 18:00
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Markymark
Hi All,
We're heading off to the Centre mid-year to mainly do the West McDonnell Ranges. We will visit Alice but don't want to stay there. Just wondering which campgrounds are recommended along Namatjira & Larapinta roads and do you need to book these during school holidays?
We're already staying at Uluru 2 nights &
Kings Canyon 2 nights, not sure where to base ourselves after that.
Cheers,
Mark.
Reply By: Hairy - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 19:00
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 19:00
Gday,
What do you call a good
campsite?
Toilets, designated capsites and tourists or peace and quite and a shovel for a shiitthouse.
AnswerID:
239761
Follow Up By: Markymark - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 19:05
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 19:05
With wife & kids in tow,
toilets would be good, showers a bonus.
Cheers,
Mark.
FollowupID:
500733
Follow Up By: Hairy - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 19:31
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 19:31
Glen Helen has
toilets, showers, accomidation, pub and restaurant.
Palm Valley is apparently pretty tidy these days, (
toilets and showers)
Ormiston George has
toilets and showers.
Wallace
rockhole used to be pretty good.
How long are you going to spend out their?
FollowupID:
500740
Follow Up By: Markymark - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 20:14
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 20:14
Hi Hairy,
After Uluru &
Kings Canyon, we have 3-4 days before heading south to
home.
Thanks for your info.
Mark.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Big Mike - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 19:27
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 19:27
Glen Helen is ok, the area is spectacular
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Follow Up By: Markymark - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 20:16
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 20:16
Cheers Mike.
When you say 'OK', does that mean it's nothing but a spot to pull over, or does it have toilets/showers/power?
Thanks,
Mark.
FollowupID:
500760
Follow Up By: SteveL - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 20:46
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 20:46
The camping at
Glen Helen is not that good.It is very exposed and quite busy next to the
carpark. I would go
Redbank Gorge where there is more bush,more privacy and a bit of shelter from the elements.
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Follow Up By: Markymark - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 20:56
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 20:56
Thanks for
clearing that up Steve and the advice on
Redbank Gorge. I'll add it to my list.
Mark.
FollowupID:
500771
Follow Up By: Big Mike - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 21:02
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 21:02
As Steve said,
Glen Helen camping is below average but
the gorge itself is spectacular.
Campground has the facilities but not flash, and can get busy. As mentioned,
Palm Valley is quite good and has good facilities.
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500774
Reply By: AdlelaideGeorge - Monday, May 14, 2007 at 12:30
Monday, May 14, 2007 at 12:30
There is top camping at the Serpentine Lodge
Camp Area - 4x4 only for the last section as I remember. Plenty of 'remote' spots and the old Lodge
ruins are interesting. Walk up to the
dam wall and up into the hills for a great view of the whole area.
When we woke in the morning (mid year sometime) there was 'ice' on the car up to the roof rack! - no exaggeration.
Happy days
Geo
AnswerID:
239911
Follow Up By: Markymark - Monday, May 14, 2007 at 21:45
Monday, May 14, 2007 at 21:45
Thanks Geo, I don't recall Serpentine Lodge coming up on the radar. Will
check it out.
Mark.
FollowupID:
500999
Reply By: Tim HJ61 (WA) - Monday, May 14, 2007 at 23:34
Monday, May 14, 2007 at 23:34
Redbank Gorge is a nice spot with two camping options. One on top of the
hill is very scenic, but quite rocky and exposed. Suitable at some time of the year no doubt.
The main
camp area is protected as others have said,
toilets and free gas BBQ's. No showers. Nice walk along the river into the Gorges make it interesting exploring for the kids.
Plenty prickles in
camp area, but when were there each
campsite had white sand spread over the ground which was a nice touch. Shadecloth copes with most prickles - and helps to spread them around the country too unless you clean them all off!
We were there mid year, rained, freezing during day, road a slippery as anything. No booking process that I know of. As others have said, there are resorts along the Larapinta way with stuff like showers and motel units. Redbank is off
end of bitumen so sees fewer travellers.
Tim
AnswerID:
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