Trail Information: Difficulty - Medium
The Reward:
To drive down an old riverbed that existed in the same location before these 500 million year old cliffs rose from the ground, priceless. Each time I drove this trail I would focus less on the sand going under the wheels and more on my surroundings. This trail is spectacular and is a must visit. It's a favourite with the locals and a popular overnight camp site.
Trail Desceiption:
The trail is reasonably straightforward minus a few sand traps that need to be carefully navigated. See 4x4 tips.
Getting there:
Head west on Larapinta straight to Hermannsburg. When you reach the turn off to the town, the dirt road that heads to Boggy Hole is opposite. Although Boggy Hole is on the Finke River which passes through Hermannsburg, the trail actually begins on a feeder river further downstream and you need to go inland to reach it.
As there is no cell phone coverage out of Alice Springs, to track your progress you will need to use the offline map supplied below. Please study the trail information supplied carefully.
Equipment:
Standard 4x4 and standard tyres
A spare, two is better and equipment to change it
You won't need tracks, nor recovery gear
Sledge hammer if you get stuck on a rock you can't pass (safety glasses essential if your going to mould the trail)
Water, always bring water and some food
Car Lights definitely preferable but not essential, just makes the drive home after sunset much easier
A second 4x4
Navigation:
Mobile phone with GPS, in-car phone charger (consider a second phone/charger as a backup)
Trail map downloaded to your phone(s) for offline usage
Paper map of the region as a backup and to check the offline map
To drive down an old riverbed that existed in the same location before these 500 million year old cliffs rose from the ground, priceless. Each time I drove this trail I would focus less on the sand going under the wheels and more on my surroundings. This trail is spectacular and is a must visit. It's a favourite with the locals and a popular overnight camp site.
Trail Desceiption:
The trail is reasonably straightforward minus a few sand traps that need to be carefully navigated. See 4x4 tips.
Getting there:
Head west on Larapinta straight to Hermannsburg. When you reach the turn off to the town, the dirt road that heads to Boggy Hole is opposite. Although Boggy Hole is on the Finke River which passes through Hermannsburg, the trail actually begins on a feeder river further downstream and you need to go inland to reach it.
As there is no cell phone coverage out of Alice Springs, to track your progress you will need to use the offline map supplied below. Please study the trail information supplied carefully.
Equipment:
Standard 4x4 and standard tyres
A spare, two is better and equipment to change it
You won't need tracks, nor recovery gear
Sledge hammer if you get stuck on a rock you can't pass (safety glasses essential if your going to mould the trail)
Water, always bring water and some food
Car Lights definitely preferable but not essential, just makes the drive home after sunset much easier
A second 4x4
Navigation:
Mobile phone with GPS, in-car phone charger (consider a second phone/charger as a backup)
Trail map downloaded to your phone(s) for offline usage
Paper map of the region as a backup and to check the offline map
Resources
| finke-gorge-national-park.pdf |
| finke-river-4wd-route-information-sheet.pdf |
|
Offline Maps - How to use | ||
(Maps generated courtesy of Google Maps / Google Earth)
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#Unrealalice - To help build a collection of photos which highlight the beauty of Central Australia, and/or
@Unrealalice - To send us your photos for possible publication on the official 'Unrealalice' instagram account
4x4 Safety / Tips
A basic introduction on how to stay safe on the trails of the red centre.
Traditional Owners
We would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the area the Arrente people.
"They have been here since time immemorial. In the beginning, Altyerrenge - ancestral figures - created the landscape and its features, as well as Arrernte Law. According to the traditional owners, the landscape was shaped by caterpillars, wild dogs, travelling boys, two sisters, euros and other ancestral figures, and as such contains many sites of importance to its traditional owners. Some of the first Dreaming stories ever recorded were those of the Arrernte people of Central Australia." - Alice Springs Town Council
"They have been here since time immemorial. In the beginning, Altyerrenge - ancestral figures - created the landscape and its features, as well as Arrernte Law. According to the traditional owners, the landscape was shaped by caterpillars, wild dogs, travelling boys, two sisters, euros and other ancestral figures, and as such contains many sites of importance to its traditional owners. Some of the first Dreaming stories ever recorded were those of the Arrernte people of Central Australia." - Alice Springs Town Council
Discliamer
Whilst the information provided within this page is as accurate as possible, the author provides no warranty regarding the condition of the trail, the conditions, and takes no responsibility for any injury to person or property as a result of using this map, or any other maps on this website. As with all four wheel driving, prepare, ensure your vehicle is appropriate to the trail and in good working order, bring recovery gear, first aid, communications, food, water, etc, and do not attempt trails which are beyond your off-road experience and ability.