Serpentine Gorge
Serpentine Gorge
4.3
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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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.3
28 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
14
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Michelle M
Sydney, Australia207 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
Sign posted turn off, 5km dirt road access. Shaded information shelter. Easy, 1.3km flat, dirt and rocky walking path mainly along dry creek bed. Shaded by trees as you get further along and closer to the gorge. Keep and eye out for large lizards basking on the rocks. Small waterhole, no swimming. Some shade depending on time of dy. A challenging lookout is about half way along.
Written 29 September 2023
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, Canada3,334 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
If you have been visiting all the other gorges along the highway, this one is pretty much the same as the others.. The difference here is the lookout which is similar to the Kings Canyon. It’s about 3 km off the highway on an unsealed road There are over 200 rock steps to get to the lookout so good fitness and footwear is a must, but the reward awaits at the top! Fenced and I fenced lookout spots.
Written 7 January 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, Australia12,187 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
The Serpentine Gorge turnoff is approximately 10km past Ellery Creek Big Hole heading west and 100 kilometres from Alice Springs.
Its secluded location provides memorable walks through the scenic surrounds and is also part of, section 7 and 8 of the Larapinta trail.
The River Red Gums line the walking paths which vary between 1 and 3km’s in length.
The Waterhole itself is stagnant or non existent much of the year,except for higher volume local rain which makes it viable for a swim.
The facilities available are, car parking, toilets and a picnic area.
This gorge is omitted by all the tour companies, (to this date that I know of).
Not only due to time constraints and with the several walks available, but mainly due to the 1.5km walk to the gorge, being through the bush.
Not to mention the harder walk to the lookout, this would make it impossible to get you back in time to Alice Springs before dark.
Approximately 5km further on, you will come across the nearby Serpentine Chalet ruins which was an early tourism venture which did not succeed.
Follow the unsealed dirt access track that runs to the campsite and ruins.
It is suitable for 2WD vehicles, except for the occasional very wet conditions.
Expect to spend at least a few hours here.
Its secluded location provides memorable walks through the scenic surrounds and is also part of, section 7 and 8 of the Larapinta trail.
The River Red Gums line the walking paths which vary between 1 and 3km’s in length.
The Waterhole itself is stagnant or non existent much of the year,except for higher volume local rain which makes it viable for a swim.
The facilities available are, car parking, toilets and a picnic area.
This gorge is omitted by all the tour companies, (to this date that I know of).
Not only due to time constraints and with the several walks available, but mainly due to the 1.5km walk to the gorge, being through the bush.
Not to mention the harder walk to the lookout, this would make it impossible to get you back in time to Alice Springs before dark.
Approximately 5km further on, you will come across the nearby Serpentine Chalet ruins which was an early tourism venture which did not succeed.
Follow the unsealed dirt access track that runs to the campsite and ruins.
It is suitable for 2WD vehicles, except for the occasional very wet conditions.
Expect to spend at least a few hours here.
Written 17 July 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.
Olivier_Le_H
Reims, France736 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
From the main road follow the short but poorly maintained dirt track ( 3kms only but 4WD is advised ) to get to the parking area. The walk from there is about 40 minutes return to get to the entrance of the gorge and climb to the lookout. The track is easy to follow and well maintained. The climb to the lookout is steep but short.
In summer take some water with you, even if the walk is short the heat reflecting from the rock is sufficating.
The view from the lookout is well worth the hike. Unfortunately the waterhole was dry when we were there.
In summer take some water with you, even if the walk is short the heat reflecting from the rock is sufficating.
The view from the lookout is well worth the hike. Unfortunately the waterhole was dry when we were there.
Written 3 February 2016
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.
Openfj0re
234 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
We made the dirt road trip in a rental car which was a bit slow, but no real problem. The walk to the gorge was pretty dull, but the lookout trail was steep and tough in a good way, and view at the top is well worth it. This is the only really nice stop we went to in the McDonnell ranges.
Written 4 August 2016
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.
Sarah M
Melbourne, Australia169 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
We decided to do the walk to Serpentine Gorge and while it was a nice enough walk, we had left it til about 10am to start and when the temperature was hitting 37 degrees by 2pm, it was an effort to complete it.
The scenery isn't dissimilar to that of other gorges in the area. There was a small pool of water at the end of the gorge which had attracted quite a large flock of Zebra finches that flew all around us. The end of the gorge was nice and shady, a pretty spot to sit and cool off before a hot walk back to the car.
There were toilets in the car park but if you don't REALLY need to use them, I wouldn't, as they aren't very nice.
The scenery isn't dissimilar to that of other gorges in the area. There was a small pool of water at the end of the gorge which had attracted quite a large flock of Zebra finches that flew all around us. The end of the gorge was nice and shady, a pretty spot to sit and cool off before a hot walk back to the car.
There were toilets in the car park but if you don't REALLY need to use them, I wouldn't, as they aren't very nice.
Written 26 July 2016
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.
Kumar D
Brisbane, Australia151 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
This is about 2km away from sealed road located in national park, you have to walk steep, perilous track to access the lookout, but well worth it. Great views from the lookout, make sure you take plenty of water and shoes with good grip.
Written 9 October 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.
Michelle R
Engadine, Australia398 contributions
June 2022
Absolutely stunning gorge. So picturesque and calming. Bit of a walk to get into the gorge but not a hard walk but at the end when you reach gorge it is so stunning and calming. Just sit on one of the rocks and just take it all in.
Written 7 August 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.
JElliot32
New South Wales, Australia4,060 contributions
June 2021
Serpentine Gorge is yet another picturesque waterhole in the West Macs, although it is quite a bit smaller than others like Ellery Creek Big Hole or Ormiston. What adds to its appeal is the view from the lookout adopt the towering cliff beside the waterhole. It is a steep climb of about 10-15 minutes, but the steps are well made and it is by no means a rough track. And once you reach the top (and get your breath back) you will be blown away by the views - in all directions
Written 2 July 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.
Emanpee
Sydney, Australia2,709 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
Gorge is 2WD accessible from Alice Springs. The walking trail from carpark to gorge is 1.1km each way. A bit rougher than Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm tracks, but well maintained and be do-able by most. Water levels are low in May 2019 but the early morning light on the gorge walls is captivating. Need to bring own food and water as limited facilities here. No entry fee.
Written 2 June 2019
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.
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