1. The Garden of Eden

A permanent pool at the bottom of Kings Canyon surrounded by ancient species of plant life, the beauty of the Garden is unmatched. This plant life can be seen in very, very few places in the world, and may be worth the trip to some people by itself! The water is cool and clear, and a refreshing reprieve from the relatively long hike required to get there. This is easily the best swimming spot in the Red Center because of where it’s located. Sheer walls, up to 200m in height, surround on all sides, adding yet another layer of beauty to this oasis.

2. Ellery Creek Big Hole

West of Alice Springs, you’ll find a sign for this permanent swimming hole. It’s unique in that it is very cold, even in summer, so be sure to have a swimming buddy and watch out for signs of hypothermia. Some find that the extremely cold water is a great way to beat the heat, and the pool is large enough to allow for some actual laps and other types of more active swimming – It’s no wading pool. You might want to bring beach chairs and umbrellas here, as some find it’s difficult to remain in the water for long periods, it’s a great place to move in and out as you’re ready and enjoy both the warmth of sunbathing and the bracing cold while swimming.

3. Ormiston Gorge

An impressive gorge with some easy hiking paths which allows for a variety of activities, it’s just a fifteen minute walk to the swimming hole at the bottom. Easy access is a great feature, and it’s also nice that you have the option of hiking to elevated lookouts. About an hour and a half of hiking takes you to such a lookout, and on the way down you can cool off in this permanent pool. Good photo opportunities, brilliant views, and a fair.

4. Glen Helen Gorge

A swimming hole on the Finke River, this location is very near to Glen Helen Resort, which offers award winning food, fuel, and accommodation. Possibly the easiest swimming hole to access on this list due to how close it is to accommodation, this spot is surrounded by large rock walls and is nicely shaded as a result, making for a very comfortable swim. It’s also a great area to just bask on the rocks, as it’s warm enough to be soothing but not searing as it would be in direct sunlight!

5. Redbank Gorge

Redbank Gorge is a spectacular narrow canyon slot that can be crossed via swimming, provided that you’re bold. This isn’t a pool by any means, you won’t be doing laps here, but the views alone are worth coming here, allowing for another brilliant photo opportunity. Besides, who wouldn’t want to be able to say that they’ve swam across a canyon? Of course, this is riskier than a swimming hole, so it’s recommended only to strong and confident swimmers.

Photo Credits:
Wayoutback 4WD Red Centre Wallaby Dreaming
Irwin Reynolds
Ormiston Gorge, West MacDonnell Ranges (NT)
http://www.coriobaycameraclub.org.au/competitions/image-of-the-year/image-of-the-year-2013/
Redbank Gorge

The well traveled Stuart Highway in Australia is 2,834 km worth of vast and beautiful terrain which host many hundred’s of family road trips every year. The name of this highway stems from John McDouall Stuart who was the first man to cross Australia from South to North.

Originally completing this task with no running water sources in 1862, Stuart’s journey really is one of the great tales of exploration, which is why the highway was named after him! Following tradition, this road trip normally begins in the south – Adelaide, then onto Alice Springs, and finally to the top of the Northern Territory ending in Darwin.

Family road trips take a lot of planning and saving, but if done properly, the Stuart Highway family road trip really is the ultimate expedition.

Understanding the terrain from the South to the North is the best way to properly prepare for this family trip. It is important to remember this route goes directly through the outback, therefore the fuel stops only pop up every couple of hours along the way. So be prepared to perform regular stock takes to ensure you are left with plenty of food, drinks, and fuel for your journey.

Most people decide to take the trip between April and October, because the temperatures are much more bearable. Regardless the time of year, it is always important to make sure the car that is being driven is capable of withstanding such a demanding trek. The car should be both reliable, affordable on gas, and be comfortable to sit in during hot/cold weather. Even more, it is important to consider if the car is capable of housing a family comfortably for such a long trip! No mopeds…

Another great way to make this the ultimate family road trip is to make sure to map out the stops that are worth making along the way. This means it is important to do your research on the stops the family wants to make, the distances in between, and accommodation options.

Decide if the stop at Uluru, Kings Canyon, and/or Katherine Gorge are going to be on the list of stop overs, and plan accordingly for the time frame and budget of the trip. With so many amazing stops in the north, this route continues to be one of the best Northern Territory road trips families can take! Be sure to stay the night with us at Erldunda, and use us as your base for your Uluru experience!

One of the last ways to ensure a successful family road trip is to over-prepare what you pack in the car. For this trip specifically, make sure there is plenty of water, batteries for the camera, portable charging devices for electronic devices, emergency precautions, and anything else that may seem like an over indulgence for normal road excursions. Family road trips are one of the best ways to forge amazing memories and bonds, so most of all, enjoy it!

Photo Credits:
I Drive Safely
Go Abroad
Do it Yourself Tourguide