Ormiston Pound Day Circuit

A flower-filled valley, rocky gorge, sandy river, hidden pool, vast plain and lookout views: this spectacular day hike truly is a mini-Larapinta

Hiker in red shirt sitting on sandy beach next to still water rock pool

A beautiful rock pool is just one of many stunning features you’ll experience on this day hike.

The Ormiston Pound hike is a splendid 8.5km Grade 3 circuit that is described as taking 3-4 hours, but which will take slower hikers 4-5 hours, longer if you decide to swim in the rockpool or linger on its sandy banks.

It is a truly exceptional hike and, after completing the Larapinta Trail, we can confirm that it is indeed a mini-version, ideal for people who would like a taste of what the trail offers. One local we met described it as his favourite day hike in the West McDonnells, better than the Sonder climb because of the extraordinary variety packed into such a short distance.

Only a tiny proportion of people who visit Ormiston Gorge hike the Pound Circuit — we saw just two other couples and were there in peak season with convoys of buses arriving daily at the kiosk — so you can expect a delightfully secluded walk, unless you meet one of the tour groups (some include this in their Larapinta Highlights package). If you are in the region of Alice Springs and visiting other sights — Redbank Gorge, Simpson’s Gap, Standley Chasm, Mt Sonder — set aside time for this outstanding hike.

Map of hike with elevation details

A classic circuit route that you are requested to hike anticlockwise.

The walk leaves from the Visitor Centre eastwards along the Larapinta Trail (Section 9), but you branch north after 500m onto the Pound circuit. After climbing from the valley you pass through a wide gully that’s a carpet of golden wattle after rain, before reaching a saddle and a lookout with expansive views over the entire Pound, comprising an amphitheatre encircled by the Chewings and Heavitree Ranges.

You descend into the Pound, passing a deep rock pool — a perfect place for second breakfast with countless birds singing in the surrounding trees — and then cross the plain of the pound with its rich array of wildflowers quite different to those in the hills you traversed earlier. Finally you enter Ormiston Gorge, becoming ever more rocky and narrow with alabaster ghost gums on red rock walls. A short swim or wade and an easy scramble bring you to the permanent waterhole busy with tourists on the southern bank. Alternatively, you can climb out of the gorge and return via Ghost gum walk, a smaller circuit that provides elevated views down into the gorge and across the complex.

Satellite image of circuit hike showing the pound area

If you are a Larapinta hiker, schedule the Pound Circuit into your itinerary. Fast west to east Larapinta hikers will be able to complete it in the afternoon they arrive in Ormiston Gorge from Finke River, but we strongly recommend that slower hikers spend two nights at Ormiston, and hike the circuit on their “rest” day. Order your pies or sausage rolls before you leave on your hike because they will have sold out by the time you return!

When to Hike

May-August are best, with June-July peak season.

How to Get There and Accommodation

Fly or drive to Alice Springs from any capital city.

Larapinta hikers will simply divert from the trail on their rest day, but day hikers and travellers staying in Alice Springs can reach Ormiston Gorge via one of several tour companies, a hire car or via the sealed road in their own car. There are car camping facilities in Ormiston Gorge should you wish to stay overnight.

Bookings and Park Passes

You’ll need a parks Pass and, if you are staying in Ormiston Gorge overnight, a camp booking is required.

Safety and Tips

There is no phone reception on the track. Carry plenty of water, a first aid kit and wear protective clothing (eg hat), sensible footwear and sunscreen. Avoid hiking in very hot weather as there is little shade on the trail until you reach the gorge. Consider hiring a PLB before your central Australian trip if you plan on doing less populated hikes. The trail is well signposted but always carry an offline digital and/or electronic map (Avenza, Alltrails etc).

hiker standing on small sandy beach with rocky creek bed sections above and below in steep sided rock gorge

The trail is very rocky in parts — notably the gorge — but is well marked other than in the gorge where it becomes a route, and you simply follow the creek bed, zig-zig-zagging across and between rock pools until you reach the main waterhole and exit via its eastern side.

Walk with Us:

Scroll through for plenty of images to give you a good idea of what the track and terrain are like, and whether they suit your ability.

track sign with oeange and blue triangles making the track direction

You initially follow the Larapinta Trail east from the car park. The Larapinta and Pound Walks are marked with blue and orange triangles respectively.

Typically rocky trail

Bush tomato has purple flower petals with bright yellon stamen

Bush tomato (Solanum sp). There are a number of species within a group of very similar ones.

wide sandy creek bed with shallow pool on one side

You initially follow Ormiston Creek…

hiker crossing creek through a small rocky section

… before you cross and leave the valley.

hiker walking up red rock steps under bright blue sky

It’s a steep climb initially, but with steps to ease your way.

Wickam’s Grevillea has bright red flowers

Brilliant Wickam’s Grevillea (G. wickhamii) makes splashes of red on rocky hillsides.

Spinifex and Curry Wattle covered hillside each side of the track

Spinifex and Curry Wattle (Acacia spondylophylla) carpet the hillsides here.

hiker standing on track looking at it following the contour ahead

The trail is well graded and contours across the slopes: rocky, but not steep.

hiker on track across spinifex covered hillside

Beautiful central Australian landscape, with the red rock contrasting with the greens and greys of the vegetation.

hiker walking along track through patches of curry wattle with small yellow flowers

Up a wide gully through a sea of curry wattle to a saddle.

hiker resting rock looking at view of Ormiston Pound

From the saddle you take a short spur trail to the lookout for expansive views of Ormiston Pound:

expansive view of view of Ormiston Pound

Ormiston Pound with the Chewings Range and Ormiston Creek snaking its way across the plain. The Gorge is far left.

hiker on track fringed by yellow flowering curry wattle and spinifex

Down through more curry wattle and spinifex towards the pound…

hiker on track across sloping hillside covered with small shrubs and stunted trees

… you can just make out the trail skirting the base of the hill through the gap.

two spiders in web one vastly bigger than the other

A beautiful female Australian Golden Orbweaver (Trichonephila edulis), with her small male partner hiding nervously but hopefully nearby.

hiker in blue jacket on narrow rocky track across steep sloping hillside

Emerging from the Range, the rock glowing red in the midday sun.

hiker walikg across fla plain with scatter small plants in the red gravelly soil

Onto the Plain with completely different plants to those you’ve seen in the hilly country.

small pigeon of similar colouring to the rock it is standing on

Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps plumifera) is perfectly camouflaged and disappears into the rock the moment it stops moving.

gall on branch of bloodwood

A gall on a bloodwood. Inside is an edible insect, prized by the Traditional Owners as a nutritious source of protein and fat.

hike wearing red shirt sitting on sandy beach alongside long still watered rock pool

Those who keep their eyes peeled will spot this beautiful pool a little off the track as you cross the creek, with many birds flitting amongst the rocks and chattering in the trees nearby.

long shallow pool in creek bed

A little later you cross the creek for a second time. Without recent rain, we were able to rock hop and keep our feet dry.

Native Scurf Pea has purple flowers

This Native Scurf Pea (Cullen australasicum) looks for all the world like a salvia or plant in the mint family. It is likely convergent evolution to trick insects that would normally feed on the nectar secreted by that family (peas leave their visitors hungry, but still need to attract them!).

hiker looking towards entrance to gorge

Approaching Ormiston Gorge: it is spectacularly enticing terrain.

trail marker with orange triangle on white background

The trail has been very well marked up until now: you are unlikely to lose your way.

Cassia Butterfly Bush has bright yellow flowers

Cassia Butterfly Bush (Petalostylis cassioides)

When you reach the gorge, the trail becomes undefined because high flows jumble the rocks and erase any trail. Not to worry, there is only one way forward, and you won’t be able to leave the gorge except at the other end via Ghost Gum Walk, or beside the permanent waterhole.

hiker walking across rocky section at entrance to gorge

You have plenty of rocks to traverse both at the northern end of the gorge…

hiker walking along base of gorge comprising large rock ledges interspersed with small sandy beaches and pools of water

… as well as further in.

sunlight highlighting the red rock faces of gorge

It is spectacular even though we are here after midday, when the sun directly overhead sets the entire gorge alight with red and orange.

sandy patches beside pools at the base of the cliffs.

You’ll also cross sandy patches beside pools at the base of the cliffs. I’ve included several similar images mainly so that you can see the kind of terrain you’ll traverse.

hiker walking along narrow sandy strip amongst large boulders next to pool at base of cliff

The pools and boulders grow larger as you go deeper.

large still pool of water blocking path along base of gorge

You will need to wade or swim through this permanent pool, depending on recent rains.

bare footed hiker walking out from water after crossing the pool

Crossing the pool.

hiker sitting on rock drying feet

Drying feet after the water crossing, river crossing sandals foreground. You’ll still need your boots as there is a little scrambling yet.

long still deep pool with wide sandy beach on one side rugged cliffs in background

And finally you emerge from the gorge near that sandy spit centre back (unless you’ve taken the Ghost Gum route) to arrive back at the Waterhole, serene on the surface but an extraordinary 14m deep.

The Ormiston Pound Circuit Walk is a banner walk, beautifully routed and with an astonishing variety of views, vegetation and landforms packed into a comfortable day hike of less than ten kilometres. It truly is a mini-Larapinta: highly recommended!

We respectfully acknowledge the Arrernte People as the traditional custodians of the land on which we walk and pay our respects to Elders past and present and to the Aboriginal people present today.


Next
Next

Stirling and Porongurup Ranges