Plan your trip
Do I need to pay to access the national parks and reserves in Central Australia? What will the weather be like? Do I need a permit? It’s important to plan ahead so that you can arrive prepared for your camping adventure. Find the answer to these questions here!
Image credit: Tourism NT / Mark Fitzpatrick
National Park Access, Camping & Fees
The Northern Territory has two different types of parks:
national parks and reserves managed by the Northern Territory Government; and
federal parks managed by the Australian Federal Government.
It’s important to familiarise yourself with the parks you will plan to visit during your trip as different rules and fees apply.
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An NT Parks Pass is required for interstate and international visitors who enter a national park or reserve managed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory. For more information click here.
All national park campsites, including bush camping, incur a nightly camping fee. Ensure you book and pay for your campsite in advance to ensure you get a spot. It is worth noting that bush camping in parks including Ruby Gap, Hugh River and Finke River 2 Mile do not have marked sites, so specific areas cannot be reserved. For more information on NT national parks and reserves, and how to book through the online booking system, click here.
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Entry fees apply when visiting our federal parks, including the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Kakadu National Park. Click on the below links for more information:
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A new multi-day walking fee now applies for trails across Northern Territory (NT) parks.
The new fee will apply to:
Jatbula Trail
Tabletop Track
Larapinta Trail.
Camping fees per night are charged in addition to the walking fee.
Note that day-only trips are still free, and the fees only apply to walks where you overnight on the walking trail.
For more information on multi-day walking fees, click here.
Road Conditions & Permits
Road conditions in Central Australia can vary significantly from day to day depending on the weather and scheduled maintenance. Some roads also require transit permits. It’s important to stay up-to-date on road conditions and permit requirements before and during your travel.
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While outback road conditions stay fairly constant throughout the year, they can change dramatically with rain and can become impassable very quickly. Parks and reserves in the region are located in and around waterholes on usually dry rivers. Heavy rainfall can lead to some areas being closed for weeks until floodwaters subside. It is wise to monitor the road conditions a couple of weeks before you travel.
For up-to-date road condition reports for all major roads in the Northern Territory, click here.
For National Park access reports click here.
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In the NT a permit is required to access some Aboriginal land. The permit system helps to protect the privacy and culture of Aboriginal communities and keeps visitors safe.
Some roads require multiple permits when the same road passes through multiple Aboriginal council jurisdictions. When travelling through Aboriginal land, a permit is required to be carried at all times. Most permits are very simple to obtain and some are free.
For more information on permits and where they are required, click here. The Visitor Information Centre in Alice Springs is also available to assist with this information.
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The Mereenie Loop, part of the Red Centre Way, is the most commonly traversed permit-required road in Central Australia. The loop is an unsealed (gravel) road that connects Kings Canyon and the Larapinta Drive / Namatjira Drive intersection in the far south-west corner of the West MacDonnell Ranges.
This permit is valid for 3 days and is available in person from the following locations:
The Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre
Kings Canyon General Store
Discovery Parks - Glen Helen (currently closed)
The Hermannsburg Top Shop General Store.
Image credit: Tourism NT / Shaana McNaught
Weather & Seasons
Central Australia has a desert climate making it the perfect region for camping trips.
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Summer (December – February)
In summer the average temperatures range from 20 - 35°C, and at times surpasses 40°C.Autumn (March – May)
The weather in autumn makes it one of the best times to visit, with warm days and cool nights. Average temperatures range from 13 - 30°C, cooling down towards winter.Winter (June – August)
Average temperatures during winter fall to between 5 - 20°C. Temperatures overnight often drop below 0°C with early morning frosts being common.Spring (September – November)
The weather in spring is similar to autumn, with temperatures averaging between 13 - 30°C. Late spring often resembles summer weather.
Download the free Bureau of Meteorology app before you arrive
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If you are visiting a park in the NT, be prepared for the heat in the warmer months. Some popular walks, including Kings Canyon, Uluru and Kata Tjuta will close early if the maximum temperature is forecast to be 36 degrees Celsius or above.
If you visit a park you should:
walk early in the morning
check the temperature before you walk
be sun smart by wearing protective clothing, suncream and sunglasses
rest in the shade when required
carry and drink plenty of water
avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
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The peak season in Alice Springs officially kicks off in April and lasts for approximately 6 months, with the busiest months being May to September. These months are when the weather is most favourable.
If you don’t mind the days being warmer, we recommend travelling throughout Central Australia around mid March, October and early November. The campgrounds are less crowded and the waterholes are not too cold to swim!