Boggy Hole

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesErnest Giles Rd & Tempe Downs Access
FinishHermannsburg
DifficultyDifficulty 3.5/5
Suitable For4WD Motorbike 
Distance114.47 km
Minimum Days2
Average Speed34.23 km/hr
Travel Time3 hrs 20 mins
Page Updated: 18 Oct 2022

Description

Four wheel drivers will enjoy this great trek along the river bed of the Finke River. It's an enjoyable drive along the Finke Gorge with plenty of opportunities to stop, take photos, and enjoy the solitude.

The track is NOT MARKED (other than crude signs pointing to Kings Canyon) nor well defined and conditions vary from rocky sections of the creek bed to soft and sandy stretches but the main feature is the permanent waterhole called Boggy Hole. Many people experience navigational problems trying to stay on the main track, so check our preparation warnings.

The National Parks website advises that trailers are not recommended.

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2023 mapset!

Environment

The Finke River only rarely runs, although it forms in the MacDonnell Ranges near Palm Valley and runs for hundreds of kilometres until it disappears into Lake Eyre.

Starting near Hermansberg, a track leads south towards the Finke River bed, which when dry can be traversed right along its length to the Boggy Hole billabong by 4WD. Towering red cliffs line the banks of the river bed and the dry river bed is sandy and filled with river stones. The track criss-crosses the river a number of times in places so the track is impassable when river levels rise.

The Boggy Hole billabong can be up to 2.5km long after a flood but can dry to just 300m during very dry spells. If the water is plentiful its a great place for swimming and bird watching. Good shady camping is limited at the Boggy Hole site due to a massive flood in 1998 that took down many of the larger trees.

History

The Finke River, on which lies the Boggy Hole billabong, was named by John McDouall Stuart after the Adelaide financier William Finke.

In 1877, the Hermannsburg Lutheran Mission was established as the first of its kind in Central Australia. The early years were hard, with much sickness and trouble ensuring between aboriginies, local station owners and police. Within the vicinity of the Misson, 2 police camps were setup to control the 'hostile' activities of local Aborigines. On the eastern bank of Boggy Hole, you'll notice the stone remains of the first camp that was established by M. C. Willshire in 1889 and a small signboard with further information. The camp was actually abandoned when he was arrested for the murder of two Aborigines in 1891. In 1894 a replacement police camp was set up at Illamurta Springs, west of the Finke River. This camp was also abandoned when the police were sent to Arltunga in 1912. The Mission continued until 1982.

In 1902, Albert Namatjira was born at Ntaria (Hermannsburg) on the Finke River Mission Station and became one of Australia's great artist and perhaps the best known Aboriginal painter.

TrekID: 3

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
Camping fees apply but you can select a site anywhere along the track once you are within the National Park area. If choosing to camp at Boggy Hole, the best camping is on the high side, before making the notorious crossing of the creek, although there are maybe 2 other average spots along the water's edge on the low side too.

Conditions are always changing in this area and the track can be closed for very long periods of time, particularly at the beginning of the season after a heavy wet. However, this is all typical and this trek note is advising you to prepared! Contact Rangers on (08) 8956 7401 for up to date information.

Trailers: National Parks and Wildlife frown upon the use of trailers on this track but we have never heard of anyone being fined. People certainly do continue to tow trailers to this site, but most agree that it is a challenging task to do so. We make no advise either way - please make your own decisions about taking a trailer based on your own research.

Travellers should be prepared for soft driving conditions on the sandy river bed and tracks and carry an air compressor. Due to the maze of tracks that are unmarked, except for some very crude and difficult to see markers, it is advisable to use the supplied ExplorOz Trek for Boggy Hole to use within the ExplorOz Traveller app on your phone, or GPS enabled tablet or iPad.

Permits

No entry permits are needed to travel to Boggy Hole however you must pay for the number of nights camping you will be staying. Use the online booking link to the NT Parks website. You can select a camp anywhere within the NP area between the north and south boundary markers, although the recommended camp site is at the Boggy Hole site.

Fuel Usage

None on route
DieselULPLPG
4cyl 16 litres4cyl 19 litres4cyl 23 litres
6cyl 18 litres6cyl 21 litres6cyl 20 litres
8cyl 18 litres8cyl 19 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Late dry season (June - Nov)

Closest Climatic Station

Alice Springs Airport
Distance from Trek Mid Point 123.36km NE
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C36.435.132.628.223.019.819.722.627.230.933.635.4
Mean Min. °C21.520.717.512.68.25.04.06.010.314.817.920.2
Mean Rain mm38.643.832.316.318.913.615.09.28.521.429.136.9
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Ernest Giles Rd & Tempe Downs Access to Tempe Downs Access & Tk to Ernest Giles Rd
Driving: 12.8 km
Heading: 295°
Avg Speed: 53.87 km/hr
EST Time: 14:15
Tempe Downs Access & Tk to Ernest Giles Rd to Finke River 4WD Route
Driving: 1.14 km
Heading: 25°
Avg Speed: 43.16 km/hr
EST Time: 01:35
Finke River 4WD Route to McMinn Creek
Driving: 19.07 km
Heading: 29°
Avg Speed: 54.25 km/hr
EST Time: 21:05
McMinn Creek to Illamurta Spring Rd and Finke River Route
Driving: 4.79 km
Heading: 324°
Avg Speed: 47.2 km/hr
EST Time: 06:05
Illamurta Spring Rd and Finke River Route to Running Waters Yard
Driving: 14.65 km
Heading: 84°
Avg Speed: 24.16 km/hr
EST Time: 36:22
Running Waters Yard to Boggy Hole
Driving: 28.91 km
Heading: 353°
Avg Speed: 16.84 km/hr
EST Time: 01:43:00
Boggy Hole to Finke River & Ellery Creek
Driving: 10.01 km
Heading: 344°
Avg Speed: 15.59 km/hr
EST Time: 38:31
Finke River & Ellery Creek to Todd Glen
Driving: 4.59 km
Heading: 13°
Avg Speed: 15.81 km/hr
EST Time: 17:25
Todd Glen to Finke Gorge NP, Northern Boundary
Driving: 0.28 km
Heading: 17°
Avg Speed: 18.29 km/hr
EST Time: 00:55
Finke Gorge NP, Northern Boundary to Mpakaputa
Driving: 5.59 km
Heading: 10°
Avg Speed: 16.11 km/hr
EST Time: 20:49
Mpakaputa to Ellery Creek & Boggy Hole Access
Driving: 2.36 km
Heading: 348°
Avg Speed: 48.95 km/hr
EST Time: 02:53
Ellery Creek & Boggy Hole Access to Larapinta Drive & Boggy Hole Access
Driving: 9.74 km
Heading: 309°
Avg Speed: 50.72 km/hr
EST Time: 11:31
Larapinta Drive & Boggy Hole Access to Hermannsburg
Driving: 0.54 km
Heading: 303°
Avg Speed: 40.05 km/hr
EST Time: 00:48
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Beautiful driving along the Finke Riverbed, Boggy Hole camps, bush camping

Facilities

Where to Stay

No Places To Stay available for this trek

Services & Supplies

No Services & Supplies available for this trek

Wildflowers

Related Travel Journals

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