East MacDonnell RangesEast MacDonnell Ranges (via Arltunga)

Ruby Gap Nature Park

A gorge of red quartzite walls in the East MacDonnell Ranges, reached past Arltunga along the soft, boulder-strewn bed of the Hale River with no help nearby. It needs high clearance and low range, and the riverbed should not be driven after rain.

From Narangba3,120 km

TripA week or more

DifficultyHard

Longest fuel gap300 km

When to go

Red is the best of it; hatched is when tracks or parks are closed.

sand
rock
remote

Permits NT Parks Pass for interstate visitors and a mandatory online camping booking through NT Parks.

Before you go Fill up in Alice Springs and carry enough fuel for the round trip. Check NT Parks alerts before you go, and keep out of the Hale River bed after rain.

3,120 km by road from the workshop Narangba

What the trip asks of your 4WD

In the order a fitter would raise them, each with the reason. Up to three parts that fit for each, the first already chosen; swap any of them, or mark one you don't need.

Build it for your 4WD

Your rego or your model, and every part below is one that fits it. Until then you see the gear that fits any 4WD; the parts made for one vehicle wait for yours.

1 · Recovery
Soft riverbed sand on the Hale River is where vehicles bog, and help is a long way off.
2 · Suspension & GVM
Boulders in the riverbed call for high clearance and good wheel travel.
Build the suspension for your 4WDLift, load and the engineer's rules for your state, specced for the vehicle and what it carries.
Build the suspension for your 4WD✓ In your 4WD's build · Change suspension
- 3 · Rock sliders
  Boulders and rock ledges put the sills and underbody at risk.
- 4 · Lighting & 12V
  A dual battery keeps the fridge running at the remote riverbed camps.
Each of these is made for one vehicle, so the parts show once we know yours.

The trip asks for these; the rest of the rig is yours to choose. Build the whole rig for this trip.

More Northern Territory trips

All NT trips