Chambers Pillar stands about 160km south of Alice Springs, a sandstone column rising out of flat desert with explorers' names carved into it from the 1870s. It is one of the least visited significant sites in Central Australia, and the reason is the road in.
Getting there
Access is by unsealed road south of Alice Springs and the final section is four wheel drive only, with soft sand. NT Parks and Wildlife publishes current access conditions and closures, and roads can close after rain. Check before you commit, carry recovery gear, and do not rely on mobile coverage for the drive.
Camping
There is a small campground at the reserve. Facilities are basic, so carry your own water and take everything out with you. Check current arrangements and fees with NT Parks and Wildlife before travelling.
Corrugations work your mounts loose
This is the maintenance that actually matters out here. Re-torque the mounting bolts on your rack, tub rack or canopy before you leave, check them after the first day of dirt, then every few days. An On The Horizon rooftop tent weighs between 80kg and 120kg depending on the model, and that weight is working on the mounting every kilometre of corrugation. There is more on this in Roof Load Limits Explained.
Dust
A hard shell earns its money on Territory roads. The canvas travels folded inside a closed aluminium lid rather than strapped under a cover collecting bulldust, so the tent you open at the end of the day is the one you closed that morning. That is one of the clearest practical differences between hard shell and soft shell.
Desert nights get cold
Central Australia swings hard. Hot days and nights near freezing in winter, and people pack for the day they arrived. Every On The Horizon rooftop tent has winter insulation built in rather than sold as an add-on, plus a moisture barrier and an anti-condensation pad. Ventilate anyway, because sealing the tent shut on a cold night is what produces damp bedding by morning.
Choosing a tent for Territory touring
On The Horizon hard shell rooftop tents run from $3,290 to $3,990 and set up in 30 to 60 seconds, which matters when camp moves most nights. The 1.4 is 80kg, and the 1.9 Penthouse is 120kg and sleeps three to four. Check your rack's dynamic load rating against that before you order, and if you are not sure, send us what you are running.
Common questions
Do you need a 4WD to get to Chambers Pillar?
Yes. The final section of road into Chambers Pillar is four wheel drive only with soft sand, roughly 160km south of Alice Springs. Check current access conditions with NT Parks and Wildlife, because roads close after rain.
Can you camp at Chambers Pillar?
Yes, at a small basic campground at the reserve. Carry your own water and check current arrangements and fees with NT Parks and Wildlife.
Is a rooftop tent good for Chambers Pillar?
Yes. The ground is hard and sandy, the site is remote, and a hard shell keeps the canvas out of the dust on the drive in. Nights in winter get cold, so an insulated tent makes a real difference.
Related guides
Chambers Pillar Rooftop Tent Touring Guide: Central Australia
Chambers Pillar stands about 160km south of Alice Springs, a sandstone column rising out of flat desert with explorers' names carved into it from the 1870s. It is one of the least visited significant sites in Central Australia, and the reason is the road in.
Getting there
Access is by unsealed road south of Alice Springs and the final section is four wheel drive only, with soft sand. NT Parks and Wildlife publishes current access conditions and closures, and roads can close after rain. Check before you commit, carry recovery gear, and do not rely on mobile coverage for the drive.
Camping
There is a small campground at the reserve. Facilities are basic, so carry your own water and take everything out with you. Check current arrangements and fees with NT Parks and Wildlife before travelling.
Corrugations work your mounts loose
This is the maintenance that actually matters out here. Re-torque the mounting bolts on your rack, tub rack or canopy before you leave, check them after the first day of dirt, then every few days. An On The Horizon rooftop tent weighs between 80kg and 120kg depending on the model, and that weight is working on the mounting every kilometre of corrugation. There is more on this in Roof Load Limits Explained.
Dust
A hard shell earns its money on Territory roads. The canvas travels folded inside a closed aluminium lid rather than strapped under a cover collecting bulldust, so the tent you open at the end of the day is the one you closed that morning. That is one of the clearest practical differences between hard shell and soft shell.
Desert nights get cold
Central Australia swings hard. Hot days and nights near freezing in winter, and people pack for the day they arrived. Every On The Horizon rooftop tent has winter insulation built in rather than sold as an add-on, plus a moisture barrier and an anti-condensation pad. Ventilate anyway, because sealing the tent shut on a cold night is what produces damp bedding by morning.
Choosing a tent for Territory touring
On The Horizon hard shell rooftop tents run from $3,290 to $3,990 and set up in 30 to 60 seconds, which matters when camp moves most nights. The 1.4 is 80kg, and the 1.9 Penthouse is 120kg and sleeps three to four. Check your rack's dynamic load rating against that before you order, and if you are not sure, send us what you are running.
Common questions
Do you need a 4WD to get to Chambers Pillar?
Yes. The final section of road into Chambers Pillar is four wheel drive only with soft sand, roughly 160km south of Alice Springs. Check current access conditions with NT Parks and Wildlife, because roads close after rain.
Can you camp at Chambers Pillar?
Yes, at a small basic campground at the reserve. Carry your own water and check current arrangements and fees with NT Parks and Wildlife.
Is a rooftop tent good for Chambers Pillar?
Yes. The ground is hard and sandy, the site is remote, and a hard shell keeps the canvas out of the dust on the drive in. Nights in winter get cold, so an insulated tent makes a real difference.
Related guides