The West MacDonnell Ranges run west from Alice Springs for over 150km, and string together some of the best camping in Central Australia. Ormiston Gorge, Ellery Creek, Serpentine, Redbank. Most of it is reachable on sealed road, which makes it one of the easiest genuinely remote trips in the country.
Getting there
Namatjira Drive runs west from Alice Springs and is sealed to most of the main gorges, with unsealed access to some, including Redbank. NT Parks and Wildlife publishes current conditions and closures.
Camping
Several campgrounds run along the range, managed by NT Parks and Wildlife. Check current arrangements and book where required, because the range is popular through the cooler months.
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 for the West MacDonnell Ranges?
Not for most of it. Namatjira Drive is sealed to most of the main gorges west of Alice Springs, though some access, including Redbank, is unsealed. Check current conditions with NT Parks and Wildlife.
Can you camp in the West MacDonnell Ranges?
Yes. Several campgrounds run along the range and are managed by NT Parks and Wildlife. Book where required, as it gets busy in the cooler months.
How cold does it get in the West MacDonnells?
Winter nights in Central Australia can drop close to freezing while the days stay warm. Pack for the night rather than the day, and an insulated rooftop tent makes a noticeable difference.
Related guides
West MacDonnell Ranges Rooftop Tent Touring Guide
The West MacDonnell Ranges run west from Alice Springs for over 150km, and string together some of the best camping in Central Australia. Ormiston Gorge, Ellery Creek, Serpentine, Redbank. Most of it is reachable on sealed road, which makes it one of the easiest genuinely remote trips in the country.
Getting there
Namatjira Drive runs west from Alice Springs and is sealed to most of the main gorges, with unsealed access to some, including Redbank. NT Parks and Wildlife publishes current conditions and closures.
Camping
Several campgrounds run along the range, managed by NT Parks and Wildlife. Check current arrangements and book where required, because the range is popular through the cooler months.
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 for the West MacDonnell Ranges?
Not for most of it. Namatjira Drive is sealed to most of the main gorges west of Alice Springs, though some access, including Redbank, is unsealed. Check current conditions with NT Parks and Wildlife.
Can you camp in the West MacDonnell Ranges?
Yes. Several campgrounds run along the range and are managed by NT Parks and Wildlife. Book where required, as it gets busy in the cooler months.
How cold does it get in the West MacDonnells?
Winter nights in Central Australia can drop close to freezing while the days stay warm. Pack for the night rather than the day, and an insulated rooftop tent makes a noticeable difference.
Related guides