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Chambers Pillar

Start		Alice Springs
Finish		Chambers Pillar
Difficulty
Suitable For
Distance	160.92 km
Minimum Days	1
Average Speed	62.13 km/hr
Travel Time	2 hrs 35 mins 24 secs

Route By: ExplorOz - Michelle Martin

Page Updated: 21 Oct 2021

Description

This trek starts at Alice Springs and travels south on the Old South Road taking in some ruins along the way to the small town of Maryvale. It then heads south east to Chambers Pillar which is an amazing rock formation in the Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve. This part of the trek is extremely scenic and is a good introduction to the type of scenery you would see in the Simpson Desert although the route runs between dunes and is relatively easy.

The track to Chambers Pillar is officially not recommended for trailers but other than a bit of sand, a rocky low range 2nd steep descent and patches of corrugations, it is straightforward and many people do bring them. There are red dunes on either side of the track, bits and pieces of historic ruins, and not a car in sight. The track is mostly sand and has good drainage when wet.

You can climb up to the base of the vertical section of Chambers pillar to view the inscribed names of the famous explorers who passed here before the Telegraph and Ghan was built and there's a nice walk around the base of Castle Rock. Late afternoon is the best time to view the rainbow colours of the ridge that glow vibrantly when struck by the golden rays of the setting sun.

How to Use this Route

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 2026 mapset!

RouteID: 41

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 Route- 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.

Permits

Chambers Pillar lies in an Historical Reserve and you do not need permission to enter it. Also, you do not need an Aboriginal Land Permit because you won't be passing through any restricted land.

Fuel Usage

Diesel	ULP	LPG
4cyl 21 litres *	4cyl 26 litres	4cyl 32 litres
6cyl 25 litres	6cyl 32 litres *	6cyl 28 litres
8cyl 25 litres	8cyl 27 litres

Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this route) and calculated based on route distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Alice Springs Airport

Distance from Route Mid Point 54.75km N

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mean Max. °C	36.4	35.1	32.6	28.2	23.0	19.8	19.7	22.6	27.2	30.9	33.6	35.4
Mean Min. °C	21.5	20.7	17.5	12.6	8.2	5.0	4.0	6.0	10.3	14.8	17.9	20.2
Mean Rain mm	38.6	43.8	32.3	16.3	18.9	13.6	15.0	9.2	8.5	21.4	29.1	36.9

Best time to travel Ok time to travel Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Alice Springs to Ewaninga Ruin

Driving: 32.08 km

Heading: 171°

Avg Speed: 71.5 km/hr

EST Time: 26:55

Ewaninga Ruin to Ooraminna Ruin

Driving: 34.17 km

Heading: 162°

Avg Speed: 73.2 km/hr

EST Time: 28:00

Ooraminna Ruin to Old South Rd & Phillipson Stock Route

Driving: 6.66 km

Heading: 159°

Avg Speed: 84.45 km/hr

EST Time: 04:43

Old South Rd & Phillipson Stock Route to Old South Rd & Hugh River Stock Route

Driving: 11.2 km

Heading: 201°

Avg Speed: 74.55 km/hr

EST Time: 09:00

Old South Rd & Hugh River Stock Route to Bokhara Ruin

Driving: 10.3 km

Heading: 168°

Avg Speed: 79.58 km/hr

EST Time: 07:45

Bokhara Ruin to Mount Madigan

Driving: 12.75 km

Heading: 162°

Avg Speed: 78.57 km/hr

EST Time: 09:44

Mount Madigan to Maryvale

Driving: 9.78 km

Heading: 186°

Avg Speed: 65.86 km/hr

EST Time: 08:54

Maryvale to Hugh River, Chambers Pillar Rd

Driving: 4.73 km

Heading: 251°

Avg Speed: 51.2 km/hr

EST Time: 05:32

Hugh River, Chambers Pillar Rd to Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve

Driving: 37.16 km

Heading: 227°

Avg Speed: 43.97 km/hr

EST Time: 50:42

Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve to Castle Rock

Driving: 1.21 km

Heading: 117°

Avg Speed: 39.95 km/hr

EST Time: 01:49

Castle Rock to Chambers Pillar

Driving: 0.88 km

Heading: 227°

Avg Speed: 20.58 km/hr

EST Time: 02:33

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

Facilities

Where to Stay

The camp sites are excellent - great views of both Castle Rock and Chambers Pillar, free gas BBQs, hotplates, fire pits and large picnic tables. The camp sites are not ideal for campertrailers or caravans with bollards making sites better suited to tent campers. Although you can camp in the shade your vehicle certainly won't be. This is a consideration in hotter weather as there is no power to keep fridges or batteries charged.

Chambers Pillar - NT

Paid Camp

Position: -24.87614 133.82513

Services & Supplies

No Services & Supplies available for this route

Wildflowers

Nearby ExplorOz Routes

Related Travel Journals

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