Indigenous CultureRed Centre

Ochre Pits (West MacDonnells)

Be the first to review·1289km · 16h 7min

🚗 16h 7min📍 1289km💰 Free

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Best Time

Dry Season (May–Oct)

Entry Fee

Free

Drive Time

16h 7min

Access

All vehicles

Limited phone signal
Carry 3L water/person/day

A vivid exposed ochre deposit in the West MacDonnell Ranges where multiple layers of ochre — white, red, yellow, and purple — have been mined by Aboriginal people for use in ceremony and body decoration for thousands of years. A 500m walking trail circles the site with interpretive signs. The Ochre Pits are one of Central Australia's most important cultural quarrying sites. The multi-coloured ochre layers are visually striking and have ceremonial significance to the Western Arrernte people.

Explorer Verdict

VerifiedFree entry

Best for

Culturally curious travellers seeking depth

Skip if

Time-poor and only after Instagram shots

Time needed

1-2 hours on site

Best season

Dry Season (May–Oct)

NT Explorer verified

Last updated · 1 month ago

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