Ruby Gap Nature Park Ruby Gap is linked to the first When to Visit mining rush in Central Australia. The Park is generally accessible Safety and Comfort In March 1886, explorer David all year round, however the cooler • Observe park safety signs. Lindsay found what he thought months (April to September) are • Carry and drink plenty of water. were rubies in the bed of the more pleasant. Allow a full day • Wear a shady hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, suitable Hale River. By May 1887 there to visit Ruby Gap and two days if clothing and footwear. were over 200 people in the area you plan to do any walking or visit • Avoid strenuous activity during prospecting for rubies. By then Arltunga Historical Reserve. the heat of the day. Fact Sheet gold had been discovered in the What to Do • Consider your health and fitness creek near Paddys Rockhole, when choosing a walk. Camping - There are no 45 km to the west, which led to facilities available but Please Remember the establishment of the Arltunga camping is permitted along the • Keep to designated roads and Goldfield. tracks. river between the park entrance • All historic, cultural items and At the beginning of the ‘ruby’ rush and Ruby Gap. Camping fees wildlife are protected. European buyers were keen, but (cash only, no change available) as the market was flooded, buyers • Use gas barbecues or fuel stoves apply and should be deposited in where possible. began to question their quality. the box at the entrance to the Park. • Firewood collection is not By June 1888, it was found that Walking - Much of the permitted in the park. the stones were merely high grade Park’s terrain is extremely • Bins are not provided, please garnets, not nearly as valuable as rugged and is only suitable for the take your rubbish with you. rubies. Central Australia’s ruby experienced walker. There are no • Pets are not permitted. boom quickly collapsed. marked trails. Visitors can follow • Generators are not permitted. Today Ruby Gap retains its the river bed and tracks upstream: • A permit is required for Drone remoteness, providing some use – conditions apply and it • 4 km, 2 hours return to Glen excellent opportunities for bush must be obtained prior to your Annie Gorge arrival in the Park. camping and viewing Central • 8 km, 4 hours return to Fox’s Australia’s scenic rugged terrain. Grave via Glen Annie Gorge Floods - The Hale River is Access Driving - Do not enter the Hale susceptible to flash flooding Situated 150 km east of River if the sand is soft and wet after heavy rain. If it begins Alice Springs, access to after recent heavy rain. In the to rain heavily, leave the Park Ruby Gap is via Arltunga Historical event of mishap or breakdown stay immediately. Do not attempt to Reserve and the Binns Track. with your vehicle. Do not attempt cross flooded creeks. Wait on high A high clearance 4WD is essential. to walk back to Arltunga. ground. Rain may cause the roads to become temporarily impassable. For a safe trip carry an EPIRB, Personal Locator Beacon or Satellite Phone. Inform a reliable person of your travel plans and intended day of return. From the park entrance there is a 5 km drive along the river bed and then a 2 km walk (one way) to Glen Annie Gorge is a highlight for visitors who allow reach Glen Annie Gorge. extra time to explore the park on foot Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory Trephina Gorge Ranger Station Regional Office - Arid Zone Research Institute Ph: (08) 8956 9765 South Stuart Highway ALICE SPRINGS NT 0870 PO Box 1120 ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871 www.nt.gov.au/parks Ph: (08) 8951 8250 Fax: (08) 8951 8290 Ruby Gap Nature Park Darwin Locality Map To Darwin rist R oad (Arl a Tou out s R tung e) rden Ga The S t u a 0315 0 r t Arltunga Kilometres Historical Reserve Ruby Gap H Nature Park i g Trephina Gorge h w Nature Park a y Arltunga Bush(closed) Hotel Ross River (closed) Alice Springs y a Resort Corroboree Rock w Telelgraph h Conservation ig Station H Reserve N'Dhala Gorge Yeperenye / Nature Park s s ALICE Emily & Jessie Gap o SPRINGS R Alice Springs Airport On Park Locality Off Park Locality y a Sealed Road w h Meals Accommodation ig H Unsealed Road Fuel Caravan Sites Ewaninga Siding 4WD Track rt a (Old Ghan Railway) Toilets Camping tu (Old Park Boundary S Napwerte / Ewaninga Rock To Adelaide Carvings Conservation Reserve To Plenty Highway 80 km Alice Springs 173 km isitor Centre F's Arltuna Grae m Arltuna Bush istorical Ruby Gap otel Resere (closed) ards ards Nature Park m To Ross Highway 33 km m Alice Springs 110 km Trephina Gorge 48 km 13 m See Par ap below 15 m 2 m Atnarpa nsealed Road omestead Gle nne WD Track Gorge 05 0 2m Kilometres R iv er Vehicles prohibited past this point e l a 2m H Ruby a To Arltunga Bush 5km Vehicles not Hotel (closed) 40 km recommended past this point r e ark a iv R Ruby Gap Facilities Activities WD Track Information Walin Track Camping Drainae 00.5 Short Wals Par Boundary e l Kilometres a H A/02/2020PWCNT Fact Sheet For more information visit www.nt.gov.au/parks or contact Tourism Central Australia 1800 645 199 or (08) 8952 5800 www.discovercentralaustralia.com.