One of Central Australia's popular tourist destinations will remain off-limits for the foreseeable future thanks to damage to the access road from recent rain.
Works to upgrade the Ellery Creek Big Hole's 2km access road in the Tjorita/West Macdonnell National Park started in December and were expected to finish late last month.
May Taylor, regional director from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, said the recent weather event caused significant and extensive damage to the road project.
"We're working with the contractor to assess the damage and to develop a plan to progress the works as soon as possible," she said.
Ms Taylor said the reopening of the road would be delayed.
"We're now in discussions with the contractor and Parks and Wildlife in regards to that revised date," she said.
Washed away
Crews have only been able to access the site to assess the damage in the past week and Ms Taylor said it had been disappointing given the progress the contractors had made.
"In some areas, particularly across that river crossing, it has been washed away," she said.
"We were getting ready to put some finishing touches in a couple of areas.
Heavy plant and equipment stored at the site was also damaged.
"The extent of the floodwaters that came down the Hugh River has seen some of that plant [equipment] actually go underwater," Ms Taylor said.
"Obviously you need some of that key equipment to be able to progress."
Ms Taylor was unable to predict the cost of the damage or even when works would recommence as the priority for contractors was to "get in there and start looking at the damage".
"I can't confirm when the works to actually continue to upgrade the road will recommence."
Ms Taylor said the damage was extensive.
"It's a bit hard to see where the actual road is."
Despite the setback, Ms Taylor said the department was in discussion with Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife.
"We will come up with a plan to get works back on track, but at this stage [I am] unable to give any sort of time frame of when that will be," she said.
Biggest flow in two decades
Parks and Wildlife operations senior director Chris Day said the event was a significant flood for the region.
"The entire Finke River catchment was affected," Mr Day said.
"It was probably the biggest flow since Easter 2000."
Mr Day said they were expecting significant damage to the campsite north of Ellery Creek, which formed part of the Larapinta Trail.
"We have an automatic rain gauge at Mt Sonder. This recorded 112mm from January 27 to 31," he said.
"Then a further 114.8mm to February 3."
Mr Day said rangers would be assessing the effect the recent rain had on the Larapinta Trail, with the season officially starting in early April.
"The biggest issue we get with rain events like this one is the vegetation growth, especially the buffel grass," he said.
"Our focus will be to ensure that walkers will be able to safely navigate the Larapinta Trail for the coming season."
