Run Larapinta organisers say Discovery Glen Helen closure will not impact race

Organisers of the sold-out running event have devised several contingency plans to ensure the Run Larapinta could go ahead in the wake of Discovery Glen Helen’s closure.

Discovery Parks Glen Helen will "temporarily close" with no clear timeline for reopening. PHOTO: Discovery Parks and Resort Facebook

The sold out Run Larapinta event will not be impacted by the temporary closure of Discovery Glen Helen, with organisers reassuring competitors there is a “Plan B and C” in place.

Run Larapinta is a four stage race set to take place between Thursday, August 24 and Sunday, August 27.

The competition covers various sections of the Larapinta Trail, with the website stating the event will be based in Alice Springs for the first two days and Glen Helen for the last two days.

However, when Discovery Glen Helen announced it would be closing its campground from July 10, with Lodge Rooms and food and beverage facilities to close on September 6, concerned competitors took to Facebook to speculate how it may impact the race.

Glen Helen is the only accommodation in the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Emma Kraft on the trail in the Run Larapinta at the 2016 event. Picture: REG HATCH.

While some had booked rooms, many had planned on staying in caravans or tents – a common occurrence for the event.

Event organisers Rapid Ascent were quick to reassure competitors that the closure will not impact the event.

“We are very aware of the situation at Glen Helen and have been in communication with them daily,” organisers said in a Facebook update.

“They are doing all that they can to stay open over the Run Larapinta weekend for our competitors who have a booking with them directly, or in the Camp Village.

“The issue is to do with getting enough water in to the property; of which Rapid Ascent are working directly with them to make this happen.

“We will know more in the coming days and will communicate with participants accordingly.”

They went on to comment that there was “a plan B and C” but assured competitors “we are doing all we can to keep Plan A”

G’day Group announces Discovery Parks Glen Helen will ‘temporarily close’

Discovery Parks Glen Helen campground stopped operations on Monday, with the owners stating 400 bookings were impacted with “no clear timeline for reopening”.

Glen Helen is a popular tourism destination and home to the Glen Helen Gorge, renowned as one of the best gorges in Central Australia for swimming.

The Discovery Parks Glen Helen property is the only accommodation within the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park.

G’day Group chief operations officer Matt Lang said despite investing more than $7m in upgrades to the property, which the group acquired in 2021, water remained a “key operational hurdle”.

The property is the only source of accommodation within the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park. Photo: Supplied.

“When the company acquired the property in 2021, it inherited a tired asset facing significant infrastructure challenges, including water supply and associated treatment and sewerage facilities,” he said.

“The costs involved in maintaining the infrastructure and ensuring a reliable supply to the property have become prohibitively high.

“While there is no clear timeline for reopening we are committed to working through a solution which will deliver on the long-term needs of the property and get the property open again as soon as possible.”

Mr Lang said the campground would cease operations from Monday, July 10 with lodge rooms and food and beverage facilities ceasing operation after September 6.

Discovery Parks Glen Helen campground will cease operating from Monday, with lodge rooms and food and beverage facilities to close in September. PHOTO: Discovery Parks and Resort Facebook

He said the company would continue to have discussions with the government and other stakeholders around accessing a local bore to support the park’s water needs.

“We are optimistic about the path forward,” he said.

A G’Day Group spokesman confirmed more than 400 bookings had been impacted in the temporary closure, with affected guests being offered credit for their bookings or to have their bookings honoured at other G’Day Group properties in the region, including in Alice Springs and Kings Canyon.

“We are also offering impacted guests a discount for accommodation at these properties should they wish to upgrade from a site to a cabin or a room,” he said.

“Impacted guests are being contacted by our Reservations team, with those who have bookings in the next two weeks contacted as a priority.

“All other guests with upcoming bookings will be contacted over the next week.”