On a full-day tour from Alice Springs, you can explore West MacDonnell Ridge. Your experienced guide will take you to attractions like Simpsons Gap, Ormiston Gorge, Ochre Pits, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek, and Glen Helen. Along the way, you can admire the region’s natural beauty and capture photos of the Australian outback. Discover rugged canyons, hidden waterholes, and historic sites. Don’t forget to take a swim and go hiking during the tour.
Tour Information
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Day 1
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Departure 7:00 from Alice Springs
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Returns 17:30 to Alice Springs
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Price $ 125 - 175 AUD
Highlights
- The West MacDonnell National Park, known as Tjoritja by the indigenous custodians, is worth exploring.
- Explore the 80m high gorge, Standley Chasm, called ‘Angkerle Atwatye’. Enjoy a swim at the stunning Ellery Creek Big Hole, one of Central Australia’s largest and most beautiful swimming spots.
- One can visit the UNESCO-listed Ochre Pit mineral rockface and observe the coloured ochre clay still used in traditional ceremonies.
- Take some time to relax and rejuvenate at Ormiston Gorge, also known as ‘Kwartatuma’, surrounded by impressive towering walls.
- Native wildlife, including the black-footed rock wallaby, can be spotted in the Simpsons Gap region, also known as ‘Rungutjirpa’.
What you can actually see!
Itinerary
Alice Springs – West MacDonnell Ranges
We depart Alice Springs and head towards Standley Chasm, or ‘Angkerle Atwatye’, a 3-meter-wide, 80-meter-high gorge within the West MacDonnell Ranges. We explore the natural beauty of this area and continue west to Ellery Creek Bighole, also known as ‘Udepata’, where we can cool off and swim surrounded by red cliffs and sandy banks. Our next stop is Ormiston Gorge, where we admire the geological formations that created the towering red walls. Our final stop is Simpsons Gap, a permanent waterhole and a place to observe native wildlife. After a full day, we returned to Alice Springs for the evening.
Meals: Lunch Driving
Distance: 310 km
Walking Distance: Approximately 3km / 4km
Details
Exclusions
- Any meals not previously indicated in the itinerary
- We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance
- Pre/post-tourhotel transfers
- Additional personal expenses
Aditional Information
What do you need to bring?
- Refillable water bottle (at least 2 Litres)
- Beach towels, swimwear & toiletries
- Clothing suitable for all weather (extreme conditions inc, wind, rain, heat, cold, day/night)
- Insect repellent (tropical strength)
- Sun protection – wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses & sunscreen
- Sturdy & comfortable shoes for hiking (tread closed toe)
- Small day pack 5-7kg
- Cash for extra snacks and meals
- Camera to capture the memories
Pickup Time & Location
- 7:00am – Alice Motor Inn – 25-27 Undoolya Rd East Alice Springs
- 7:00am – Alice on Todd Apartments – 1 Strehlow St The Gap
- 7:00am – Aurora Alice Springs Hotel – 11 Leichhardt Terrace Alice Springs
- 7:00am – Best Western Elkira Court Motel – 65 Bath St Alice Springs
- 7:00am – Crowne Plaza Lasseters – 93 Barrett Dr Alice Springs
- 7:00am – Gday Mate Tourist Park – 23 Palm Circuit Ross Alice Springs
- 7:00am – Haven Backpacker Resort – 3 Larapinta Dr Alice Springs
- 7:00am – Mercure Alice Springs Resort -34 Stott Terrace Alice Springs
- 7:00am – Quest Alice Springs – 10 South Terrace Alice Springs
- 7:00am – Swagmans Rest Apartments The – 67 Gap Rd Alice Springs