West MacDonnell Ranges Full Day Tour -Small Group

Our first visit of the day is at Anzac Hill, where you will be able to take in panoramic views over the town of Alice Springs and the surrounding MacDonnell ranges. You may be able to capture one photo to cover the entire town. Anzac Hill is a memorial dedicated to those who served in Australia’s defense forces during all international wars. The total driving time from your hotel to Anzac Hill 15 minutes.

Temple Bar Gap/ Honeymoon Gap is a small gap south of Larapinta Drive opposite Simpsons Gap, 14km west of Alice Springs. The gap is of great significance to the Arrernte people, the traditional owners of the land. Temple Bar Gap fell out of favor following the site becoming the honeymoon location for Robert (Bob) and Victoria (Vicky) Darken who married at the Alice Springs Methodist Church on 25 June 1942. Bob Darken was given a week's leave from the army and the couple planned to camp for a week at the gap and borrowed a car and a tent. The couple had repeated issues with the car and it rained for most of the week so, friends decided to visit them regularly; they said they were "going to see the honeymooners" or "going to honeymoon gap".

It was not until 1981 that the name of the pass was officially changed to Honeymoon Gap and, in 2004, the NT Place Names Committee agreed that, the name of the gap should remain Temple Bar Gap. Driving time from Anzac Hill to Temple Bar Gap 20 minutes

Simpson Gap features the towering cliffs of Simpsons Range, a permanent waterhole, and opportunities to spot resident wildlife, ancient Red River Gums with a taste of Central Australia. Simpsons Gap is a significant site to the local Arrernte Aboriginal people and was the mythological home of giant goanna ancestors.

We will take you on a short, easy walk alongside a picturesque dry creek bed that leads to a dramatic gap in the MacDonnell Ranges and a waterhole rich in native wildlife, flora, and geology. Sometimes, you may even spot you might see Black-footed Rock-wallabies along the walking track into the rocky slopes gap. After your bush walk, your guide will invite you to complimentary bush Tea and Coffee at Simpsons Gap. The driving time allocated from Honeymoon Gap to Simpsons Gap is 15 minutes.

The next stop on your exploration of the West MacDonnell is a picturesque walk at Standley Chasm. After Mrs Ida Standley, who in 1914 became the first school teacher in Alice Springs, this place was named Standley Chasm. Walking access to the dramatic 80m sheer rock-face of the chasm is along a well-maintained trail (1.2km/15mins each way), following the natural creek bed with seating & interpretative signage. Angkerle Atwatye, “the Gap of Water”, is a striking geological formation with significant botanical, bird-watching & wildlife photography appeal. The driving time from Simpsons Gap to Standley Chasm is 45 minutes.

Your next stop will be at Ellery Creek Big Hole. It is the biggest and deepest waterhole in Central Australia. The spectacular waterhole is fed by the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja) and is surrounded by tall red cliffs and the sandy Ellery Creek. Thousands of years of massive floods have carved out this waterhole, which is recognized as an internationally significant geological site. A sandy beach lines this huge waterhole, offering superb swimming and beautiful scenery. The driving time from Standley Chasm to Ellery Creek is 45 minutes.

Your next stop will be at Ormiston Gorge. Ormiston Gorge has become a must-see on any visit to the West Macs. The Ormiston Gorge has a near-permanent waterhole that is ideal for swimming, especially in the warmer months. The spectacular scenery features the soaring cliffs of an ancient mountain range, incredible rock formations, and a picturesque sandy river bed lined by giant River Red Gums. Walk up to a stunning lookout overlooking a beautiful swimming hole and cool off with a swim in this surprisingly big, deep permanent waterhole. While you do the swimming or enjoy a picnic walk, we do bush cooking, including Lamb/ Kangaru meet and make your picnic lunch ready once you come back. The total driving time from Ellery Creek Big Hole to Ormiston Gorge is 45 minutes.

Our next stop is Mount Sonder Lookout. This 360 ⁰ vista looks out towards the imposing Mt Sonder and over a beautifully scenic. Look for the wide range of birds of prey, such as the Wedge-tailed eagle and the Peregrine falcon and wood swallows circling the summit, riding the thermal updraughts. The view is a favorite spot for photographers and landscape artists. Driving time from Ormiston Gorge to Mount Sonder Lookout is 10 minutes.

Your next stop will be at Glen Helen. Historic Glen Helen Homestead is the perfect place to relax for a while. Next, you may take a short walk down a gorgeous waterhole for a swim next to the striking Glen Helen Gorge. At Glen Helen Gorge, the ranges are part of making way for the Finke River. This permanent waterhole is an essential refuge in the hot summer months for all nine species of fish recorded for the Finke, as well as migrating water birds. The total driving time from Mount Sonder Lookout to Glen Helen is 10 minutes.

Then, arriving at your hotel from Glen Helen is approximately 120 minutes allocated in the tour.

Your next visit to see the vivid colours of the mineral Ochre Pits. The ochre pits are a colourful outcrop on the banks of a sandy creek. Magnificent scenery, colours, gums and a nice leisurely walk up the dry sandy river bed to view up close this treasure of the site.

Ochre occurs in a range of earthy colours, including white, yellow, orange, red, and brown. It’s an important part of Aboriginal culture that is used in everyday life. It’s the raw material for paintings and ceremonial body decoration.

Ochre was used to paint weapons to increase hunting success and protect wooden weapons from termites. Red ochre was mixed into an ointment to relieve decongestion, and white ochre was used as a magical charm.

These pits are significant Aboriginal Heritage sites. It is the only quarry for ochre in Central Australia that is open to visitors. The right to continue to take ochre from this site is protected by the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976.