Alice Springs Airport to West MacDonnell Half-Day Tour

4 hours

Alice Springs Airport to West MacDonnell Half-Day Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Alice Springs Airport to West MacDonnell Ranges half-day tour is an excellent opportunity to explore the panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges. View spectacular outback scenery and take photos as we travel through magnificent Outback Country, stopping at the many historical locations. Tour attractions include airport pickup, Anzac Hill, John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Honeymoon Gap, and return to the Alice Springs Airport or drop you at your hotel.

We provide Alice Springs and its surroundings sightseeing tour services in the Northern Territory. Our tour operations concentrate on a maximum of eleven travelers. It is not only just sightseeing tours, but also you get to know about Alice Springs. Our tour operators know the local geology, history, climate, flora, and fauna of the McDonnell Ranges and Alice Springs. This is convenience way to explore West MacDonnell ranges starting from Alice Springs airport.

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At a glance

Duration: 4 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 11 people
People per booking: 1–11
Guide: English
Operated by: Alice Springs Tours & Transfers

Ages: Adults (3–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Carbonated beverages: Soda/Pop
Included: Bottled water
Included: Light snacks included
Included: Tea and coffee: Coffee and/or Tea

Itinerary

Stop 1

15 min

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 favour 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, concerned for their safety, 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.
Simpsons Gap

30 min Admission included

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.
Standley Chasm Angkerle

40 min Admission included

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.
John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve

15 min

Your next stopping will be at Flynn’s Grave Memorial, the resting place of Reverend Flynn, the founder of Royal Flying Doctor Service. We make short stopping to relax and enjoy the changing colours of the magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges and get some photos.
Anzac Hill

20 min

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.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

End point

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

If you cancel	You get back
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.