West MacDonnell Ranges & Standley Chasm Day Trip from Alice Springs

4.9 (85 reviews) 10 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

85 reviews

4.9

West MacDonnell Ranges National Park, Standley Chasm — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

West MacDonnell Ellery Creek Big Hole — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Experience the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja) on a small-group adventure combining guided walks, wildlife spotting, Aboriginal cultural insights and spectacular swimming holes.

Explore alongside an experienced local outback guide who accompanies you on the walks, sharing insights into the landscapes, wildlife and cultural significance of Central Australia.

Walk through Simpsons Gap (Rungutjirpa) in search of the endangered black-footed rock wallaby and marvel at the towering 80-metre walls of Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye). Cool off with a refreshing swim at Ellery Creek Big Hole, surrounded by dramatic red cliffs and ghost gums.

Discover the culturally significant Ochre Pits, where vibrant mineral-rich ochres have been used by Aboriginal people for thousands of years in art and ceremony, before exploring magnificent Ormiston Gorge (Kwartatuma).

With guided walks, local knowledge, wildlife, culture and ancient waterholes, experience the natural wonders of Tjoritja.

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At a glance

Duration: 10 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 23 people
People per booking: 1–23
Written guide: Hindi, German, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Malay, English, Italian, French, Hungarian, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Polish, Dutch
Audio guide: German, Portuguese, Korean, English, Italian, French, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Dutch
Guide: English
Operated by: Autopia Tours

Ages: Children (6–12 years) · Adults (13–85 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Morning tea & picnic lunch
Included: Selected Alice Spring inner-city pick-up/drop-off points
Included: Air-conditioned mini-coach travel with local tour commentary
Included: Guided bush walks (3-4km, subject to fitness level)
Included: Translation app service available in several different languages.
Included: Angkerle Atwatye – Standley Chasm entry fee

Not included

Not included: NT Park Day Pass for West MacDonnell Ranges National Park is required prior to travel
Not included: Hotel transfers pre/post tour itinerary to a nominated pickup point.
Not included: Personal expenses

Itinerary

Alice Springs

one hour

We depart Alice Spring on an adventure to explore exploring the West MacDonnell National Park and surrounding UNESCO-listed areas onboard our West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja) day trip.
Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park

2 hours Admission included

Explore the West MacDonnell National Park, known by the traditional owners as Tjoritja.
Ormiston Gorge

one hour

Refresh within the towering walls of Ormiston Gorge, traditionally known as Kwartatuma.
Ochre Pits

one hour

See the UNESCO-listed Ochre Pit mineral rockface and coloured clay ochre still used in traditional ceremonies
Stop 5

one hour

Cool off at Ellery Creek Big Hole, one of Central Australia's largest and most beautiful swimming spots.
Standley Chasm Angkerle

one hour Admission included

Marvel at the awe of Standley Chasm traditionally known as Angkerle Atwatye as you meander through the 80m high gorge.
Stop 7

2 hours

Try for a glimpse of the very shy black-footed-rock-wallaby and other native wildlife through Simpsons Gap, traditionally known as Rungutjirpa.
Alice Springs

one hour

We deliver you back to Alice Springs to your chosen accommodation around 18:00pm, as you reflect on your day of exploration and wonder.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Our main meeting point for this tour will be outside Stay at Alice Springs Hotel, 11 Leichhardt Terrace Alice Springs at 7:30am. Please advise us of your hotel details, so we can provide you with an exact pickup time according to your accommodation.

End point

Our main meeting point for this tour will be outside Stay at Alice Springs Hotel, 11 Leichhardt Terrace Alice Springs at 7:30am. Please advise us of your hotel details, so we can provide you with an exact pickup time according to your accommodation.

Using your ticket

Our main meeting point for this tour is outside the front of the Mantra Alice Springs Hotel, 11 Leichhardt Terrace, Alice Springs @ 7:30am. Alternatively, other hotel pickup location are available please contact our reservations team to find out more.

Please be waiting out the front at least 10 minutes before departure. For any enquiries or wish to change your pickup location, please call our reservations team on +61 (08) 7913 7144.

We ask that you make us aware of any dietary requirements or food allergies at the time of booking as lunch and morning tea is provided on tour.

The most common conditions we treat on tour are dehydration and heat-related illnesses. Heat and physical activity can sometimes take you by surprise, so stay alert. Be sure to follow your guide's instructions on how much water to take on tour, and if you start to feel unwell, let them know immediately. Do not stray from the designated tracks. We’ll always guide you along the safest routes, but remember — this is the outback, and wildlife encounters are inevitable if you venture off the beaten path.

We would like to inform you that a NT Parks Day Pass is required for entry into Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park for day trips. This pass is not included in the tour price, so we recommend purchasing it in advance to ensure a seamless entry on the day of your tour. The Angkerle Atwatye – Standley Chasm entry fee is included. (From 01 April 2027, this park pass will be included in your ticket price)

*Autopia Tours reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary schedule during seasonal weather fluctuations and/or during park closures due to traditional landowner ceremonies.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Service animals allowed
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
A minimum moderate level of fitness is required to complete the walks.
Child policy 6 years old and over, not suitable for children 5 years old and under.
This itinerary may vary to adapt to seasonal changes and occasionally spots in the parks close or do not allow swimming. As safety is our top priority we plan accordingly to ensure our guests have the most fun and best experience possible while on tour.
Please ensure you have checked the average temperatures for the time of year you are travelling and have packed adequate clothing.
Alternative, pickup locations are available within the Alice Springs area. To change please contact our reservations team for details.
Prior to booking, we strongly recommend guests purchase travel insurance.