West MacDonnell Ranges Full-Day Tour

The West MacDonnell, Ranges full-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. Have time to enjoy the region's natural beauty. Travel in the desert sun, visit gorges and waterfalls, spot local wildlife, and learn from your expert guide. Tour attractions include Anzac Hill, John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Mount Sonder Lookout, Glen Helen, Ochre Pits and return to your hotel. Picnic Lunch included. While you do your picnic walk or swimming at Ormiston Gorge, we do bush cooking, including Kangaroo and Lamb, and your picnic lunch is ready for you once you arrive. The total attractions stop at 280 minutes, and the total driving time is 320 minutes on this tour.

What to expect:

Duration: 10 hours, 15 minutes

Anzac Hill

3 Anzac Hill Rd, Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Our first visit is at the iconic local landmark of Anzac Hill, where you can take in panoramic views over 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. Total driving time from your hotel to Anzac Hill 15 minutes

20 minutes

John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve

Larapinta Drive, 7kms to the west of Alice Springs near Mt Gillen, Alice Springs, 0870, Northern Territory

Your next stopping will be at Flynn’s Grave Memorial, the resting place of Reverend Flynn, the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. We make short stops to relax and enjoy the changing colors of the magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges and get some photos. Total driving time from Anzac Hill to John Flynn's Historical reserve 20minutes allocated.

20 minutes

Simpsons Gap

18 Kilometres West from Alice Springs, Alice Springs, 0872, Northern Territory

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 Black-footed Rock-wallabies along the walking track into the rocky slopes gap. After finishing your bush walk your guide will invite you to complimentary bush Tea and Coffee at Simpsons Gap. Total driving time allocated from John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve, to Simpsons Gap is 15 minutes

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Standley Chasm Angkerle

Larapinta Drive, 0872, Northern Territory

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. Total driving time allocated from Simpsons Gap to Standley Chasm is 35 minutes.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Ellery Creek Big Hole

West MacDonnell National Park, Alice Springs, 0872, Northern Territory

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. Tota driving time allocated from Standley Chasm to Ellery Creek Big Hole 55 minutes.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Ormiston Gorge

Namatjira Drive, Northern Territory

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. Picnic Lunch included. While you do your picnic walk or swimming at Ormiston Gorge, we do bush cooking, including Kangaroo and Lamb, and your picnic lunch is ready for you once you arrive. The total driving time allocated from Ellery Creek Big Hole to Ormiston Gorge is 45 minutes.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Mount Sonder

, , Northern Territory

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. Total driving time allocated from Ormiston Gorge To Mount Sonder Lookout is 10 minutes.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Glen Helen

Glen Helen, Northern Territory

Your next stop will be at Glen Helen. Historic Glen Helen Homestead is the perfect place to have your lunch. Enjoy an a la carte lunch in the restaurant, or you may enjoy it with a drink, coffee or ice cream (not included in the tour package). 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. Total driving time allocated from Mount Sonder Lookout to Glen Helen: 5 minutes. Then, arrive at Honeymoon Gap from Glen Helen is approximately 1 hour allocated in the tour.

45 minutes

Temple Bar Caravan Park

875 Ilparpa Rd, Arumbera NT 0870, Australia

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.
The name 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 official name of the gap should remain Temple Bar Gap.

30 minutes

Ochre Pits

Burt Plain, Northern Territory

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.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included