Northern Territory

West MacDonnell Ranges

The West MacDonnell Ranges, much of which is a national park, runs 200 km west from Alice Springs and is a very accessible park with various highlights throughout its length.

Travelling from east to west these are:

Simpsons Gap	Ormiston Gorge and Pound
Standley Chasm	Glen Helen Gorge
Ellery Creek Big Hole	Roma Gorge
Serpentine Gorge	Tylers Pass
Ochre Pits

Tylers Pass Lookout - view to Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) © Tourism NT All but the last three are accessible by sealed roads. The sealed road ends at Glen Helen and Ormiston Gorges and from Glen Helen there is an unsealed loop road back to Hermannsburg, from where the road is sealed again back to Alice Springs. Finke Gorge National Park is accessed via this loop by 4WD.

The West MacDonnell Ranges National Park www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/find/westmacdonnell has a long distance track called the Larapinta Trail which takes in all the above listed attractions. It begins at the Alice Springs Old Telegraph Station and is 223 km long, running along the spine of the ranges. The walk breaks down into twelve sections, each of one to two days duration. A number of local operators offer day trips and longer in the West MacDonnell Ranges and there are also guided walks on the Larapinta Trail on offer.

Map link: For an Adobe pdf map of the Red Centre produced by the Central Australia Tourism Association, click www.centralaustraliantourism.com(map) - then hit the 'Back' button to return to this page.

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Bamurru Plains Luxury and style in the bush - 9 safari suites with all creature comforts, set on the edge of the Mary River floodplains close to Kakadu and where birdlife and wildlife abounds	Wilderness Australia Specialise in personal and exclusive tailor-made safaris throughout Australia’s diverse environment. Travel at your own speed to places off the beaten tourist track
Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge Spanning 1,000 hectares in a flora and fauna reserve, this unique property is secluded within national parklands in Arnhem Land and surrounded by marine park waters	Lord's Tours Specialists in 4WD day tours day tours to Arnhemland and Jim Jim and Twin Falls with exclusive access to some traditional Aboriginal lands and rock art sites
Auswalk Superb accommodated walking holidays, in every type of Australian environment. Can be guided or self-guided walks guaranteed to depart with as few as 2 persons	WesternXposure A Wide array of 4WD and minibus adventure tours within Western Australia and to Darwin, all with frequent departures. Think WA, think WesternXposure
Skycity Darwin An international 5 star hotel casino spectacularly set amongst tropical beachside gardens, located only moments from the central Darwin	Palms City Resort Unique low rise boutique-style resort comprising 39 free standing villas plus 50 motel rooms, all in landscaped gardens in a superb location in Darwin.
Oz Experience The original hop on, hop off small group touring network for active and independent travellers. It's not an express bus, it's more than a tour, it's the ultimate ride!	Real Aussie Adventures Authentic tours by independent tour operators offering a real sense of adventure and escape for young active people - covers WA, NT, SA, Vic and Tas.

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Wilderness and Outback travel ideas throughout Australia including the NT

Scenic view, West MacDonnell Ranges © Tourism NT

Standley Chasm, West MacDonnell Ranges © Tourism NT

DID YOU KNOW ... Ellenborough Falls, perched on the edge of the New England Tableland just north of Taree in NSW, is regarded as Australia's tallest single-drop waterfall with a 160 metre drop.