Alice Springs Day Trip | West MacDonnell Ranges Tour

Departures are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year and on Saturdays from June to September starting in March 2023.

Make this memorable 1 day Alice Springs tour to West MacDonnell Ranges unforgettable! You will be taken to include Simpsons Gap, Ormiston Gorge, Ochre Pits, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek and Glen Helen. Alice Springs is also the base from which to visit other spectacular outback scenery like Kata Tjuta and Ayers Rock. These panoramic landscapes present excellent photo opportunities, especially during summer when purple colours are stunning against the desert sun. When planning your journey, it is necessary to take into account booking conditions and cancellation policies, particularly during inclement weather or park closure times. Comfortable clothing should be worn, including light clothes for daytime use and warm ones for cooler nights due to variations in desert climate. Expect moderate-level beautiful walks that require a fairly good level of fitness when embarking on this adventure. The full-day trip includes visiting ancient rock formations such as Serpentine Gorge, providing an open display of natural geological forces. The experienced guide will discuss extensively the sites’ historical and cultural significance, nourishing your understanding of the ancient landscape and Aboriginal culture.

Highlights

  • Discover the captivating West MacDonnell National Park or Tjoritja as passionately known by its Indigenous custodians; discover its secrets.
  • Explore the beautiful gorge called Standley Chasm, traditionally named ‘Angkerle Atwatye’, which has a height of 80 meters. Go for a rejuvenating dip at Central Australia’s outstanding swimming location, Ellery Creek Big Hole.
  • Peek into the UNESCO-recognized Ochre Pit mineral rock face to see vivid clay tones and enigmatic ancient customs.
  • Relax and revitalize in Kwartatuma, which is the local name for Ormiston Gorge.
  • In Simpson Gap area you will encounter wildlife such as black-footed rock wallaby which is also referred to as Rungutjirpa.

Pricing options

The tour with hostel dorm accommodation costs $125-175 AUD per person.
Age Restrictions: 18+.
If desired, assistance can be provided in arranging a private group tour. This option allows for the flexibility of exploring preferred sights at one’s own pace with their group. Contact our fantastic team of charters at [email protected] for all the juicy details!
Private room upgrades? Enhance your stay with the ultimate luxury of a private double, twin, or single ensuite room, exclusively available through our esteemed business partner.
Availability is subject to booking at the time.

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What to Expect?

Visit Alice Springs

This tour starts at Alice Springs, going towards Standley Chasm or ‘Angkerle Atwatye’, which is a stunning serpentine gorge within the West MacDonnell Ranges. Our main focus is on appreciating the natural beauty of the area and observing Indigenous fauna. Afterwards, we move westwards to Ellery Creek Bighole, also known as ‘Udepata’, with its towering blood-red cliffs and sandy shores at Ellery Creek. The next stop on our itinerary is Ormiston Gorge, where one can observe the impressive geological features of towering red rocks. Finally, we reach Simpsons Gap, a picturesque waterhole in the Tjoritja West MacDonnells area. This particular location holds cultural significance since it represents a sacred site where different Indigenous Dreamtime paths and narratives cross each other. After an amazing day exploring some of Central Australia’s iconic natural locations, we return to Alice Springs easily. This would mean that we drop you off at your accommodation tonight so that you can have a nostalgic look back on the adventures of the day. Lunch: 310km driving, with walking about 3-4 kilometres.

Covid Safety Measures

Wildlife Tours is a COVID Safe accredited business and follows advice from Safe Work Australia and the ATEC COVID Ready badge program. To reduce the danger of Coronavirus for both our Tour Guides and our Guests, we have put protocols in place that focus on four key areas.

  • Ensuring adequate management of staff and passenger wellbeing.
  • Please observe social distancing whenever possible
  • Enhanced hygiene standards and increased cleaning regime
  • Feel safe when boarding our vehicle as complimentary hand sanitiser and trendy disposable face masks are provided.
  • Establishing a fully vaccinated workplace
  • Pickup times and locations.
Pickup times and locations.
Tour Style

The Northern Territory has a roller coaster climate that rapidly changes all the time. During the dry season, they feel scorched by temperatures that exceed 40+ degrees Celsius, which significantly reduces them in the evenings. Prepare yourself by checking seasonal weather conditions updates before your trip and selecting appropriate clothing! If there is rain or extreme weather conditions, expect your tour to continue unless otherwise directed.

Need to bring?
Tour Inclusions

Important Notes

FAQ

The magnificent mountains of West MacDonnell Ranges stretch 160 kilometres westward from Alice Springs. These ranges are famous for their dramatic landscapes which include deep gorges, sheer cliffs plus various vegetation types and wildlife..

For those planning on going for a day trip to the West MacDonnell Ranges, it would be advisable that they take along sunscreen, a hat, good shoes, a water bottle, a camera, and a swimming costume. Although some tours provide lunch it’s better to confirm earlier and carry snacks just in case.

Most Western McDonnel Range tours are child-friendly but not for those below 5 years old as they are too long and strenuous.

Visitors to Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park must have a parking pass which is included in the overall price.

Some of them include Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, etc., where swimming is allowed. However, safety and road condition signs should be checked before entering any river.

While walking within West-Macdonald ranges is generally safe it is crucial that one follows arrowed paths; carries sufficient drinking water and tells someone their plans.

Online Booking

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