Larapinta Trail

Located just 18 kilometers from Alice Springs, it features the towering cliffs of Simpsons Range, a permenant waterhole and oppertunities to spot resident wildlife. At dawn and dusk you might see Black-footed Rock-wallabies along the walking track into the gap. Vegetation typical of the MacDonnell Ranges is found in the area, including large stands of Mulga and over 40 rare and relict plants.

Known as Rungutjirpa to the Arrernte Aboriginal people, Simpsons Gap was the mythological home of a group of giant goanna ancestors. Several dreaming trails and stories cross at this important spiritual site. There are several short walks that pass the native plants including ancient Ghost Gums with views of the range.

Surrounded by the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park, it’s located in a private flora and fauna reserve owned by the Iwupataka Land Trust. Angkerle Atwatye “the Gap of Water” is a striking geological formation that has significant botanical, bird-watching & wildlife photography appeal. It’s an important cultural site for Arrernte women, and now provides a backdrop for authentic cross-cultural presentations, bush tucker tours, art workshops and language classes.

Available here is a Kiosk cafe with barista coffees, home baked scones, hot lunches, ice creams, plus free picnic tables, barbecues and toilets. The souvenir shop with hand painted Aboriginal crafts made on site, including boomerangs at workshop prices.

Ellery Creek Big Hole is one of the most popular and picturesque camping, walking, swimming and picnic spots in the West MacDonnell National Park. The spectacular waterhole is fed by the West MacDonnell Ranges and surrounded by tall red cliffs and the sandy Ellery Creek. Thousands of years of massive floods have carved this waterhole, which is recognised as an internationally significant geological site.

The Aboriginal name for Ellery Big Hole is Udepata. The permanent water made it a special meeting place for the Arrernte people on the fish and honey ant dreaming trails. Take the 3 kilometer Dolomite walk to see the surrounding formations.

Follow one of the manu well-marked paths along the gorge through the cool shade of the river red gums, or up to the lookout above the cliffs to survey views of the series of semi-permanent waterholes and the geology of the rugged MacDonnell Ranges. The site of the Carpet Snake Dreaming, some areas in the Gorge and western cliffs have special significance to the Western Arrernte custodians.

In dry times, the waterholes in the surrounding area dry up, leaving Serpentine Gorge waterhole the only remaining waterhole in a large area. Birds will move in from the surrounding countryside and can easily be observed by sitting quietly by the edge of the waterhole.

Located 135 kilometers west of Alice Springs, Ormiston Gorge ia a great place for a cool dip, to see the towering red walls of the gorge and pound and the local plants and wildlife. The gorge has a near-permanent waterhole that is ideal for swimming, especially in the warmer months. Explore the area via the Ormiston Pound Walk, a three to four hour circuit that leaves from the visitor centre to cross the rocky slopes and the flat floor of the pound, then back aling the gorge via the main waterhole.

The area contains an interesting variety of native flora and fauna, including a number of relict plant species from Central Australia's tropical past. The park is also an important fauna refuge, with the rediscovery of the Long-tailed Dunnart and the Central Rock Rat here in 1997.

Located 156 kilometers wesst of Alice Springs and nestled at the base of Mt. Sonder, Redbank Gorge is a popular stop for travellers following the Red Centre Way or the Larapinta Trail. Take the two kilometer, 1.5-hour return walk from the car park along the creek bed to the gorge to swim in the cold, deep water of the near-permanent waterhole. Basic camping facilities are available at two different locations: the Woodland and Ridgetop campgrounds. Both have toilets, fire pits and picnic tables. The Woodland Camping area also has free gas barbecues.