They are quite impressive to any onlookers, both visitors and locals. Standley Chasm is unique in the West MacDonnell Ranges in that unlike all the other gorges in the park, this one has it’s own fee to visit. Serpentine Chalet and 2-Mile (4WD only) provide camping sites with no facilities. Indigenous Australians have been using the ochre here for thousands of years for many different purposes including painting, ceremony and medicinal uses. There are a range of camping sites throughout the West MacDonnell National Park. The MacDonnell Mountain Ranges (East and West) stand as mighty sentinels overlooking the town of Alice Springs.. The Centralian Flannel Flower and the MacDonnell Range Cycad are rare species found here. The range contains many spectacular gaps and gorges and many of the areas are of strong significance to Aboriginals. This little visited area has at least as much to offer as the West MacDonnells. Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park is a majestic landscape featuring ancient mountain ranges, gorges and chasms, permanent waterholes, unique plants and animals and incredible mountain scapes. The West MacDonnell National Park runs for 161kms west of Alice Springs. BY Celeste Mitchell. Camping is also available here and operates on a first-in-first-served basis. Book your tickets online for MacDonnell Ranges, West MacDonnell National Park: See 421 reviews, articles, and 256 photos of MacDonnell Ranges, ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 8 attractions in West MacDonnell National Park. Camping Areas at West MacDonnell National Park (4 campsites) Ormiston Gorge Camping Area - A popular campground with the MacDonnell Ranges as a back drop, within the West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory. Known as Tjoritja by the Traditional Owners, the continuation of cultural practices and a connection to the land is highly significant for local Aranda Aboriginal culture. and bins generally available. The European name is associated with Sir Richard MacDonnell (who was the Governor of South Australia) … They are quite impressive to any onlookers, both visitors and locals. Renee and Nathan are part of our Outdorian program, a community of travelling contributors who share stories, images, videos and first-hand experiences from their adventures around Australia. Tjoritja / West MacDonnell Ranges is a popular National Park just west of Alice Springs, stretching for more than 160kms, featuring a series of spectacular chasms and gorges. If you’re carrying on towards Kings Canyon via the Mereenie Loop then definitely consider filling up here – fuel was 30 cents a litre cheaper than at Kings Canyon. There is plenty of space to spread out, relax and have a picnic, and swimming is allowed. Alice Springs & Surrounds Tjoritja West MacDonnell National Park stretches for 161 kilometres west of Alice Springs. N'Dhala Gorge. This camping area has over 3km of riverside camping area to choose from, and although the river was very low when we visited, there was still enough water for a bit of a swim. The West MacDonnell Ranges are part of the MacDonnell Ranges located in the Northern Territory, and stretch 644 km (400 miles) running east and west of Alice Springs. This beautiful gorge has two short hikes you can take to explore the area more fully – there is a 1.3km waterhole walk that takes you down the bottom of the gorge, or a 1.1km relatively steep lookout walk which rewards you with fantastic views of the gorge once you reach the top. As such, many people choose to explore them as a day trip from Alice Springs – and if you aren’t camping then this is probably your best option. The West MacDonnell Ranges are well worth a visit on their own. Camping offers the kind of freedom that’s hard to top. Latest Post: Taking a Clean Break - Tips for Showering When Cam 1300 914 007 Find Us. The MacDonnell Mountain Ranges (East and West) stand as mighty sentinels overlooking the town of Alice Springs.. Book today. Travel App. The East MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs are still a bit of a secret tip. — . Camping. The road is sealed, and the majority of the park is easily accessible for all types of vehicles. It is one of the most scenic drives in Central Australia with plenty to see along the way. From the luxurious Deluxe Villas to the Budget Cabins plus sites for caravans and tents, BIG4 MacDonnell Range Holiday Park is the perfect place to experience Alice Springs. It’s only a short walk from the car park to the gap, and if you’re quiet and observant, you may be lucky enough to spot some rock wallabies. I moved on to a wonderful campground at Ellery Creek – Big Hole. Park camping fees vary with the category associated with each area and the level of maintenance … Ankunftsdatum — . These places are often overlooked by visitors in favour of other nearby destinations. This one can get very popular in peak season, so get in early if you want to grab a spot! You can access it via a short easy walk from the car park, or if you’re feeling adventurous you can do the roughly 9km Pound Walk that takes in the surrounding area, follows along down the gorge, and ends at the swimming hole where you can have a much deserved swim to cool off. TJORITJA (West MacDonnell Ranges): A convergence of camping traditions Story by Matt Sykes. This vast and spectacular section of the MacDonnell Ranges, located west of Alice Springs, is an outstanding example of an ancient landscape sculptured over time by climatic elements. West MacDonnell Ranges NT Ormiston Gorge is a great place for a cool dip, to see the towering red walls of the gorge and pound, and local plants and wildlife. 4) Renting a Car in The Outback. Alice Springs, Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park, Ormiston Gorge Age Range 16 to 80 year olds Regions Australia Northern Territory, Central Australia, Australian Outback, Red Centre, Larapinta Trail +4 more Travel Style Adventure, Camping, Desert Hikes, Group, Fully … Standley Chasm, 50 km west of Alice Springs, is the only privately owned gorge in the West MacDonnell Ranges, and that means there is an entry fee to cover the maintenance of the facilities.. But also expect large parts to have no coverage at all. But there is camping for campervans at Ormiston Gorge with full facilities where you can enjoy the amazing night skies and the vibrant colors of the ochre cliffs and desert landscape when they are at their best - dusk and dawn. We spent a few days and … After days admiring the formations of Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon, spend evenings camping under the stars, getting a … But fortunately the NT has no national park entry fees, and their camping fees are extremely reasonable, so it’s a good budget friendly place to visit. 2-Mile Campground features a great camping site along Finke River. Overnight visitors to Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park are required to bring their own water supplies. Reiseleitung +2 mehr But if like most visitors to the Red Centre you are also planning on visiting Kings Canyon and Uluru, then the West Macs are really just the start of the journey. Ormiston Gorge Camping Area - A popular campground with the MacDonnell Ranges as a back drop, within the West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory. After days admiring the formations of Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon, spend evenings camping under the stars, getting a … The NT is fantastic in that their roadside free camps are generally clearly marked with signs stating 24 hour overnight stays are allowed. The MacDonnell Ranges, or Tjoritja in Arrernte, is a mountain range and an interim Australian bioregion located in southern Northern Territory and has an area of 3,929,444 hectares (9,709,870 acres). You can camp at Ormiston Gorge, and the campsite here is one of the few in the area with a hot shower, plus toilets and costs $10 per adult per night. The East MacDonnell Ranges can be found for 150km just east of Alice Springs. And some of them have beautiful views. Before heading off on the iconic Larapinta Trail through Central Australia’s West MacDonnell Ranges, we pivot 180 degrees to venture where mostly only locals roam. This little visited area has at least as much to offer as the West MacDonnells. Schwimmen Sie in Felslöchern, unternehmen Sie geführte Wanderungen und sehen Sie die Monolithen bei Sonnenaufgang und Sonnenuntergang. Serpentine Gorge and Serpentine Chalet are two of the lesser known places in the West MacDonnell Ranges . Bins are few and far between, so be prepared to take your rubbish out with you. Read on for what you need to explore in this region. Glen Helen Lodge. We spent 3 nights here using it as a base to explore the ranges, and it’s one of our all time favourite free camps. At lunch time, when the sun is right above it, the steep walls light up in orange and the bottom of the chasm fills up with tourists. West MacDonnell Ranges Day Trips: West MacDonnell Day Trip from Alice Springs | Half Day MacDonnell Ranges Private Tour. We have reviews of the best places to see in West MacDonnell National Park. The only fuel option within the ranges itself is at Glen Helen Homestead. The West MacDonnell Ranges area is an ideal place to camp. Walk through Ormiston Gorge, Ellery Creek, Simpsons Gap and Rainbow Valley. Es erstreckt sich entlang der MacDonnell Ranges.Neben dem Larapinta Trail verfügt der Nationalpark über viele Sehenswürdigkeiten.. Über eine komplette Länge von 250 Kilometer auf 2069 km² zieht sich das Gebiet des Parks. To help you decide which ones to visit, let’s cover the most popular ones starting at Alice Springs and working our way west. Get the latest information (here), Five unforgettable experiences to have in Katherine, Litchfield National Park: adventure on Darwin’s doorstep, Hiking Resolutions: 8 fantastic day walks in NSW, Your guide to finding the best campsites in Australia, 10 of the best waterfalls to visit in New Zealand, 10 awe-inspiring views to kickstart your wanderlust, Outback Serenity – remote camping ideas for the year ahead. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in West MacDonnell National Park, Australia on Tripadvisor: See 1,589 traveler reviews and photos of West MacDonnell National Park tourist attractions. Spend two days exploring the sites of the MacDonnell Ranges, both East and West. This spectacular region incroporates the MacDonnell Ranges and contains some of the most dramatic and nature shaped landscapes in Australia. Carpet Snake Dreaming and Eaglehawk Dreaming travel through the area. After days admiring the formations of Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon, spend evenings camping under the stars, getting a … Best to take your water in with you. Yet this gorge was actually one of our favourites in the ranges. But that is a story for another day. Their location and formation is also closely tied in with the formation and development of Alice Springs in this isolated far-away area of central Australia. 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