Explore
Day Trips From Alice Springs
Discover the West MacDonnell Ridge on a day-long tour from Alice Springs. An expert guide will show you popular spots like Simpsons Gap, Ormiston Gorge, Ochre Pits, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek, and Glen Helen. Capture the beauty of the Australian outback as you navigate through rugged canyons and uncover secluded waterholes and historic sites. Engage in swimming and hiking during your journey.
Highlights
- The West MacDonnell National Park, known as Tjoritja by the indigenous custodians, is worth exploring.
- Visitors can explore the 80m high gorge and marvel at Standley Chasm, also known as ‘Angkerle Atwatye’. Additionally, they can swim at Ellery Creek Big Hole, one of Central Australia’s most significant and stunning swimming spots.
- You can visit the UNESCO-listed Ochre Pit mineral rockface and observe the coloured ochre clay still used in traditional ceremonies.
- Visitors can experience relaxation and rejuvenation at Ormiston Gorge, known as ‘Kwartatuma’, surrounded by tall walls.
- Native wildlife, including the black-footed rock wallaby, can be seen in the Simpson Gap region, historically known as ‘Rungutjirpa’.
Full Itinerary
We depart from Alice Springs and head straight towards Standley Chasm, or ‘Angkerle Atwatye’. It is a 3-meter-wide, 80-meter-high gorge located within the West MacDonnell ranges. We explore the rugged natural beauty of this area and keep an eye out for native wildlife. Then, we move west towards Ellery Creek Bighole, or ‘Udepata’, where we can cool off and swim, surrounded by steep red cliffs and sandy banks. Our next stop is Ormiston Gorge, where we admire the incredible geological formations of towering red walls. Lastly, we visit Simpsons Gap, a stunning waterhole in the Tjoritja West MacDonnells region. Here, we can observe native wildlife, including the elusive black-footed rock wallaby. Simpsons Gap is also a sacred site where indigenous dreamtime trails and stories intersect. After a full day of exploring these iconic natural destinations, we slowly return and drop you off at your accommodation in Alice Springs for the evening, allowing you time to reflect on your adventures.
Meals: Lunch, Driving
Distance: 310 km
Walking Distance: Approximately 3km/4km.
Details
What's Included?
- Entry fees to Standley Chasm
- Morning tea & lunch
- Australian native wildlife sightings
- Guided bushwalking tours
- Accredited outback driver-guide
- Travel in air-conditioned mini-coach
- Comprehensive commentary on the tour
- Pickup/ drop-off from selected inner-city Alice Springs points
Aditional Information
What do you need to bring?
- Refillable water bottle (at least 2 Litres)
- Beach towels, swimwear & toiletries
- Clothing suitable for all weather (extreme conditions inc, wind, rain, heat, cold, day/night)
- Insect repellent (tropical strength)
- Sun protection – wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses & sunscreen
- Sturdy & comfortable shoes for hiking (tread closed toe)
- Small day pack 5-7kg
- Cash for extra snacks and meals
- Camera to capture the memories
Exclusions
- Any meals not previously indicated in the itinerary
- We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance
- Pre/post-tourhotel transfers
- Additional personal expenses
Pickup Time & Location
- 7:00 am – Alice Motor Inn – 25-27 Undoolya Rd East Alice Springs
- 7:00 am – Alice on Todd Apartments – 1 Strehlow St The Gap
- 7:00 am – Aurora Alice Springs Hotel – 11 Leichhardt Terrace Alice Springs
- 7:00 am – Best Western Elkira Court Motel – 65 Bath St Alice Springs
- 7:00 am – Crowne Plaza Lasseters – 93 Barrett Dr Alice Springs
- 7:00 am – Gday Mate Tourist Park – 23 Palm Circuit Ross Alice Springs
- 7:00 am – Haven Backpacker Resort – 3 Larapinta Dr Alice Springs
- 7:00 am – Mercure Alice Springs Resort -34 Stott Terrace Alice Springs
- 7:00 am – Quest Alice Springs – 10 South Terrace Alice Springs
- 7:00 am – Swagmans Rest Apartments The – 67 Gap Rd Alice Springs