Larapinta Trail
The Larapinta Trail is an exciting long distance walking track through
the spectacular West MacDonnell National Park, in the heart of central
Australia.
The Trail runs over 223 kilometres along the backbone of the West
MacDonnell Ranges from Alice Springs west to Mt Sonder. It is divided
into twelve sections.
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Flynns Grave
Located 7 Kms from Alice Springs, this tiny Reserve is the resting
place for the ashes of the Reverend John Flynn, founder of the Flying
Doctor Service and the Australian Inland Mission. The grave is on a low
hill at the foot of the MacDonnell ranges with a sign detailing some of
his achievements.
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Simpsons Gap
Located 23 kms from Alice Springs in the West MacDonnell National Park,
the site incorporates a number of scenic gaps, including Simpsons Gap,
one of the most prominent gaps in the West MacDonnell Ranges. It is
renowned as a place with excellent opportunities to see Black-footed
Rock-wallabies along short walks into the Gap at dawn or dusk.
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Standley Chasm
Located 50 kms by sealed road from Alice Springs, Standley Chasm has
been gouged into tough sandstone by floods, over untold millions of
years. The result is a deep red cleft crowded on either side by craggy
slopes that rise 80 metres above the floor.
An inspiration regardless of either the weather or the time of day, the
chasm is at it's most dramatic an hour either side of noon on a sunny
day. Then the sheer walls glow from reflected sunlight to create a
breathtaking display of stark form and rich colour.
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Ellery Creek Big Hole Nature Park
93 kms from Alice Springs. High red cliffs, a large waterhole, and a
sandy creek fringed by River Red Gums make this Park one of the
region's most popular swimming and picnic areas.
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Ochre Pits
110 kms from Alice Springs. This site has been used for generations by
Aboriginal people as a mine for ochre. This mineral occurs in a range
of earthy colours and is the raw material for paintings and ceremonial
body decoration.
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Ormiston Gorge and Pound Nature Park
132 kms from Alice Springs. Ormiston Gorge is one of the many
spectacular features of the MacDonnell Ranges. In summer, its deep
waterhole is a welcome relief from the heat, and in cooler times the
walking tracks through scenic Ormiston Pound are popular with visitors.
There is a small general campground for tents, campervans, and caravans
and a larger campground for big groups and coach tours. Drinking water
supplies are unreliable, so bring plenty of water with you.
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Glen Helen Gorge Nature Park
133 kms from Alice Springs. Here the sandy bed of the mighty Finke
River squeezes between sandstone walls at the start of its journey to
the Simpson Desert. Most visitors take a 20 minute stroll down the
riverbed to the Gorge and many will enjoy a swim there. This
semi-permanent waterhole is important to the survival of the area's
small fish. Camping isn't allowed in the Park, but accommodation,
water, camping and picnic facilities are available at nearby Glen Helen
Lodge. Photo courtesy - Northern Territory Tourist Commission.
Accommodation & Tours
Glen Helen Outback Resort
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Redbank Nature Park
161 kms from Alice Springs. Deep icy waters block this narrow cleft in
the range. You can best enjoy the eerie stillness and pastel colours of
the flood smoothed rock walls floating through the gorge on an air
mattress. Ghost gums on steep slopes along the creek contrast with the
shrubland and spinifex around the carpark. The gorge is a 25 minute
walk from the carpark. Photo courtesy - Northern Territory Tourist
Commission.
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Tylers Pass & Tnorala (Gosse Bluff)
A place to stop for spectacular views of Tnorala / Gosse Bluff. 142
million years ago, a huge comet struck Central Australia (175 West of
Alice Springs) leaving one of the largest impact structures in the
world, measuring roughly 25 kilometres in diameter. The site is best
appreciated when viewed from the air, but a a good vista is still
afforded from Tyler's Pass. Much of the crater has been eroded away
with the original bed of the crater now two kilometres below the
surface. Photo courtesy - Northern Territory Tourist Commission.
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Hermannsburg
Located 124 km south-west of Alice Springs. The Hermannsburg Mission is
the most famous of all of the religious missions to Aborigines. It was
established in 1877 when two Lutheran missionaries from Germany made an
overland trek from Bethany in the Barossa Valley region of South
Australia bringing with them livestock and equipment to set up a
permanent mission. Hermannsburg is also the birthplace of famous artist
Albert Namatjira. where a faithfully restored 1870s Lutheran mission,
showcases Namatjira's and other local artists' work. Photo courtesy -
Northern Territory Tourist Commission.
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Finke Gorge National Park
138 km west of Alice Springs. Finke Gorge National Park covers an area
of 46,000 hectares including the impressive Palm Valley. Palm Valley is
home to a diverse range of plant species, many of which are rare and
unique to the area, including the Red Cabbage Palm. The Park and nearby
areas hold cultural significance to the Western Arrernte Aboriginal
people evidence of early European settlement of Central Australia. 4x4
access only.
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Wallace Rockhole
117 kms west of Alice Springs. Wallace Rockhole is a small Aranda
Aboriginal township located on the edge of the James Ranges and
includes a natural drinking waterhole in the foothills of the Ranges.
Rock ledges by the waterhole feature Aboriginal rock art belonging to a
graphic tradition widespread in Australia.
Accommodation and Tours
Wallace Rockhole Aboriginal Cultural Rock Art Tour and Accommodation
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Around The Alice 
The stunning scenery of the Western Macs (Western MacDonnell Ranges) is
Namatjira country. Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira was born in
Hermannsburg in 1902. Namatjira's watercolours were influenced by the
colours of the majestic Macs. Cool scenic gorges are important refuges
for a collection of plants and animals, many of which are found only
here and some are relicts of a bygone era of tropical forests. Features
of the landscape are significant in the stories of Western Arrernte
Aboriginal culture, and have existed for many thousands of years. This
is must see country!