McDonald Ranges, Ormiston Gorge & Hermannsburg

Summary

"This West MacDonnell Ranges adventure tour offers the very best of the Alice Springs region:- West MacDonnell Ranges, Palm Valley, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge, Owen Springs Reserve, the Oak Valley and the Hermannsburg Aboriginal Settlements."

Itinerary

Overview

Travelling in a 4WD vehicle with a genuine small group (max. 14 people), we explore highlights such as Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge, Owen Springs Reserve, the Oak Valley and Hermannsburg Aboriginal Settlements as well as 4-wheel driving into Palm Valley.

Day 1

You will be collected from your Alice Springs accommodation approximately 3.30pm before heading off to Oak Valley Aboriginal Community.

Cross the famous Hugh River Stock Route before arriving late afternoon. Here you can relax and enjoy the evening joined by one of our Aboriginal Hosts who will share a few tales around the campfire set in beautiful surroundings. Tonight you will experience the magic of sleeping out under the clearest southern stars imaginable in an Aussie Swag.

• Hugh River Stock Route
• Oak Valley Aboriginal Community

Meals: D

Day 2

Enjoy a morning tour of Oak Valley including rock paintings and carvings with your Aboriginal Host. From here we head along the Hugh River Stock Route on and into Owen Springs Reserve, 4 wheel driving along bush tracks through this old cattle station emerging at the West MacDonnell Ranges. The West MacDonnell Ranges stretch for over 200km in length enabling us to explore some stunning gorges, refreshing waterholes and walks through a landscape unique to this part of the world. The day will be packed with information, swimming, short walks and time out to enjoy your surrounds.

Be on the watch for Rock Wallabies and other fauna that use the retreat of the rugged ranges as a safe haven. At the day's end we set up our bush camp for a night under the stars situated on the Finke River. Here we will cook dinner over the campfire and share a few tales and an ale or two around the fire in true outback style.

• Owen Springs Reserve
• Ormiston Gorge
• Glen Helen

Meals: B, L, D

Day 3

Morning is at its best as the sun starts to rise followed with a hearty breakfast and a fresh pot of coffee. After breaking camp we head off around Namatjira Drive stopping at Tyler's Pass to view Gosse Bluff (comet crater) along the way.

Departing Hermannsburg we lock in the hubs and 4WD into Palm Valley. After lunch, hike through this picturesque valley discovering some of its hidden treasures before its back into the vehicle and home to Alice Springs where we'll have you back at your accommodation around 6pm.

• View Gosse Bluff Comet Crater
• Hermannsburg
• Finke River
• Palm Valley
• Alice Springs

Meals: B, L

Additonal Information

Optional Extras: Additional to fare; Standley Chasm, Hermannsburg precinct and Sleeping Bags.

Oak Valley Aboriginal Community: Situated on the Hugh River stock route 110km south of Alice Springs and 31km north of Titjitkala and Maryvale, Oak Valley is a locally owned and operated Aboriginal tour business and community. Run by the Le Rosignol family, this community boasts an olive and grape plantation, Aboriginal rock carvings and paintings and an ancient fossil field, all set in remote pristine desert country.

Aboriginal Life: You can experience locally made artifacts and paintings, get a demonstration into the art of boomerang and spear throwing or learn about local bush tucker and ancient mythological stories of their land. When available, we will cook a kangaroo the traditional way over a campfire - a most delicious experience!
Oak Valley operates its own school of the air which you are invited to experience and for those long hot summer days, you can cool off by taking a dip in the pool. The Aboriginal people of Oak Valley work and live on this land and have a profound understanding of it. You are invited to join this Desert Safari and share the unique Oak Valley experience with us.

Local payment: The local payment of $75 covers Park and Oak Valley Aboriginal tour guide fees, food and fuel levy surcharge.

Further Information

Ormiston George

Massive geological forces created the towering red walls of Ormiston Gorge and Pound, located within the West MacDonnell National Park, 135 kilometres west of Alice Springs., Within the gorge is a permanent waterhole, estimated to be at least 14 metres deep, which provides a refreshing finale to a day's exploring., The 7 kilometre long Ormiston Pound walk is a full circuit from the visitor centre across the rocky slopes, onto the flat floor of the pound and returns along the gorge via the main waterhole., Other walks in the area contain interesting collections of regional native flora, including a number of relic plant species remaining from a tropical past..