½ Day West MacDonnell Ranges Tour

Summary

"Entrance to Stanley Chasm"

Itinerary

Travel west from Alice Springs following the spectacular West MacDonnell Ranges. Pass the John Flynn Memorial. Stop at Simpsons Gap with its lovely red gum scenery. Continue on to magical Angkerle (Standley Chasm).

Walk into the chasm along the stony watercourse lined with cycads, ghost gums, acacias and cypress pines. A light lunch will be provided before you return to Alice Springs.

Simpsons Gap

A visit to Simpsons Gap National Park is a good introduction to the topography of the western MacDonnell Ranges. Deep gorges, carved by prehistoric watercourses through the sandstone of the ancient hills, with permanent waterholes and remains of earlier vegetation, form a striking contrast to the wide desert-like plains and dunes. To the Aranda tribes who live here the gorge is the home of their giant goanna ancestors.

West MacDonnell National Park

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. 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.

Further Information