Exploring the East MacDonnell Ranges: A Half-Day Adventure Through Ancient Landscapes and Aboriginal Heritage

Explore the East MacDonnell Ranges: A Half-Day Tour of Central Australia's Natural Wonders. Discover the breathtaking beauty and rich cultural heritage of Central Australia with a half-day tour of the East MacDonnell Ranges. This incredible journey takes you through panoramic outback landscapes, historical sites, spiritual landmarks, and unique geological formations, providing a unique opportunity to experience the natural wonders and ancient stories that shape this extraordinary part of the world. From the rugged beauty of Trephina Gorge to the towering Giant Ghost Gum Tree, this tour offers an unforgettable exploration of one of Australia's most iconic regions. Tour attractions include hotel pick-up, Anzac Hill, Emily and Jessie Gaps, Corroboree Rock, Trephina Gorge Nature Park, and the Giant Ghost Gum Tree. At the end of the tour, we will drop you back at your hotel.

Tour Itinerary

Anzac Hill: A Panoramic View of Alice Springs Your adventure begins with a visit to Anzac Hill, an iconic landmark offering sweeping views of Alice Springs and the surrounding MacDonnell Ranges. You can photograph the town nestled within the vast desert landscape at this elevated point. Anzac Hill is a memorial to those who served in Australia’s armed forces across multiple conflicts, providing a stunning viewpoint and a moment of reflection on the country’s history.

Emily and Jessie Gaps Your next visit will be to Emily and Jessie Gaps. Yeperenye / Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park are the first noticeable features of the East MacDonnell Ranges as you drive 16 kilometres out of Alice Springs. The two small gaps in the Heavitree Range are important spiritual sites to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people. Many places in the surrounding landscape are associated with the same caterpillar Dreamtime story and form a 'Dreaming Trail'. Emily Gap is a significant sacred site where the caterpillar beings of Mparntwe (Alice Springs) originated. These caterpillars formed Emily Gap, and many of the topographic features around Alice Springs radiated out to the edge of the Simpson Desert. A large rock painting at Emily Gap and Jessee Gap depicts the caterpillar dreaming, adding a spiritual layer to the area's natural beauty.

Corroboree Rock Your next visit will be to Corroboree Rock. It’s one of many sites in the MacDonnell Ranges that are important to the Eastern Arrernte people. You will take a short walk with our guide around the rock base to survey the area and closely look at the ancient sedimentary, fine-grained rock. At the base, you can see dark grey and light grey streaky blobs of dolostone rock. A ring of low ground surrounds it, making it look like an obelisk.

This striking dolostone outcrop, formed from ancient sedimentary rock, is a silent witness to thousands of years of history. Though its exact purpose remains a mystery, it is thought to have been used for storing ceremonial objects rather than as a site for corroborees (traditional dances). A short walk around the base of the rock reveals its fascinating streaky texture and forms an important part of the region’s cultural landscape. The rock is an outcrop of dolomite from the Bitter Springs Formation, originally laid in salty lakes 800 million years ago.

Trephina Gorge Nature Park: The Rugged Heart of the Ranges Continuing east, you’ll arrive at Trephina Gorge Nature Park, a stunning location known for its rugged scenery and diverse wildlife. This 85-kilometre-long park is a prime example of the East MacDonnell Ranges' dramatic beauty. The park offers a range of short walks, perfect for exploring the rugged landscape, including the wide views of the sandy creek bed below.

Trephina Gorge is home to abundant wildlife, particularly birds and other animals drawn to the waterholes throughout the area. For nature lovers, this park is a great place to catch a glimpse of the unique flora and fauna of the Outback. It also carries deep significance to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people, as it lies within the Wallaby Dreaming Trail.

Giant Ghost Gum Tree: A Majestic Symbol of the Outback Before returning to Alice Springs, your final stop is the famous Giant Ghost Gum Tree, located within Trephina Gorge Nature Park. With its stark white bark, this ancient tree is more than 300 years old, making it the largest and oldest Ghost Gum tree in Central Australia. The tree stands as a majestic testament to the resilience of life in the harsh desert landscape. A visit to this extraordinary natural monument provides a sense of the vastness and timelessness of the Outback.

Tour Highlights and Conclusion Throughout the tour, you’ll be guided through an array of landscapes—from sacred Aboriginal sites to geological wonders—each telling a different part of the story of the East MacDonnell Ranges. Along the way, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take photos, learn about the area’s natural history, and immerse yourself in the culture and spirituality that have shaped this part of Australia for thousands of years.

After visiting the Giant Ghost Gum Tree, your tour will conclude with a return to your hotel in Alice Springs. You will leave with lasting memories of your journey through one of Australia’s most remarkable regions.

Inclusions: • Experienced and friendly guide • 11-seater Toyota Hiace bus provided • Complimentary water/ soft drinks provided • Complimentary accommodation pick-up and drop-off

What to Bring: • Sturdy walking shoes • Sunscreen, hat and comfortable clothing • Camera • Jacket in cooler months • Smile and happy faces

Not included: • Food and drinks other than those listed • No wheelchair accessible

Not Allowed: • Luggage or large bags, not allowed • Pets

Additional information: • Confirmation will be received at the time of booking • Not wheelchair accessible • Infants must sit on laps (No car seater provided) • Most travellers can participate • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travellers.