 | Alice Springs Off the Beaten Path | Tips 1 - 10 of 10 |  |
Popular Off the Beaten Path | Other Off the Beaten Path Tips | All Tips (10) Simpsons Gap has been created by the Roe Creek which has eroded a big gap in the Rungutjirpa Ridge.
It is only about 25 km (W) from Alice Springs so it is a favourite picnic spot. There were no one there besides us even though it was a beautiful day.
We were told that there were many rock wallabies but we didn't see any. You probably have to be there early in the morning.
Strangely enough no one knows who Simpsons Gap is named after. To aborigines it is known as Rungutjirpa - the home of Giant Goanna ancestral beings.
There are 3 different walks here, a short one to the gap, a longer one with views of the Larapinta Valley, and a 17km one that takes you to Rocky Gap and Bond Gap Leave a Comment
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From Simpsons Gap it is another 30km to Standley Chasm (Angkerle). It is named after Ida Standley who was the first school teacher in Alice Springs (1914). She was the first not aboriginal woman who visited the chasm.
The narrow chasm has been created by an arm of the Finke River cutting through the sandstone. The walls of the chasm are up to 80m high and the chasm is very narrow. The widest place is 9m across.
The best place to come (which we unfortunately didn't) is around noon when the sun reaches the bottom of the chasm and the cliffs are lit up and glows red in the sun.
We saw lots of rock wallabies here! Leave a Comment
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In the West MacDonnel Ranges you find Ormiston Gorge. It is SO wonderful there. Unfortunately I didn't get to see that much. Only 1½ weeks before my cousin had the cast removed from the ankle she broke in NZ (yes, skydiving in Taupo is dangerous - but fun she assures me!) so she wasn't all that mobile. So when Scotty and Tina explored more of the gorge we stayed and enjoyed the silence. We had it all to ourselves. Except for a dingo who suddenly came running - didn't seem to take any notice of us... Leave a Comment
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These ochre pits are still used today by the local aboriginal people. It is only the yellow ochres that are of good quality the rest at this site is poor quality.
But it makes for good photos.
There's a picnic area here and a 3 hour (return) walk that leads to Inarlanga Pass. Leave a Comment
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Getting to Kings Canyon is relatively easy by following the Stuart Highway until the turn off for the Ernest Giles Road. This then joins upto Luritja Road, which takes you right to the canyon. This route takes approx 4 - 5 hrs from Alice.
The other alternative is to take the Mereenie Loop through the Western MacDonnell Ranges from Alice, however you will need a permit to use this road, which can be obtained the Lands Council in Alice Springs.
Accommodation can be found at Kings Canyon you can either stay at the Kings Canyon Resort or Kings Creek Station. Kings Canyon Resort has a wide variety of styles of accommodation as well as a variety of restaurants and cafes..
Kings Creek Station offers cabins and camping ground, with the added advantage of having a shop for essentials.
A 4WD drive is recommended if travelling through the Mereenie Loop.
Aboriginal Land Permits - 33 North Stuart Highway. Open Mon-Fri 8am-12pm / 2-4pm
Mereenie Loop Permits - Can be purchased at the Information Centre in town.
or at Hermannsburg Petrol Station/ Glen Helen Resort or Kings Canyon Resort
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Uluru is stunning, spectacular and imposing. It is an experience, which touches the magnificence essence of the Australian outback. Walk along the Kuniya track and visited the waterhole, home of Wanampi, an ancestral water snake and view the fabulous rock art.
Continue driving around Uluru and park the car,strolling along some or all of the Liru Track and observed the sheer spectacular scenery which captures the sheer beauty of the Australian Outback.
After viewing Uluru head off and drive to the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) approx 50kms west of Uluru.The main attraction is to walk to Walpa Gorge, it’s a delightful and breathtaking walk with the sapphire blue sky backdrop and the scarlet ochre Olga’s makes a prominent and striking picture. The walk takes approx one hour, so one has plenty of time to head back to Uluru to watch the sunset. An absolutely remarkable sight and with a few glasses of vino it can become even more magical and spiritual.
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About one hour drive from Alice's centre, at the end of an easy sand track, Rainbow Valley is a huge block of sandstone carved by water, wind and time thus developing weird shapes and wonderful colours: red, green, ochre, brown, orange are mixed over the rock and the view is magnificent especially at sunset and sunrise, when the changing light irradiates constantly new reflections. Leave a Comment
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From the top of Aanzac hill you can see a full 360 degrees and its a stunning view. You can see city and 'outback' in one panaramic view. Leave a Comment
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Getting off the Beaten Track in the Ayers Rock region seems a bit tricky to me, when there's just the main highway and not many roads.
Sometimes 4WD vehicles in convoy do it as a Club trip away across country. I knew somebody who did this in NT. You need a proper, strong 4WD to do it, as you may have to contend with sand hills and other difficult terrain and you'll need to carry a lot of extra supplies, food, fuel, winch, and often CB radio with you. Leave a Comment
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This is definitely something you don't hear about too often in the Centre. Most people, when they head out of Alice Springs, understandably head for the famous landmarks of Uluru or King's Canyon.
However, if you want something a little different, head to Gemtree, which is 140 Kilometers north of Alice. There, you get to see what it's like to dig for gems in an authentic environment. You can't just go off on your own, though -- they conduct daily tag-a-long tours to the local gemfields. They will provide everything you need in terms of equipment and guides to help find the gems.
There is also a gemcutting service on site, so you can watch how they prepare them or you can hire someone to do it for you. There's also a huge amount of jewellery to buy, or they will mount the gems you find in settings which you pick out.
There is a 100 hectare caravan park with campfires and other amenities like showers.
You must book ahead!!! Tours and campsites fill up - don't make the trip for nothing! Leave a Comment
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