Thrill your senses on this small group tour from Alice Springs. Learn from a fun, passionate guide as you see iconic spots such as Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole, the Ochre Pits, Ormiston Gorge, Mt Sonder Lookout, & Glen Helen Gorge.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- COVID-19 precautions
- Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
- Small group
- Limited to 8 participants
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Duration 10 hours
- Starting time 7:30 AM
- Instant confirmation
- Live tour guide
- English
- Pickup included
- Your Alice Springs accommodation
Experience
Highlights
- Spot wildlife including Black-footed Rock Wallabies and remarkably diverse birdlife
- Visit a National Park that is soon expected to be World Heritage listed
- Explore the iconic sights: Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole, the Ochre Pits, Ormiston Gorge, Mt Sonder Lookout and Glen Helen
- Experience the personalization of a small group tour
- Enjoy a rich, European-style morning tea and coffee
- Travel by 4WD in style in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle
Full description
Depart your Alice Springs accommodation at approximately at 7.30 AM and visit the 'West Macs'- a stunning natural wonder. Learn about this prehistoric mountain range - broken by a series of gorges and chasms - from your guide on the drive. First stop is Simpsons Gap, which offers a short, easy walk to a waterhole (no swimming), rich in native wildlife. Follow the dry creek bed and massive River Red Gums to a dramatic gap in the range, featuring towering cliffs on either side. Keep your eyes out for the famous colony of adorable Black-footed Rock Wallabies!
Standley Chasm (Angkerle) is up next, a perfect place to stop for morning tea. This picturesque walk, suitable for all fitness levels, winds through a beautiful oasis, lush with an amazing array of native plants including cycads and ancient pines. The walk finishes with an astonishing view of the sheer quartzite walls rising more than 60m on each side of the narrow chasm. Then, see Ellery Creek Big Hole: the biggest and deepest waterhole in Central Australia. It offers superb swimming (summer months only) and scenery unlike anywhere else, and is only a few minutes’ walk from the car park.
Visit the Ochre Pits, where Aboriginal people have been mining ochre for thousands of years and still use ochre today for medicinal, ceremonial, and spiritual purposes. The vivid colours make for excellent photographs so bring your camera. You will also stop at Mt Sonder Lookout, which is a stunning 360 ⁰ vista overlooking one of the most picturesque sections of the Finke River: a favourite spot for photographers and landscape painters.
Stop for a gourmet picnic lunch, before visiting Ormiston Gorge’s spectacular scenery. A string of beautiful waterholes emerges from the immense gorge, carved by a once mighty river. The deep, permanent waterhole offers excellent swimming (summer months only) and a stunning lookout to see abundant wildlife. Finally, on your way back to Alice, make a brief stop at the famous John Flynn Memorial before drop off at your accommodation in Alice Springs at around 5:30 pm.
Includes
- Friendly, experienced and accredited guide
- Small Group guaranteed - no more than 8 passengers on board
- Modern air-conditioned 4WD vehicle (mini-van or car)
- Snacks, fruit and complimentary water throughout the day
- Accommodation pick-up and drop off
- Entry fee to Standley Chasm
- Gourmet picnic lunch
- Morning Tea
- Soft drinks, alcohol
Not suitable for
- People with mobility impairments
- Wheelchair users
COVID-19 precautions
Safety measures in place
- All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
Traveler requirements
- Customers must fill out a travel information form
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
Prepare for the activity
Important information
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes
- Comfortable clothes
Not allowed
- Luggage or large bags
Know before you go
- Please advise if you have any medical conditions, allergies or food allergies/requirements
- Please be ready at least 15 minutes before your pickup
- Please wear sturdy walking shoes
- Please bring sunscreen, hat and comfortable clothing, a camera and a jacket in cooler months
- You should bring swimwear and towel (during summer months only)
- Passengers pickup is in between 7:15 AM to 7:30 AM
