West MacDonnell National Park

West MacDonnell National Park: Our most recommended tours and activities

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  1. From Alice Springs: West MacDonnell Ranges Day Trip

  Be picked up from your Alice Springs accommodation at 7:45 AM and set off on a day of adventure and exploration! Enjoy the spectacular outback scenery and photo opportunities as you travel along the magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges, stopping at historic sites. Enjoy beautiful walks at Simpsons Gap, a natural rock amphitheater that is home to endangered black-footed rock wallabies. Stop at Standley Chasm for morning tea and a leisurely stroll. At Ochre Pits, discover rock walls covered by natural coloured ochre, used for sacred ceremonies of the local Aboriginal people. Ormiston Gorge is up next: a great place for a swim, or to see the towering walls of the gorge and pound, local plants and wildlife. By now, you will have certainly worked up an appetite for lunch! Next stop is at Glen Helen. The landscape here is spectacular - a towering sandstone wall is the first thing you see as you...

  I had an enjoyable day and the tour guide was very informative with a lovely lunch supplied. The scenery was also spectacular and thoroughly recommended.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 20/07/2021
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  2. From Alice Springs: West MacDonnell Ranges Half Day Trip

  The panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges are extraordinary with their immensity and array of sunburnt oranges, maroons and purples. View spectacular outback scenery and take photos as you travel along through magnificent Outback Country, making stops at the many historic locations. Depart Alice Springs to explore The West Macs, stopping at the historical Flynn’s Grave Memorial, resting place of Reverend Flynn, founder of The Royal Flying Doctor Service. Next up, travel to Simpsons Gap, featuring towering cliffs and a permanent waterhole. The site is significant to the Arrernte people as the home of giant goanna ancestors. Take a walk to sport black-footed rock wallabies and take magnificent photos. Lastly, you will visit Standley Chasm. Traditionally known as Angkerle Atwatye, this is an important cultural place, sacred to womens’ dreaming in Aboriginal culture. Take a 0....

  Really felt it was value for the money ..the guide was a wealth of information...lovely country..

  Reviewed by Patricia, 03/07/2021
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  3. From Alice Springs: Palm Valley 4WD Outback Safari + Picnic

  Enjoy an exciting 1-day safari on a four-wheel drive from Alice Springs through the beautiful West MacDonnell Ranges to Hermannsburg, an Aboriginal community and historic precinct. Hermannsburg is renowned for its Aboriginal art collection, in particular the works of famous Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira. Enjoy a leisurely tea in Hermannsburg, and then set off on your 4WD for the second half of the adventure. Travel down the bed of the Finke River, one of oldest water courses in the world, into the stunning Palm Valley. Admire the spectacular rock formations, such as the one known as the Amphitheatre, and the lush palm trees of the oasis rising out of the white sand. Keep your eyes peeled for native plants such as the cycad and the Livistonia Mariae. Enjoy a picnic lunch within the beautiful Finke Gorge National Park, and on your return journey, relax and enjoy the changing colors...

  The overall trip was very pleasant. The driver was knowledgeable and courteous.The fact we were able to get off the bus and walk around on our own was really worth the trip. I enjoyed being able to walk on my own and take pictures as I pleased. The bus was very roomy and clean. I did get a little concerned when we were driving into Finke Gorge, seemed a bit of a bumpy ride but, we made it! Overall I would recommend this tour and would do it again.

  Reviewed by Mary, 01/07/2021
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  4. West MacDonnell Ranges Small Group Tour

  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 th...

  Most enjoyable day. Guide James very generous with his vast knowledge and made everything very easy.

  Reviewed by Monica, 04/08/2019
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  5. Alice Springs: Town Highlights and West MacDonnell Ranges

  Depart Alice Springs to explore The West Macs, stopping at the historical Flynn’s Grave Memorial, the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Next up, travel to Simpsons Gap, featuring towering cliffs and a permanent waterhole. The site is significant to the Arrernte people as being the home of giant goanna ancestors. Following that, take a walk to spot black-footed rock wallabies and take magnificent photos. You'll then visit Standley Chasm. Traditionally known as Angkerle Atwatye, this is an important cultural place which is sacred to women's dreaming in Aboriginal culture. Take a 1.2-kilometer walk to access the dramatic 80-meter-tall rock-face, and on the way there or back, note the unusual features of the natural landscape. The unique micro climate in this valley has created some distinctive features, such as ancient cycads and a myriad of rock types and pebbles that are thousa...

  The bus drive was fantastic if he did all the tours I went on I would be extremely happy thanks for a threat day

  Reviewed by lisa, 27/04/2021
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  6. Palm Valley Full-Day 4WD Adventure from Alice Springs

  Expose yourself to authentic Australian culture on a full-day tour to Palm Valley, departing from Alice Springs. Drive along the ochre colored roads of the West MacDonnells along the way. Follow the designated state route of Larapinta Drive, traveling into the Aboriginal homelands of the Arrernte people. Immerse yourself in true outback country as you head into the Finke Gorge National Park. Upon arrival, a 4WD coach will drive you along the dry bed of the Finke River, traveling to the strange, semi-tropical oasis of Palm Valley in the Red Center. Go for a bushwalk through groves of livistona palm trees, and enjoy the remoteness of the landscape. Next, stop off at the 19th-century Lutheran mission of Hermannsburg to learn more about the aboriginal history, art and culture of the region.

  The knowledge of our guide and the consideration to the various levels of fitness he showed were insightful and caring.

  Reviewed by Riding, 06/08/2018