Why we Love a 1 Day West MacDonnell Ranges Tour

A small group is always appealing, throw in a 4×4 safari truck and awesome guide then you’ve got a great tour.

Hike into the majestic Ormiston Gorge, relaxing at the stunning Ormiston Waterhole. Visit the world heritage listed Ochre Pits, a registered sacred site and take an afternoon swim at the spectacular Ellery Creek Big Hole. Enjoy a BBQ lunch with your fellow travellers and relax in this truly amazing part of ‘The Territory’..

Your tour will include the following highlights;

• Enjoy a relaxed West MacDonnell Ranges Tour
• Hike, swim and explore Ormiston Gorge and the Ghost Gum Walk
• Experience the Ochre Pits still utilised to this day by Traditional Owners
• Marvel at Ellery Creek Big Hole

Inclusions

• Professional guide
• Air-conditioned 4WD vehicle
• BBQ Lunch
• Drinking water (please provide your own bottle)

Itinerary

Departing from Alice Springs at approximately 6.00 am, our adventure begins as we travel towards the mighty West MacDonnell Ranges.

Our first stop is Ormiston Gorge, keep your eyes peeled for Perentie Lizards lazing along the banks and take a swim in the rock holes. Hike the “Ghost Gum Walk”, a 1.5 hour loop that takes in views down through the majestic Ormiston Gorge, before following the trail as it descends down close to the gorge and along the rocky floor and Ormiston Waterhole.

Enjoy a BBQ lunch at Ormiston Gorge.

Afterwards, we journey on to the Ochre Pits, a registered sacred site offering a unique experience to view the Ochre deposit still used to this day by the Traditional owners. See the natural ochres that have provided materials for Indigenous people for thousands of years.

Travelling on to Ellery Creek Big Hole, one of the most picturesque swimming and walking spots in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Surrounded by high red cliffs and the sandy Ellery Creek, the waterhole has been carved out by thousands of years of massive floods and is an internationally significant geological site. The permanent water here made it a special meeting place for the local Arrernte people and is known to them as Udepata.

Late in the afternoon we travel back to Alice Springs, arriving at approximately 5.30pm.

Departs/Returns:

• Departs: Alice Springs Daily from 6:00am
• Returns: Alice Springs approx. 5:30pm

What to Bring

• Wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent
• Sustainable Water bottle/container (at least 1.5 litres)
• Walking shoes/boots
• Camera

Eco-Certification Awards

The following Eco-Accreditation from Eco Tourism Australia had been achieved.

• Eco Certified Advanced Ecotourism

Australia’s leading and most innovative ecotourism products, providing an opportunity to learn about the environment with an operator who is committed to achieving best practice when using resources wisely, contributing to the conservation of the environment and helping local communities.

• Climate Action Business

Businesses have undertaken a set of adaption and emissions reduction actions but are not necessarily measuring their carbon footprint.

• Respect Our Culture (ROC)

The Respecting Our Culture (ROC) program encourages the tourism industry to operate in ways that respect and reinforce Indigenous cultural heritage and the living cultures of Indigenous communities.

ROC certified tourism operators are committed to protecting cultural authenticity and integrity, developing sound business practices, environmental protection and acknowledging Indigenous peoples spiritual connection to the land and water.