8 Budget-friendly Things to do in West MacDonnell National Park That You Shouldn't Miss

June 22, 2021 Toi Mattera

Discover the best top things to do in West MacDonnell National Park, Australia including Ormiston Gorge, MacDonnell Ranges, Ochre Pits, Redbank Gorge, Standley Chasm Angkerle, Mount Conner, Serpentine Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge.

1. Ormiston Gorge

Namatjira Drive, West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory Australia +61 8 8956 7799 http://northernterritory.com/alice-springs-and-surrounds/see-and-do/ormiston-gorge
Excellent
78%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
1%
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0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 481 reviews

Ormiston Gorge

Ormiston Gorge is a great place for a cool dip in the natural pool surrounded by towering red cliffs of the gorge. Located within the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park the surrounding area offers an Ormiston Pound Walk, which is a 3-4 hour circuit where you can spot native flora and fauna.

Reviewed By sandrah691

Beautiful spot for a quick swim and spend a lazy few hours admiring the scenery for the bottom of the cliffs to the top of the cliffs

2. MacDonnell Ranges

West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory Australia
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 421 reviews

MacDonnell Ranges

Reviewed By zip048

Recently I accompanied by my wife and two friends were fortunate enough to do this tour with Emu run tours, this was a small group tour and our tour guide was Kirsty. Kirsty made this tour fantastic, great and enjoyable for all members of this tour, with her great people skills, bubbly happy out going personality, combined with her professionalism and vast knowledge and experience, she gave as all a fantastic adventure and many great experiences which the whole tour group enjoyed immensely. If you want a great tour, use this tour company and Kirsty as your tour guide JOE Cardiff NSW

3. Ochre Pits

West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory Australia +61 8 8951 8250 http://www.nt.gov.au/westmacs/places/ochre-pits
Excellent
47%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
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4.5 based on 43 reviews

Ochre Pits

Reviewed By JanineP40 - Red Deer, Canada

After seeing several gorges and waterholes, the Ochre Pits were a nice change! A quick drive off the highway and a short walk in and you can be snapping some beautiful photos. Path is partially set, but you must walk on rocks/sand to get to the Pit. Toilets at this stop.

4. Redbank Gorge

Namatjira Drive, West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory Australia http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/parks/find/westmacdonnell#scenic
Excellent
58%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
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4.5 based on 33 reviews

Redbank Gorge

Reviewed By Damdogue - Masterton, New Zealand

A fantastic spot to camp overnight and go to the gorge in the morning. One of our favourites spots in the area. There was no one else there which made it quite special.

5. Standley Chasm Angkerle

Larapinta Drive, West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory 0872 Australia +61 8 8956 7440 [email protected] https://www.standleychasm.com.au/
Excellent
43%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
5%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 472 reviews

Standley Chasm Angkerle

- the jewel of the Arrernte/Central desert region,50kms west of Alice Springs off Larapinta drive, surrounded by MacDonnell Ranges National Park, access via natural riverbed trail (1.2km/20min walk), natural growth rare cycads Macromesia Macdonelliae, protected by statute. Spectacular 80m sheer face rock passage, optimum viewing time in Noon, direct sunlight.

Reviewed By 216kevinl - Alice Springs, Australia

While visiting Alice Springs, head out Larapinta towards Hermannsburg and discover some of the amazing sites the Red Centre has to offer; Simpsons Gap, Honeymoon Gap, and Standley Chasm Angkerle will all make an amazing day-out! The restaurant offers good fare, reasonably priced.

6. Mount Conner

Lasseter Highway Curtin Springs, West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory 7140 Australia +61 8 8956 2906 [email protected] http://www.curtinsprings.com
Excellent
29%
Good
56%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
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4.0 based on 41 reviews

Mount Conner

Mt Conner is located on the private property of Curtin Springs Station. Structured 4wd and a guided walks program give visitors an opportunity to get up close to Mt Conner. Please enquire at Curtin Springs Wayside Inn for more details. Mt Conner was discovered by William Goss in 1873 and named after M L Conner, a member of the SA Government who financed the expedition. The mountain stands 344 metres above the surrounding plains. It is 32km around the base (which makes it 3 times bigger than Ayers Rock). Along with Ayers Rock and the Olgas, the 3 mountains form the 3 TORS (large bare rocky hills). Each one is a different geological formation. Mt Conner is made up mainly of carmichael sandstone and has it’s own distinct eco-environment that makes it very different to the others. There are no water holes or areas where water was caught after rain, so it has very little indigenous relevance. Aboriginal people could not visit there without access to water.

Reviewed By WilliamB826 - Perth, Australia

When driving along the Lasseter Highway to check out Uluru, it is easy to mistake Mount Connor for it's big brother Uluru. All of a sudden this beautiful rock formation appears on the horizon, and many have made the mistake thinking it is ''The Rock''. There is a great lookout that you can climb and take in the great view just before arriving at the ''real thing''. Mt Connor is a beautiful sight in it's own right and it too changes all the colours of the Red Centre at various times of the day. I think the stop off point is called ''Mount Connor Lookout'' a stop you should not miss for that great photo of an outback icon.

7. Serpentine Gorge

West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory Australia +61 8 8951 8250 http://www.nt.gov.au/westmacs/places/serpentine-gorge
Excellent
32%
Good
56%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
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4.0 based on 25 reviews

Serpentine Gorge

Reviewed By JanineP40 - Red Deer, Canada

If you have been visiting all the other gorges along the highway, this one is pretty much the same as the others.. The difference here is the lookout which is similar to the Kings Canyon. It’s about 3 km off the highway on an unsealed road There are over 200 rock steps to get to the lookout so good fitness and footwear is a must, but the reward awaits at the top! Fenced and I fenced lookout spots.

8. Glen Helen Gorge

West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory Australia +61 8 8956 7489
Excellent
42%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
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1%
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4.0 based on 81 reviews

Glen Helen Gorge

Reviewed By Emanpee - Sydney, Australia

With the gorge and water only a short walk from parking at Glen Helen Homestead, shop and bar, this is one of the best set up places to visit along the Larapinta trail and West MacDonnell ranges. Picnicking would be roughing it here with full service bar and food offering at the homestead, which also offers accommodation. But this is not why you visit? Take the easy 400m level and sandy path walk to the gorge, river and swimming hole. Cliffs, water, trees and birdlife are all there to be taken in. One of the most picturesque of all. Thoroughly enjoyed the serenity of the area plus the facilities available.

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