West MacDonnell Ranges Day Trip from Alice Springs
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Alice Springs, Australia
- 10 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Explore the highlights of the West MacDonnell Ranges on a guided tour from Alice Springs—without the hassle of driving or planning. In just one day, check off multiple sites, including Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ormiston Gorge, Ochre Pits, Ellery Creek Big Hole, and Glen Helen. Enjoy short walks into dramatic gorges, discover hidden waterholes, capture classic Outback photos, and swim at select spots (conditions permitting).
- Learn about local Aboriginal culture and history from your guide
- Check off multiple highlights in just one day thanks to a comprehensive itinerary
- Hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off ensures a seamless trip
- Beat the Outback heat onboard a private, air-conditioned vehicle
What's Included
- Morning Tea
- Bushman's Lunch
- Accommodation pick-up and drop-off
- Experienced, friendly tour guide
- Air-conditioned transport
- Entry fee to Standley Chasm
- Gratuities
- Effective to all travel on 1st of April 2025, NT Park Pass is no longer included.
- Please pre-purchase the NT Park Pass & bring it with you on the day of the tour
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Please call to confirm pickup time prior to tour date. Kindly allow 15 mins for the bus to arrive.
Operating hours.7:45 am
Itinerary
Start early with pickup at your Alice Springs hotel and set off in an air-conditioned vehicle for West MacDonnell National Park.
Start with a walk at Simpsons Gap to see a natural rock amphitheater that is home to endangered black-footed rock wallabies. Next, head to Standley Chasm for morning tea and a stroll along trails lined with acacias, cycads, ghost gums, and cypress pines. Continue to Ochre Pits, where rock walls are covered by white, yellow, and red ochre, used for sacred ceremonies of the local Arrernte people.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at Ormiston Gorge, a large waterhole surrounded by red rock and visited by waterbirds such as the Pacific and white-faced herons. After eating, drive to a lookout for views of a towering sandstone wall and Mt. Sonder, one of the highest points in Central Australia.
Next, visit Ellery Creek Big Hole, one of central Australia's most pristine waterholes. Cool off with a swim and hear from your guide about the significance of the geology. Then, wind down your tour as sunset rises over the MacDonnell Ranges.
Start with a walk at Simpsons Gap to see a natural rock amphitheater that is home to endangered black-footed rock wallabies. Next, head to Standley Chasm for morning tea and a stroll along trails lined with acacias, cycads, ghost gums, and cypress pines. Continue to Ochre Pits, where rock walls are covered by white, yellow, and red ochre, used for sacred ceremonies of the local Arrernte people.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at Ormiston Gorge, a large waterhole surrounded by red rock and visited by waterbirds such as the Pacific and white-faced herons. After eating, drive to a lookout for views of a towering sandstone wall and Mt. Sonder, one of the highest points in Central Australia.
Next, visit Ellery Creek Big Hole, one of central Australia's most pristine waterholes. Cool off with a swim and hear from your guide about the significance of the geology. Then, wind down your tour as sunset rises over the MacDonnell Ranges.
MacDonnell Ranges (Pass By)
1
Simpsons Gap
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Standley Chasm Angkerle
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
3
Ochre Pits
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Ormiston Gorge
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Ellery Creek Big Hole
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
Emu Run Experience - Uluru Tours From Alice Springs & Ayers Rock (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Please wear strong, non-slip walking shoes
- Please bring hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle and swimwear during the summer months
- Please bring NT Parks Pass (digital copy accepted)
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Diana_R
Beautiful day experiencing one of the marvels of Alice Springs region. Matt, our guide, was informative on the region, told great stories, and was a great driver as he drove us to all spots on itinerary and then added a few additional stops for more scenic pictures. It was a great tour!
Reviews
4.7
based on 366 reviews
Janette_D, Mar 2026
We saw some great scenery. Even though our tour was modified because of road closures, they made up for it by taking us to other extremely interesting places in Alice Springs.
Clive_G, Dec 2025
A great day out, due to an unexpected park closure, we had a lot more options of where to visit. It helped that there were only three of us, and had met the day before on another tour with the same company. Our guide Kylie accommodated all the visit requests, made other suggestions and generally ensured we had a great day.
Note to the parks department, short notice cancellation of access for a staff party is not an acceptable practice.
Kellie_L, Oct 2025
Loved what we saw just a shame that the guide was new and still learning. The guide was the only let down. The sights were beautiful
Diana_R, Sept 2025
Beautiful day experiencing one of the marvels of Alice Springs region. Matt, our guide, was informative on the region, told great stories, and was a great driver as he drove us to all spots on itinerary and then added a few additional stops for more scenic pictures. It was a great tour!
Larry_W, Sept 2025
A wonderful experience but make sure you have a bug head net! Our driver, Kylie, was very knowledgeable and pleasant.
ORYITZHAK_N, Sept 2025
Beautiful place and a very nice tour guide. Great and relaxed. excellent to see the most important places near Alice Springs.
Christopher_K, Sept 2025
Great overview of the Western Macdonnell Ranges. Enough time to explore and take pictures (and a swim).
When you have a day to spend in Alice Springs (which does not offer much in itself) - do it, unless you want to do a one-day trip to Uluru instead (or both)...
ALLEN_G, Jul 2025
The scenery is stunning and a must place to visit. Simpsons gap was beautiful especially early in the morning. Our tour guide Kylie was brilliant. She was very friendly and had a fantastic knowledge of the area that made our day extra special.
Julia_C, Mar 2025
Absolutely beautiful landscapes and a must see in the outback! Simpsons Gap was incredible. Lots of flies though, so bring a net!
Alan_R, Oct 2024
A great day trip to experience the West Mc range.
Bus wasnt crowded and a lot of information from Anne snd John.
Julie_W, Aug 2024
What a wonderful guide Ana was. Great knowledge and just happy to be around. Packed it a lot but had a wonderful day doing it. Morning tea and lunch were great. Each place had great services and they were very well cared for. Strongly recommend this tour. The landscape is outstanding.
Sara_T, Jul 2024
The breathtaking beauty of the gorges and surrounding landscapes, and the highly knowledgeable commentary by guide and driver, Scott.
Brenda_H, Jun 2024
It was a bit of a long trip up to the oversight of the gorge but worth it!! Our guide Ann was an amazing guide!!!
philip_h, May 2024
Only negative was the guide spoke of past events as if they were proven facts instead of debatable theories. His world view is very different to a lot of thinking people. Apart from that it was excellent
Sara_G, Apr 2024
It was a lovely day from start to finish and Scottie was a wonderful guy -- very relaxed and flexible. The highlight for us was swimming in Ellery Creek Big Hole towards the end of the day. We were lucky to have a great group of people on this tour and we all got along very well. Loved Stanley Chasm.
The only thing that could be improved is the food. Our morning tea was very blah, with only instant coffee and bland biscuits. And our lunch wraps were okay, but nothing to write home about.
Bruce_W, Mar 2024
An amazing experience, and a wonderful way to experience central Australia. Our driver Bluey was very knowledgeable and provided an interesting background to each place we visited and the area as a whole. Highly recommended.
Remo_E, Mar 2024
To go swimming in the desert was beautiful as well as the experience of nature. It was a nice mix between driving and enjoying pure nature
Victoria_K, Mar 2024
It was a well-organized, well-paced tour with multiple stops. Magnificent scenery. We saw wallabies and interesting flora. Our guide Miguel provided historical information on the area, and was knowledgeable and friendly.
Roy_K, Feb 2024
Water holes mountain ranges plant life was great, went all stops walk trails see birds different vegetation. Bud driver did kool job had a blast.
Kelly_S, Jan 2024
Dave was an amazing tour guide. The tour was great, and he also gave good suggestions for things to do in Alice Springs.
James_K, Nov 2023
We loved it all! Ellery Creek was great for a swim and our tour guide Miguel who we had also at Uluru was fantastic with his knowledge and stories. Excellent trip. Thanks again Miguel for a great experience 👍 Rosanna
Alina_R, Sept 2023
Lovely tour from start to finish! Picked up at scheduled time and the adventure immediately begun! Miguel was a fabulous tour guide. Very knowledgeable, answered questions, and never felt rushed. Would definitely do a tour with this company again especially if Miguel is my guide!
Beverley_R, Sept 2023
Experiencing the awesome ruggedness and beauty of this Outback area of Australia
Very knowledgeable guide
Fun picnic lunch which was so appropriate for the tour
Joanne_H, Jul 2023
I really enjoyed the beautiful colours of the landscape against the blue skies. Lovely morning tea and lunch
Fernanda_V, Jun 2023
we saw fascinating magic places. Not too rushed
The only thing I would complain about is the coach John, he talked too much about everything and anything. Too loud and was rude when some of the passengers would talk. He was asked to turn the volume down and he wasnt happy. Some of us wanted a bit of time out on the way back to enjoy the scinery.
WaiLan_T, Jun 2023
The spectacular scenery of the mountains ranges in natural iron oxide colour which is so attractive and eye catching.
Suzanne_B, May 2023
My sister and I had a great time on this tour. Connie, our driver/guide was terrific. She provided information about where we were going and what we would see in a friendly manner. She always made sure everyone was having a good time. All the walks were easy going (especially for someone who has knee problems). The lunch was enough to fill us up and she was always encouraging us to drink water to stop becoming dehydrated. A very caring lady. This tour gave us a great insight into the West MacDonnell ranges and its rich history.
the2griseldas, May 2023
Loved the multiple sites, the informative and entertaining commentary by driver/guide Karen. A full, wonderful, day! (Had thought about driving all that ourselves, but this was so much more relaxing!)
Alison_T, May 2023
The walks and amazing scenery are a must to see! Karen, our guide, was personable and full of information about the area and the wildlife.
Jazmin_H, Apr 2023
Tour guide Karen was fantastic.
Got to learn about history, birds, plants, land formations.
Saw beautiful areas and got to walk in nature (not too far)
Weather was beautiful in April, warm but not too hot
I would do this tour again
From $187.31
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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West MacDonnell Ranges Day Trip from Alice Springs
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