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
- Lunch
- Accommodation pick-up and drop-off
- 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 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, Sep 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, Sep 2025
A wonderful experience but make sure you have a bug head net! Our driver, Kylie, was very knowledgeable and pleasant.
ORYITZHAK_N, Sep 2025
Beautiful place and a very nice tour guide. Great and relaxed. excellent to see the most important places near Alice Springs.
Christopher_K, Sep 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.
From $170.76
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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