MacDonnell Ranges

Introducing MacDonnell Ranges

The ancient, weather-beaten MacDonnell Ranges stretch 400km across the desert. Alice Springs lies where the Todd River bisects the range through Heavitree Gap, creating the East and West MacDonnells. Though not particularly high, this range provides dramatic relief from the surrounding plains and exhibits an artist’s pallette of colour and texture. Its hidden-world topography harbours rare wildlife and poignant Aboriginal heritage and it’s all accessible from Alice Springs.

The West MacDonnell National Park protects a significant part of this range, from the Stuart Hwy just north of Alice Springs to Mt Zeil, 170km to the west. Within its boundaries are beautiful, brick-red gorges, cool waterholes and camping grounds, plus a network of trails for bushwalkers.

In dry conditions all the attractions are accessible to 2WD vehicles, and most can be visited in several short day trips or one long day trip from Alice. To get the most out of the area, it’s best to camp or stay at Glen Helen Resort for at least one night. Namatjira Dr turns off Larapinta Dr and is sealed as far as Tylers Pass. Work is ongoing to seal it the entire way to the Larapinta Dr west of Hermannsburg – making the so-called Inner Loop back to Alice.

Last updated: Apr 19, 2010