Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia +61 8 8951 8211 Website Alice Springs Campervan Hire

hatscoach (contributor)

The MacDonnel Ranges are a natural wall next to Alice Springs.

The “West MacDonnel National Park” consists the west of Alice Springs located part of the rough MacDonnel Ranges (2005 km2). The Ranges are about 400 km long.
They originated from Vulcanic activities and were later eroded. Rivers made deep Valleys, and the shadow allowed a lot more plants and animals to survive.

Here you find these great Landscapes:
Ormiston Gorge
Ellery Creek Big Hole
Standley Chasm
the Ochre Pitts

realmwaiting (contributor)

I visited the West MacDonnell ranges with Emu Run Tours. The day-trip consisted of visits to Flynn’s Grave, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Bighole, Orche Pits, Ormiston Gorge & Glen Helen for A$99 tea, lunch and park entrance fee included (circa 2003).

This is the furthest point of the day-tour and after this, the journey back to Alice Springs begin.

Glen Helen is home to one of the largest gap in the West MacDonnell ranges. Here, you may find some accommodation near the carpark (1 hostel and 1 hotel) and 1 restaurant for meals & drinks.

Glen Helen is home to a great waterway (Finke River), though should you visit it during the dry months, the water recedes to such a great extent that what was previously submerged under river water is left exposed to the sun as wonderful walking/hiking trails which eventually end at the water edge where the cool blue waters looked inviting for a plunge. Don’t be fooled – it’s biting cold. Members of my tour group found out the hard way (grin)

Really beautiful place. Glad I was there!

slurpunction (contributor)

I visited the West MacDonnell ranges with Emu Run Tours. The day-trip consisted of visits to Flynn’s Grave, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Bighole, Orche Pits, Ormiston Gorge & Glen Helen for A$99 tea, lunch and park entrance fee included (circa 2003).

Flynn’s Grave is the first stop. It is the resting place for the ashes of the Reverend John Flynn, founder of the Flying Doctor Service and the Australian Inland Mission. In 1949, aged 70, Reverend John Flynn climbed Mt Gillen and declared this was the place he would like to be buried. The ashes of the reverend is safeguarded by a rock removed from the Devils Marbles (or Karlukarlu which is the Aboriginal name), south of Tennant Creek some 46 years ago. It also serves as an enduring marker of his grave.

The grave is on a low hill at the foot of the MacDonnell Ranges. The plaque expresses a lifetime achievement in just a few lines: “His vision encompassed the continent. He established the Australian Inland Mission and founded the Royal Flying Doctor Service. He brought to lonely places a spiritual ministry and spread a mantle of safety over them by medicine and the radio.”

There are bicycle paths here as well.

aridunarmed (contributor)

I visited the West MacDonnell ranges with Emu Run Tours. The day-trip consisted of visits to Flynn’s Grave, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Bighole, Orche Pits, Ormiston Gorge & Glen Helen for A$99 tea, lunch and park entrance fee included (circa 2003).

Ellery Creek Bighole is one of Central Australia’s most pristine waterholes and is also the last stop of the day. At this spot, you are almost mid-point between Alice Springs and Glen Helen.

Here, you may find amenity facilities and if you wish, swim in the waterhole especially during the warmer months. Do note: A word of warning here, the water temperature gets colder with the depth of the water, so don’t dive deeply.

I was very surprised to find a solitary black swan when I was there. It was actually the first time I have seen one in the wild! Maybe it is still there.

codaroasting (contributor)

I visited the West MacDonnell ranges with Emu Run Tours. The day-trip consisted of visits to Flynn’s Grave, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Bighole, Orche Pits, Ormiston Gorge & Glen Helen for A$99 tea, lunch and park entrance fee included (circa 2003).

A river runs through the gorge and was flanked on both flanks by sandy white sand.

From Ormiston Gorge, you will get a view of nearby Mount Sonder, which my guide said look like a pregnant lady lying down. It is the subject of many paintings by the famed aboriginal artist and Arnada tribesman, the late Albert Namatjira, after whom the drive is named.

We stopped here for a simple sandwich and coffee/tea lunch. Extremely scenic and windy!

bedoff (contributor)

I visited the West MacDonnell ranges with Emu Run Tours. The day-trip consisted of visits to Flynn’s Grave, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Bighole, Orche Pits, Ormiston Gorge & Glen Helen for A$99 tea, lunch and park entrance fee included (circa 2003).

Continue west for another 23kms after Simpson’s Gap and you’ll arrive at Standley Chasm, located 10kms north of the main road. It is now managed by representatives of Iwupataka, an aboriginal settlement on nearby Jay Creek, and is one of the most publicised attractions in Central Australia.

From the kiosk, picnic area and carpark, you will walk some 800 metres along the stony riverbed to reach the chasm, which is best photographed at noon when the sun is directly overhead. The sheer, steep and reddish walls around you will slowly, but surely cave in on you until you reach the final walking point in the chasm. Here the chasm ends with a river. The view of the towering walls around you is just breathtaking!

For folks driving, an entrance fee is charged to the chasm area and the park is open from 8.30 am until 5.00 pm daily. Drinks, sandwiches, souvenirs and films are available from the kiosk.

siexterior (contributor)

I visited the West MacDonnell ranges with Emu Run Tours. The day-trip consisted of visits to Flynn’s Grave, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Bighole, Orche Pits, Ormiston Gorge & Glen Helen for A$99 tea, lunch and park entrance fee included (circa 2003).

17km after Ormiston Gorge are the Ochre Pits, a source of painting materials of the Aboriginals for centuries. Brilliantly coloured, the natural ochres in the cliff face are a must for the photographer and a pleasant respite for any visitor.

Watch walls of multi colour hues surround you. Lots of walking trails here too.

specificrob (contributor)

I visited the West MacDonnell ranges with Emu Run Tours. The day-trip consisted of visits to Flynn’s Grave, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Bighole, Orche Pits, Ormiston Gorge & Glen Helen for A$99 tea, lunch and park entrance fee included (circa 2003).

Simpson`s Gap, located near Alice Springs, as the name implies, is a natural gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges and was the second stop.

A little way along Larapinta Drive is an information centre, and the gap is some 7kms from the main road. Simpson’s Gap is one of the most frequently visited in the ranges and a colony of Rock Wallabies can usually be seen there (yes, I saw them hopping among the rocks, unbelievable!) on the steep hillside to the right of the riverbed leading to the water-hole in the Gap.

Toilets, barbecue facilities and picnic facilities are provided.

Latest Images of West MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs

 Lasseter Highway, Uluru NT 0872, Australia +61 8 8956 1128 Website 8am – 5pm Alice Springs Campervan Hire

imploregull (contributor)

Yet another iconic site. It was certainly worth seeing, but on the day we went there, due to strong winds, you could not climb it. No problem neither of us had intended to climb it and when we saw the vertical iron ladder used to climb it, we both knew we would never have got up there anyway – fear of heights.

We could not walk right round it as there were bush fires and it dangerous to do so. We walked part of the way round and saw that while it looks smooth from a distance, it isn’t close up. This walk was interesting and we enjoyed it.

Our trip should have included watching the sunset over the rock with a glass of champagne, but …… in the middle of one of the driest deserts on Earth it suddenly started to rain. Now I would just have enjoyed the rain but our guide ushered us all back onto the bus; took us to a carpark with shelter near the Ayers Rock Hotel where we had a barbeque dinner. Oh well, we did not see the sunset, but we did see a passing dingo.

This trip was way too long. Everyone, thankfully except the driver, was fast asleep when we finally made it back to Alice Springs.

mixergorilla (contributor)

A straightforward run to Ayers Rock with a stop at Erldunda for petrol. Toured the resort and visitors centre in the afternoon.  The visitors centre is still the same – very good.  Several new accommodations have been built.  The name has reverted from Yulara to Ayers Rock Resort, and the caravan park is now managed privately.  The prices are pretty much as they were 8 years ago, which brings them more back into line with other parks around.

The kids had a swim late afternoon and the water was still freezing.  Went out to take the obligatory sunset shots with thousands of others.  Luckily they now have opened another viewing area and segregated the buses from the cars which has made it much more civilised.

Latest Images of Ayers Rock, Alice Springs

 Lasseter Highway, Uluru NT 0872, Australia +61 8 8956 1128 Website 8am – 5pm Alice Springs Campervan Hire

masticateripe (contributor)

On our day trip to Ayers Rock we visited the Olgas. We had a walk through the centre of these beautiful mountains. It was hot on the way. On the way back a breeze had started up. The breeze was like a furnace blast and blew sand into our faces. I felt like I was having all my skin removed, but the mountains were beautiful. Quite relieved to get back on the air-conditioned bus.

copyrightprojects (contributor)

NATIONAL PARKS TRIP
When I booked into Annies for my accomodation..I discovered that from here I could organise and book my trip to The National Parks of Uluru Kata-Tjuta (Ayers rock and Olgas)and Watarkka (The Kings Canyon).. The trips go very regularly..they are for three days and two nights..The transport is a 20 seat bus..that was reasonably comfortable..The trip..leaves early morning and the bus tows a large boxed trailer that carried all camping equipment ,food and personal packs..The driver, guide and cook was a jovial personality that made the trip enjoyable..everybody got to know each other quickly and the group was made up of more than a dozen nationalities..everybodys choice of music was pretty continuous.

DAY1…first day was the drive to Watarkka (Kings Canyon National Park) .most of the afternoon spent here…different walks are taken here depending on the grades of fitness..This is really a marvellous Canyon to see..from here we drove to Curtain Springs (where we viewed Mount Connor and a marvellous sunset) coomonly called “fool a ru” as upon first sight everyone thought that it was “Uhuru” We all camped in the Bush under the stars for the night.(this was outside the National Park)..everybody got togeather and got firewood for the evening..then, dinner…clean up and campfire chat and drink…also Curtain Springs is the only place to buy alcohol out herebecause the aboriginal areas forbid the sale of alcohol

DAY 2 The next morning was early start.. breakfast and the drive to The Uluru National Park and directly to Kata Tjuta ( the Olgas)..I enjoyed this most of all…once again the walks here can be extreme. They are long an arduous.although it was winter it was hot.So,after the day exploring this amazing Unesco Cultural site we dove then to Yulara. Yulara is the complex within the National Park and run by the National Park administrators..all sorts of accomodation are available here. All is expensive!!
.we once again camped for the night under the stars.(the night sky is to be beleived here)we had good cooking amenities here and plenty of firewood at site….also good clean shower and toilets..(great).(see note at end).

DAY 3…once again an early start ..breakfast, clean up and out to the Uluru ( Ayers Rock).. and what an impressive sight this is..all day is spent here with many doing various activities…climbing…walking and viewing..Plenty of time to do and see what you choose..also visit to the Aboriginal Cultural centre here ..lots to see..and various shops in the complex.Aboriginal art and all sorts of hand crafted wooden souveniers here . The drive out in the evening saw us all setting ourselves up for the “sunset photos” I was quite surprised that the hundreds of cars and busses that just seemed to come from nowhere..after the sunset we set out for our return trip to Alice Springs.I was also surprised to see so many tables set up for dinner with lovely white table cloths and beautifully set out with cutlery ,crockery, and champagne glasses.all being fussed over by immaculately dressed waiters in white shirts , black trousers and black bow ties..I remember thinking..Boy! some people really travel well..!!!
This was a really enjoyable camping trip and I could not fault it for the cost….The food wasn’t too bad really although simple ..mostly pasta and the like..although we had a BBQ breakfast second day.(I was the cook).it was GO GO GO as we covered a lot of miles in the three days..about 1000 kilometers all up round trip.

The bus was relatively comfortable and made stops when neccesary at truckstops.
I hired my sleeping bag and swag at Annies for about $30.00.
National Park entry fees were extra 25.00
The all up cost for everything was just under $320.00 which I thought was a really good deal…considering what was done and seen in the three days..when I first arrived I wasn’t sure of what travel group I would take ..This was a good choice for budget travel..this would be hard to beat..yes..I would do it again it was great..as for the sleeping bag and “swag” for the unfamiliar..it was comfortable ..even as the nights were very cold..

SPECIAL NOTE..Remember also this is a National Park and wildlife are in abundance here.
.I awoke to find a Dingo with four others trying to drag off my shoes..after a well aimed shot with my waterbottle he left…it could have been different.
.ALSO…always make sure you 1..take a torch…2.. have plenty of water with you at all times..
3.have sunscreen..4.a good hat…5 some lip balm..6.good walking shoes..

Latest Images of The Olgas, Alice Springs

 Herbert Heritage Drive, Stuart NT 0870, Australia +61 8 8952 3993 Website 9am – 5pm Alice Springs Campervan Hire

stationantlia (contributor)

The Telegraph Station is the oldest building in Alice Springs. It is a bit out of town. We walked to it via the dried out Todd River bed.

The telegraph station enabled telegraphic communication between Adelaide and Darwin. The station is now a museum with old photos and telegraphic equipment. I found it interesting.

mousellinespiky (contributor)

The history of Alice Springs revolves around a single piece of wire that stretched from Darwin to Adelaide and carried the all important telegraph messages. Perhaps in these days of instantaneous communication with anywhere in the world via satellite and other types of transmission, the idea of the telegraph does sound totally alien – men sitting at desks pounding out messages one fingered on their Morse keys to be relayed to another operator about 250 km away and repeated over several hours across Australia. I used to be in the Scouting movement many years ago and did learn Morse code. Later for a short time I was in the Citizens Military Forces (CMF and now called the Army Reserve) and in the signals section – I became a signaler and as such did know and use Morse code – although I was very slow.

To give you an example of how long it would take for a message to be transmitted from Darwin to Adelaide, the most proficient Morse operators could send/receive messages at about 40 wpm (words per minute). The first paragraph above is 140 words and therefore would take 3.5 minutes to send/receive. The line was 3200 km from Darwin to Adelaide and had 11 repeater stations plus a ‘terminus’ at each end. Thus the above paragraph would have taken 3.5 minutes x 12 = 42 minutes to be sent and received.

The Alice Springs Telegraph Station is located 4 km from Alice Springs Township and is a well-preserved monument to those who constructed the line, which was completed in 1872 and to those who sat on keyboards receiving and sending messages across the void of desert until its closure after 60 years in 1932. The subsequent history of the station – it became a church mission dedicated to caring for and educating Aboriginal children. One of many panels in the interior of the building states, “They just take you out of your mother’s arms.” Sad times and the basis for ‘SORRY’ as expressed in Federal Parliament.

With my own experiences using Morse code, I was particularly fascinated with the post and telegraph office where much of the earlier equipment was on display and, importantly, in full working order. They even had a taped message and the all-pervading sound of dit, dah, dit etc but at a very rapid rate – the sort of rate that an experienced operator would be able to send/receive messages.

On an interpretive panel, a poignant reminder of the hard work read, “Every word of the world news passed through the Alice Springs telegraph office.”

Sadly our time at the Telegraph Station was very short and I would think you should allow 3 + hours to really enjoy – and far more if you are an ex-signaler. On the off chance that you are, I hope you remember the ditty we used to sing out in a bawdy mess room fashion after far too much beer, “Dit dah dit said the signalman, merry, merry men are we . . . “

To help you with research here are 2 links – Australian Overland Telegraph Line and Morse code

instructvalues (contributor)

The Old Alice Springs Telegraph Station (ASTS) was the fourth stop (of five) on our Discover a Town Like Alice Tour. Because of the availability of water, for thousands of years the Arrernte people met at this site for ceremonies and to exchange goods. Mostly because of the same reason, the ASTS was the first white settlement in Central Australia. The telegraph station (1880 photo) was operational from 1872 – 1932. It became a children’s home called The Bungalow from 1932 – 1942, and subsequently a reserve for the local Aboriginal population after World War II until 1960. The telegraph station was declared a historical reserve in 1963. The buildings have been restored to how they looked in the 1895 – 1905 timeframe. The site includes the stationmaster’s house (built in 1888), the stationmaster’s kitchen (originally a post and telegraph office built in 1877, opening in January 1898; converted to a kitchen in late 1880’s), the post and telegraph office (built in late 1880’s), the barracks (oldest building in Central Australia; built in November 1871), the battery room (originally sleeping quarters for linesmen in 1880, then batteries in 1886, and schoolroom in 1932), and a storage and buggy shed (built in early 1870’s).

Unfortunately our tour was running late and we only had 30 minutes to spend at ASTS. I did do the Waterhole Walk (75 m, 10 min return from the Blacksmith Shop); however, there was another walk that I would like to have done. It was the Trig Hill Walk (1.2 km, 30 min return) which goes to the high point in the Reserve and has views of ASTS compound, Todd River and MacDonnell Ranges. Actually the ASTS is only ~3 km north of the Todd Mall up the river. In fact the old road used to go north at Hartley Street on the west side of the river, cross the river and go through the grassy flat called Middle Park on the east side of the river, and then cross back over to the west side about 500 m south of ASTS.

Latest Images of The Telegraph Station, Alice Springs

 Tuncks Rd, Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia +61 8 8952 2154 Website 8am – 6pm Alice Springs Campervan Hire

parchedgucci (contributor)

This was one of the first places we visited in Alice Springs. It did not look all that different from the surrounding landscape. However, it was filled with wild kangaroos when we visited. Never having seen a wild kangaroo before we were well impressed. In zoos kangaroos just lie there. These ones were jumping around all over the place. At first I nearly walked into one as it was so well camoflaged against the rocks.

Latest Images of The Olive Pink Botanical Gardens, Alice Springs

 10/66 Smith St, Ciccone NT 0870, Australia +61 (8) 8952 1731 Website Alice Springs Campervan Hire

irritatinggash (contributor)

The 2010 VT Meet group took the Discover a Town Like Alice Tour by Tailormade Tours on the afternoon of 20 Aug 2010. It took about four hours and we visited five places: the Mbantua Gallery and Cultural Museum, the Royal Flying Doctors Service, the Alice Springs School of Air, the Old Alice Springs Telegraph Station, and Anzac Hill. John was our excellent driver and guide. For a group we got a discounted price of 59.25 AUD (normally adults are 79.00 AUD and children 2 – 14 years are 60 AUD). The price included all entrance fees, along with complimentary pick up and drop off from all hotels. See the next several tips for information on where we went on the tour.

Latest Images of A Town Like Alice Tour, Alice Springs

 2 Stuart Terrace, Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia +61 8 8952 9006 Website 10am – 5pm Alice Springs Campervan Hire

grapesabout (contributor)

I could really get myself into trouble with the girls here, so I’ll try really hard to be good and not make any sexist jibes along the way – although it may prove to be an impossible task!

I was expecting lots of interesting interpretive panels on the hardships of the early pioneering women and how they toiled in the heat, dust and flies of outback Australia – and yes there were those panels and so much more.

The tales of our pioneering women are in the main fascinating and one of so many panels read: “Fanny Ross, one of the first English speaking women at the heart of Australia, had her piano transported from South Australia by bullock wagon, which took 3 months and cost £100 ($200) in freight.”

Perhaps picking out that story amongst the hundreds may be a little unfair, but a girl has to do what a girl needs to do and if that happens to be playing her piano well so be it.

There was a lot more than the stories if pioneering women from the early days of settlement in the outback of Australia.

Many of the panels centered around those women who achieved ‘firsts’ in their chosen fields; politicians State and Federal featured quite prominently and titled ‘A woman’s place is in the house’ (Parliament house); ‘Not just a pretty face’ was just a little taste of those pioneering women in films and started with the actor Beatrice Day who starred in possibly the worlds first feature film and made by the Salvation Army ‘Soldiers of the Cross’ (1900).

There was a large collection of domestic appliances from various times, including many different types of irons as used in ironing clothes – which did seem quite odd for outback women, but then again a girl has to do what . . . never mind – LOL

Hopefully you can read one of the panels as per photo above – “weep while you sweep” and looks at how radio has played a part in the lives of women since the 1930’s

The remainder of the old jail (old English word is gaol and pronounced the same as jail) has been retained and would have been punishment in itself to be incarcerated during the heat of summer (+45 c many days) and the bitterly cold of desert winters (-5 c many nights) – but then again if you do the crime then you do the time and hopefully won’t come back again, which reminds me – why put all those great displays about women in a kitchen of a former jail? There must be some sort of connection!

Very interesting experience and suggest allow at least 2 hours depending on interest.

Latest Images of National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame, Alice Springs

 8-10 Stuart Terrace, Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia +61 8 8958 8412 Website 9am – 5pm Alice Springs Campervan Hire

tongpooch (contributor)

The third stop on our Whistle Stop tour of Alice Springs was the iconic Control Station for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The Flying Doctors are very dear to the hearts of Australians and in particular the outback and rural areas. Their web site has a great slogan – “The furthest corner, the finest care.”

Sadly all we could visit was the new theatrette where a very interesting video of the work of the Flying Doctors was shown on a large screen.

We made a quick dash through the museum and would have loved to have spent time looking and experiencing the interactive displays, but had to make a choice – something to eat or the museum. Without food we may have suddenly become patients for the famous flying doctors, so eat we did.

They do have an on-site café located in the historic veranda area, but the café operates Monday to Saturday and we visited on a Sunday. However as said on my introductory page on Alice Springs, it was the ladies auxiliary to the rescue with freshly made up sandwiches, cakes and coffee – strangely I did not see any scones which I would have considered to be very much in keeping with the traditions of country women.

Latest Images of Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre, Alice Springs

 Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia +61 8 8950 0500 Website 12am – 11:59pm Alice Springs Campervan Hire

pentagonbog (contributor)

Anzac Hill is the only point of height within Alice Springs itself. This means that you can get a great view over Alice Springs from the top and also, the sunset from here is great. Once at the top, you can enjoy the view over to the McDonnell Ranges.

Atop Anzac Hill you will find a war memorial to fallen soldiers.

Latest Images of ANZAC Hill, Alice Springs

 2 Norris Bell Ave, Arumbera NT 0873, Australia +61 8 8953 8940 9am – 4pm Alice Springs Campervan Hire

instrcentroid (contributor)

Learn about the history of the Old Ghan when you visit the Old Ghan Museum and Heritage Railway.
We enjoyed a trip on the heritage rail in the Year 2000 after completing our tag along tour from Quorn which travelled the route of the Old Ghan train. We were actually on the track for a while.

This is when we bought our Old Ghan train caps which we renew every 2-3 years and wear everywhere. These caps suit us both and are a great help for ‘meeting people’ .
You can still buy them …2010….Look at almost any collection of our photos and we will be wearing the caps in some of them.

For your cap write to : PO Box 8099 Alice Springs 0871 AUSTRALIA

About $20 now plus postage. Denim or black.(2011)

As far as I know you can still take the heritage rail trip in part of The Old Ghan.

Latest Images of Old Ghan, Alice Springs