East MacDonnell Ranges & Alice Town Highlights Half Day Tour

Your first visit is to Araluen Arts Centre. You will get an excellent opportunity to get a closer look at Albert Mamatjira's arts, learn about unique natural history, follow the evolution of the landscape and fascinating creatures, and explore the panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges. The Araluen Arts Centre aims to develop a collection of artworks that reflect a permanent record of art practice in Central Australia. Araluen Arts Centre holds a comprehensive collection of paintings by Albert Namatjira.

Our next exciting place is Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tour Facility. See, experience and learn through the wonder of technology the heroic tales of the birth and growth of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Learn about the history and the activities of the RFDS’s pilots, engineers, doctors and nurses, and the experiences of the patients that are carried and cared for each day. Learn the importance of the RFDS to outback Australians and the medical care required to service isolated regions.

Your next stop will be Pack a picnic, watch the local wildlife, or follow a short walking track into Emily and Jessie gaps. The two small gaps in the Heavitree Range are important spiritual sites to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people. Many places in the surrounding landscape are associated with the same caterpillar Dreamtime story, and form a 'Dreaming Trail'. Emily Gap is a significant sacred site where the caterpillar beings of Mparntwe (Alice Springs) originated. These caterpillars formed Emily Gap, and many of the topographic features around Alice Springs radiated out to the edge of the Simpson Desert. At Emily Gap, you can see a large rock painting depicting the caterpillar dreaming.

Your next visit will be Corroboree Rock. It’s one of many sites in the MacDonnell Ranges that are of great importance to the Eastern Arrernte people. Please take a short walk with our guide around the rock base to survey the area and have a closer look at the ancient sedimentary, fine-grained rock. At the base, you can see dark grey and light grey streaky blobs of dolostone rock. A ring of low ground surrounding it makes it look like an obelisk. The real significance of the rocky outcrop to the Eastern Arrernte people is not well known. Corroboree Rock was probably not a corroboree site due to the lack of water in the area but was probably used as an important storage site for ceremonial objects. The rock is an outcrop of dolomite from the Bitter Springs Formation originally laid down in salty lakes 800 million years ago.

Your next visit will be Trephina Gorge, Nature Park. Discover the rugged landscapes, wildlife, Aboriginal and pastoral histories of the East MacDonnell Ranges at Trephina Gorge Nature Park. Located 85 kilometres east of Alice Springs, the park is a handy distance for a day or a longer trip and is notable for its short walks, views, and natural beauty. Trephina Gorge has wide views across a sandy creek bed and can be explored via a network of short walking tracks. It’s one of two gorges that intersect the East MacDonnell Ranges. As well as a good place for a cool dip, waterholes in this area attract abundant animals and birds. The largest Ghost Gum in Central Australia is set in the park, alone on a saltbush flat. The area is significant to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people and contains sites part of the Wallaby dreaming trail. Once a part of the Garden Station, the park has strong historical links with the early settlement of Central Australia.

Your final stop is Anzac Hill, one of the most famous viewpoints in Alice Springs. From this vantage point, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the entire town and the surrounding MacDonnell Ranges. It’s the perfect spot to capture a photo of Alice Springs set against the backdrop of the rugged desert landscape. The hill is also home to a memorial dedicated to those who have served in Australia’s defence forces, honouring the sacrifices made during international wars. As the sun sets over the MacDonnell Ranges, you’ll have the chance to reflect on the significance of this iconic location.