WEST MACDONNELL RANGES HALF DAY - SMALL GROUP TOUR

Tour Itinerary 

Anzac Hill

Your journey begins with a warm welcome and a brief introduction to Alice Springs and the rich cultural heritage of Arrernte Country. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the region, its people, and the deep connection between Country, culture, and community that makes Alice Springs such a special place to visit. At Anzac Hill, you'll enjoy breathtaking views over Alice Springs and the surrounding MacDonnell Ranges. This spot is a tribute to those who served in Australia’s defence forces, and it offers a perfect vantage point for photographing the town below, set against the dramatic outback landscape.

John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve: 

Your next stop will be at Flynn’s Grave Memorial, the resting place of Reverend Flynn, the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. We stopped to relax, enjoy the changing colours of the magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges, and get some photos. 

Simpsons Gap

Simpson Gap features the towering cliffs of Simpsons Range, a permanent waterhole, and opportunities to spot resident wildlife and ancient Red River Gums with a taste of Central Australia. Simpsons Gap is a significant site to the local Arrernte Aboriginal people and was the mythological home of giant goanna ancestors.

We will take you on a short, easy walk alongside a picturesque dry creek bed that leads to a dramatic gap in the MacDonnell Ranges and a waterhole rich in native wildlife, flora, and geology. Sometimes, you may even spot Black-footed Rock-wallabies along the walking track into the rocky slopes gap. 

Honeymoon Gap

Your next visit will be Honeymoon Gap/ Temple Bar Gap, a small gap south of Larapinta Drive opposite Simpsons Gap, 14km west of Alice Springs. The gap is historically significant to the Arrernte people, the land's traditional owners.

The name Temple Bar Gap fell out of favour following the site becoming the honeymoon location for Robert (Bob) and Victoria (Vicky) Darken, who married at the Alice Springs Methodist Church on 25 June 1942. Bob Darken was given a week's leave from the army, and the couple planned to camp for a week at the gap and borrowed a car and a tent. The couple had repeated issues with the vehicle, and it rained for most of the week so, concerned for their safety, friends decided to visit them regularly; they said they were "going to see the honeymooners" or "going to honeymoon gap."

It was not until 1981 that the name of the pass was officially changed to Honeymoon Gap. In 2004, the NT Place Names Committee agreed that the official name of the gap should remain Temple Bar Gap.

Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye)

The final stop on your West MacDonnell tour is Standley Chasm, a spectacular rock formation named after Mrs. Ida Standley, Alice Springs' first schoolteacher. Known as Angkerle Atwatye, or "The Gap of Water," this dramatic chasm is surrounded by native flora and wildlife, making it a photographer’s paradise. You’ll enjoy a 600-meter walk through a well-maintained trail that leads to the towering rock walls of the chasm and returns. The site is managed by Arrernte Aboriginal descendants, adding a deeper layer of cultural significance to your visit.

Standley Chasm is managed by Arrernte Aboriginal family members who are direct descendants of the Aboriginal people who have lived in the area for thousands of years. 

At the end of this enriching tour, you’ll be taken back to your Alice Springs hotel, leaving you with unforgettable memories of the rugged beauty and profound history of the West MacDonnell Ranges.