West Macdonnell Ranges and Palm Valley

While based in Alice Springs we explored the West Macdonnell Ranges over three days. There are quite a few gorges and waterholes - some better than others. We drove to Redbank Gorge (@150km from Alice). The walk wasn't to my liking- dry rocky creek bed navigating around boulders etc. I gave up and left Brad do the last 50m or so as you had to climb over large rocks to reach the waterhole. The water was quite murky and not very inviting.

Working our way back to Alice was Glen Helen Gorge (poorly maintained track through a dry creek bed), Serpentine Gorge (quite pretty), the Ochre Pits (not as colourful as the ones up near Marree in SA), Ormiston Gorge (one of my favourites - easy walk too), Ellery Creek Big Hole (this was nice too - but it was getting late and the sun was setting). That was a big day - over 18000 steps and 300km driving - and we still had a couple of other places to visit which we did a couple of days later.

Probably the most dramatic and well known is Standley Chasm with its sheer crevices which glow orange at the right time of day (@noon). Simpson's Gap was the other point of interest and it, along with Standley Chasm, are usually featured in tourism advertising for Alice Springs and the Northern Territory.

On our final day in Alice we picked up a tour to Palm Valley which included serious 4WD experience. After about 20km of corrugated roads and dry sandy/rocky river bed crossings, the last 4km had the 4WD bus going up and down rock shelves and creek crossings. There is no way we would tackle it in our vehicle. When we reached Palm Valley there were hundreds of palms and cycads that seem out of place in the desert environment. Once again, another walk that didn't suit me - climbing up rocks and descending again - I'm going to stick to the easy walks from now on as I really don't enjoy rock hopping.

So, a busy week in Alice Springs, saw plenty, time to keep heading north. Photos of all the stops to give you an idea.Read more