MacDonnell Ranges Western - MacDonnell Ranges Occidentali

MacDonnell Ranges Western (West) are located in Northern Territory, and more precisely in the Red Center ofAustralia, West of Alice Springs.

To know

THE MacDonnell Ranges Western are one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful, milky chain in the center ofAustralia. They are also easily accessible from Alice Springs with a day trip, even if, if you want to visit all the points of interest, it is advisable to spend a night in the park. It is suggested to accompany this visit with a tour of the MacDonnell Ranges Eastern, albeit only for half a day.

Geographical notes

THE MacDonnell Ranges Western they extend over 200 km west of Alice Springs. The first natural park (Simpsons Gap), is located just 18 km from the city, making it very popular especially on weekends.

Flora and fauna

The park, at first glance, can be a big arid desert. In fact, there are many animals that reside in this area, starting with kangaroos of the rocks, from the countless species of birds and other animals of the marsupial family. There is obviously no shortage of snakes to which you must always pay close attention. Be aware that during the day temperatures can be very high, and therefore the animals tend to go out in the hours close to sunrise and sunset.

The plants in this part ofAustralia they are typical of the outback, that is fat and linked to desert areas. The mulga is a typical plant of the center Australia, with a very hard trunk, used for the creation of tools by the aborigines. There are also many gum-trees, trees with white and smooth trunk.

If you are lucky enough to arrive after a rain you will immediately notice how little water can suddenly wake the desert. Green wins over brown and red. Plants grow at an unthinkable speed. It is as if nature suddenly wants to exploit that little water to concentrate a year of life in a few days, maybe a week.

When to go

Heat and humidity are an important factor to consider visiting MacDonnell Ranges Western. During the hot hours in January and February, temperatures in the Gorges could be as high as 45-50 degrees. Ellery Creek Big Hole offers a nice pond to cool off.

Clearly you don't come to Australia just for this park so all that remains is to be prepared for the conditions of the period you visit this continent, which can be, depending on the months, completely different, and sometimes even surprising. Summarizing in a nutshell:

• from November to March temperatures can soar as high as 45-50 degrees during the day, and there can also be some rainy days, although periods of years without rain are not uncommon. In these months the visits are concentrated in the very busy morning (dawn) and in the late afternoon. On average every 10-15 years there are also overflows and floods, check the weather conditions before leaving.
• from June to September the temperatures during the day are only very pleasant, around 20 degrees perfect for visiting and walking the sites. Beware that nights can be very cold, even below zero, and even during the day there may be that cool wind that requires a sweater. If you are camping in the park, bring the right equipment for the night. If you have warm accommodation in Alice Springs this is probably the best time.
• in the other months the temperatures are more moderate

Background

The Ranges have a life of 310 to 340 million years and have emerged as a result of strong earthquakes that have changed a good part of the central part of theAustralia.

Both MacDonnell Ranges have been inhabited by the Aboriginal people, the Arrernte, for thousands of years. A good part of this has now unfortunately moved to Alice Springs where it has not fully integrated, thus losing the traditions handed down from generation to generation.

The white man moved to this area for the first time at the end of the 19th century to search for gold, but without too much luck.

Territories and tourist destinations

How to get

The inhabited center to be kept as a base is Alice Springs from which i MacDonnell Ranges Western. There is a petrol station in Glene Helen Gorge but it is still recommended to fill up in the city before leaving.

By plane

The airport is located in Alice Springs from which you can rent a car or opt for an organized trip.

By car

Larapinta Drv (state 6) starts from Alice Springs and follows i MacDonnell Ranges Western. Approximately 50km from the city take the Namatjira Drv (state 2) which will take you to Glen Helen Gorge (it is easy to miss the Namatjira Drv as it doesn't seem like the main road, be careful)

The road is paved for approximately 130km to Glen Hellen Gorge, after which it is unpaved. 4WD is essential if you intend to go further. The speed limit is 110 km. It is easy to pass this limit, given the absence of traffic and the road always straight, but it is not recommended as the police frequently install speed control lasers. Alcohol level checks are also not uncommon.

If you have decided to rent a car a Alice Springs, make sure the mileage is included, so as not to have any nasty surprises on your return. Besides the usual companies like Avis, Budget and Europcar, it is also recommended to check with Outback Auto Rentals [1]^{[link not working]}, a local supplier, and AutoEurope [2], one of the rare operators that rent with unlimited mileage. Beware that they tend to invoice km over 100 / day, do write unlimited mileage on the contract, so as not to have any nasty surprises later (check your credit card anyway and get the phone number, in case you can at least call back). In addition, car insurance does not normally cover if you travel off-road, even dirt, with a 2WD (if you do it for a few kilometers, be careful and reduce your speed).

By bus

Greyhound Australia [3] is the only official bus company that connects Alice Springs. Here you can rent a car or opt for an organized trip.

Permits / Rates

Ranges are accessible without the need for permits. Only if you want to camp you will have to pay $ 3 -5 $, to be placed in a box in the envelope provided.

How to get around

Download a map [4] gods MacDonnell Ranges Western. The car is the essential means of getting around the park. It is also possible to do it by bike, especially if you only want to visit Simpsons Gap, 17 km from the Alice Springs, there is also a track dedicated solely to bikes, alternatively you can opt for an organized tour that will pick you up from your accommodation early in the morning and bring you back in the late afternoon. Some operators are:

• Alice Wanderer, ☎ 61 (08) 8952 2111. from 105 $. Specialized in the Western MacDonnells, but also organizes trips to the Eastern ones on request or for multi-day trips 
• Emu Run Tours, ☎ 61 (08) 8953 7057, @[email protected]. from $ 99. Also included lunch and breakfast 
• Chambers Pillar, ☎ 61 (08) 8953 2666, @[email protected]. from $ 148. Specialized in 4WD travel 

What see

• Simpsons Gap[5], of considerable spiritual importance to the Arrernte, is one of the most spectacular gaps of the MacDonnell Ranges Western. If you can, visit early in the morning or late in the evening, these are the times when the rock-wallabies (kangaroos that live among the rocks, with black legs) come out to eat and to stroll. There is a track dedicated solely to bikes that takes you from the city. The park is easily accessible from Alice Springs, about 18 km to the west.
• Simpsons Gap Visitor Center, to gather information about the park
• Standley Chasm (admission $ 8), a crack of a few meters in the red mountain. The visit makes its best in the middle of the day when some rays of sun manage to find the opening to illuminate this space. It is located 50 km from the city, just before the junction for Namatjira Drv.
• Ellery Creek Big Hole, it is not only a small lake where it is possible to have a pleasant swim, but also an internationally recognized geological site. Take the Dolomite Walk to fully appreciate it. If you swim in the cooler months, pay attention to the temperature of the water, it can be really freezing. It is about 90 km from Alice Springs.
• Serpentine Gorge, park your car and follow the river bed for about a kilometer on foot. You will arrive in this canyon with access blocked by a pool of water (swimming prohibited). The view is magnificent but nothing compared to what you will get from the top of the canyon, which you will access via a winding and steep path on the right, well marked. If you have the strength, it will blow your mind. There are 100 km that separate Serpentine from the city.
• Ocre Pits, 110 km away, it was used by the aborigines to collect the ocher-colored dust.
• Ormiston Gorge[6], one of the largest canyons in the MacDonnell Ranges, with stunning views and a sizeable pool where you can even swim. There are many tracks in this Gorge. The most beautiful is the Pound Walk Loop which will take you all around, with a duration of about 3 hours, starting from the right of the car park. If the day is hot, opt for the Ghost Gum Walk, starting to the left of the parking lot, about 1 hour. The lookout is impressive.

What to do

The main recreational activities are related to walking in the sites listed above. In particular the trails in Ormiston Gorge are suggested.

Shopping

There are no shops or supermarkets along the MacDonnell Ranges Western. Do your shopping a Alice Springs

Where to eat

Glen Helen Resort [7](130 km from the city) has a restaurant for breakfast / lunch ($ 5 -20 $) and dinner ($ 20 -30 $). Otherwise arrange to eat at Alice Springs.

Organize drinking a Alice Springs. Bring plenty of water with you, at least 4-5 liters per day.

Where stay

The solutions are quite limited to camping in the park, predefined areas and the Glen Helen Resort.

• Glen Helen Resort. 10$-160$. The only alternative to camping. However, the Glen Helen Resort can offer a different and particular evening. 
• 'Campsites located in Ormiston and Ellery Creek ($ 3-$ 5)

It is recommended to stay in Alice Springs both for quality and lower prices.

Safety

No problem with theft or crime, of course. Just beware of possible snakes even if they are very rare in the resort. If you are camping, remember to always close the tent, so as not to find surprises at night.

How to keep in touch

Telephony

You will have the signal for the mobile phone in the places listed above, unless you are in some gorge. If you plan to venture into 4WD for several days, especially off-the-beaten path tracks, consider renting a satellite phone.

Around

Excursions

• all day: first stop is the Simpson Gap Visitor Center for more information and track maps. The center opens at 5am. Then go directly to Ormiston Gorge, here do the Ghost Gum Walk. Picnic areas are available for lunch. On the way back stop at Serpentine Gorge, where you will have an exceptional view of the east side of the MacDonnell Ranges. Next stop is Ellery Creek Big Hole for a refreshment and swim in the pond. Last stop in Simpsons Gap, probably in the late afternoon, when you can see kangaroos popping up from the red rocks. In total about 300 km starting and returning in Alice Springs.
• half day: limit your visit to Simpsons Gap is Standley Chasm. In total about 130 km starting and returning in Alice Springs.

Usable : the article respects the characteristics of a draft but also contains information on how to get there and on the main attractions or activities to be carried out.