Alice Springs travel guide: what to do in three days

This Alice Springs travel guide gives you a simple three day plan. Spend one day in and around town, one day at Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm, and one day further out at Ormiston Gorge. We suggest hiring a car or joining a tour.

Day one: the Telegraph Station and the Desert Park

The Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve is 4 km north of town, along Herbert Heritage Drive off the Stuart Highway. The Northern Territory's Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) says it marks the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. The station was established in 1872 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide. The Commission calls it the best preserved of the twelve stations along the Overland Telegraph Line.

The station operated for 60 years. After that, its buildings served as a school and 'the Bungalow' for Aboriginal children. The site was protected as a Historical Reserve in 1963, and a number of stone buildings have been restored. They hold furnishings and artefacts from the early 1900s. An entry fee, which includes a brochure and a guided tour, is payable for access to the buildings in the Historical Precinct (free for locals). The rest of the Reserve is free.

Spend the afternoon at the Alice Springs Desert Park, about a 10 minute journey from the centre of town. The Directory of Australian Botanic Gardens lists it as established in 1997. The entry, updated in 2007, gives 1,300 hectares, with a 52 hectare core area. The park says you can discover many of the secrets of the Central Australian deserts in just a few hours. It describes an easy walking trail through three desert habitats: Desert Rivers, Sand Country and Woodland. It also says you can see rare and endangered animals in its Nocturnal House. At the Nature Theatre, the park says, you can watch free-flying birds of prey and other animals show their natural behaviours at 10.00am and 3.30pm daily.

Sources for this section: Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory (PWCNT), Telegraph Station fact sheet; Alice Springs Desert Park website; Directory of Australian Botanic Gardens.

Day two: Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm

The turn-off to Simpsons Gap is 18 km west of Alice Springs along Larapinta Drive. The visitor centre is 1 km past it, and the Gap is a further 6 km drive. The Commission calls it one of the most prominent gaps in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Its Arrernte name is Rungutjirpa, and the area is an important spiritual site to the Arrernte people, where several dreaming trails and stories cross.

At dawn and dusk the Gap is renowned as a place to see black-footed rock-wallabies along the short walking track into it. Swimming is prohibited at Simpsons Gap. For a short walk, try the Ghost Gum Walk, which starts at the visitor centre and takes 15 minutes return.

Standley Chasm, called Angkerle by Aboriginal people, is the next stop, 50 km from town by sealed road. The chasm's website says it is at its most dramatic an hour either side of noon on a sunny day. Then the sheer walls glow from reflected sunlight. If the day is sunny, aim to be at the chasm between 11am and 1pm. The walk from the car park takes 20 minutes one way. It is rough in parts, but most active visitors will find it quite easy, and sensible shoes are needed. The chasm is in a private reserve owned by the Iwupataka Land Trust.

Sources for this section: PWCNT, Simpsons Gap fact sheet; Northern Territory Government, West MacDonnell National Park page; Standley Chasm website.

Day three: Ormiston Gorge and the far west

On day three, drive deeper into the West MacDonnell National Park. Ormiston Gorge is 135 km west of Alice Springs, by way of Larapinta and Namatjira Drives. That is the longest drive of the three days, so start early. The Commission says sealed roads give conventional vehicles access to the Gorge. It also says all roads can be impassable for a short period after heavy rain.

The Gorge has a near-permanent waterhole, 500 metres from the Visitor Centre. The Commission warns swimmers that most water holes are extremely cold. Swim only where recommended, and do not jump, dive or swing into the water. The 5 minute Waterhole walk and the 20 minute (one way) Ghost Gum Lookout walk are the most popular with visitors. The 3 to 4 hour Ormiston Pound walk is a full circuit from the Visitor Centre.

If you have more time, the park also has places such as Ellery Creek Big Hole, Serpentine Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge, the Ochre Pits and Redbank Gorge.

The 223 km Larapinta Trail runs through the park, and its first section starts at the Telegraph Station. The Commission says its extended and overnight walks are for fit, experienced and well prepared walkers. The park also has numerous marked tracks, from leisurely to adventurous.

Sources for this section: PWCNT, Ormiston Gorge fact sheet, West MacDonnell National Park fact sheet and Telegraph Station fact sheet; Northern Territory Government, West MacDonnell National Park page.

Plan well and stay safe

• Water: carry and drink plenty of water. Drinking water at Ormiston Gorge is limited.
• Sun and heat: the Commission lists a shady hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and suitable clothing and footwear. It also says to avoid strenuous activity during the heat of the day.
• Your plan: tell a reliable person your route and plans. Make sure they know to contact police if you do not return by the arranged date.
• Timing: the park fact sheet says the cooler months, April to September, are the most pleasant.

The Commission asks visitors to consider their health and fitness when choosing a walk. This guide is general information, not medical advice.

Sources for this section: PWCNT, West MacDonnell National Park fact sheet, and Ormiston Gorge fact sheet.

How to use the three days

If you have only two days, do days one and two, and skip the far west. If you have four, add Ellery Creek Big Hole and Serpentine Gorge.

Sources

1. Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory (PWCNT), Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve fact sheet: archived PDF
2. PWCNT, West MacDonnell National Park fact sheet: archived PDF
3. Northern Territory Government, West MacDonnell National Park page: archived page
4. PWCNT, Simpsons Gap fact sheet: archived PDF
5. PWCNT, Ormiston Gorge and Pound fact sheet: archived PDF
6. Standley Chasm website, Standley Chasm (Angkerle): archived page
7. Alice Springs Desert Park, Welcome: archived page
8. Alice Springs Desert Park, Park Information: archived page
9. Alice Springs Desert Park, Nature Theatre: archived page
10. Directory of Australian Botanic Gardens, Alice Springs Desert Park: archived page