West MacDonnell Ranges

• Summary
• Weather for West MacDonnell Ranges

The West MacDonnell Ranges, running due west from Alice Springs, is an impressive Outback landscape with interesting geological features and home to an abundance of native wildlife.

Simpsons Gap is a dramatic cleft in the range in which a dry white sand riverbed is fringed with river red gums winds. Simpsons Gap can also be accessed via a 17km sealed bicycle track which begins opposite Flynn's Grave, 7km from Alice Springs along Larapinta Drive.

Standley Chasm with its vertical red walls that glow in the midday sun gives the impression of some sort of giant fracture in the rock. It contains permanent springs and unusual plant life and is a pleasant excursion on its own.

Ellery Creek Big Hole is a large permanent waterhole nestled in the ranges, a favourite swimming place for locals in the summer. The water can be freezing at other times of the year.

The Larapinta Trail winds 250 kilometres from Alice Springs through the West MacDonnell Ranges to Mount Sonder. The Trail is one of the worlds great walks and visitors not wishing to attempt the entire walk can chose sections to walk in the space of a day.

Most of the West MacDonnell Ranges key attractions are easily accessible from Alice Springs via a sealed highway as far as Glen Helen Resort. Facilities include numerous sites for camping, picnicking, BBQs, swimming, cycling, and bushwalking.