Guide To The West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja), Alice Springs

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One of the things I learned on our road trip around Australia was that you should always allow yourself to be surprised, which is how I felt when I visited the West MacDonnell Ranges in Alice Springs.

Located in the West MacDonnell National Park, or Tjoritja as it’s known to its traditional owners, is a vast region of incredible rock formations, canyons and creeks, viewpoints and hikes, and many scenic drives.

While many people visit Alice Springs to visit Uluru and see Ayres Rock, there are so many things to do in the West MacDonnell Ranges, it should not be skipped.

In this guide, I share with you what to do in this incredible national park and how you can visit it.

Where Are The West MacDonnell Ranges?

Did you know that the West MacDonnells was on the doorstep of Alice? I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t.

I thought Alice Springs was in the middle of the desert, which I pictured as being flat and vast.

Alice actually sits in the gap between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, a 622km series of ancient mountains sculptured by climatic conditions.

This means Alice Springs is set in a very picturesque area offering tourists a wide variety of things to see and do.

Things to Do in the West MacDonnell Ranges

Below I have shared with you some of the top things to do in the West MacDonnell Ranges, the road is all sealed from Alice and there are plenty of facilities.

1. Walk the Larapinta Trail (or some of it)

For the real adventurous, you can explore it on foot via the famous Larapinta Trail, which stretches 223 km along the backbone of the MacDonnell Ranges.

After reading Cheryl Strayed’s novel “Wild”, I’m kinda keen to do it (in the winter time!)

Or if you’re not a hiker, you can drive it along the Larapinta Drive

The West MacDonnell Ranges show off its obvious beauty best during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset when the colour of the rocks change from pink to red to orange.

But dive a little deeper into its gorge walls and gaps and you’ll discover fabulous waterholes, ochre pits, and dry creek bed walks.

2. Visit Glen Helen Gorge

The permanent…