It doesn’t matter if you are travelling from Ayers Rock,
Adelaide, Darwin or Tennant Creek, all roads lead to Alice
Springs…and with two majestic ranges on either side it is so
worth exploring the wilderness just outside the city. Only
one hundred kilometres to the east from Alice are the
breathtaking Eastern MacDonnell Ranges. Although not as
well known as the ranges to the West, they offer incredible
walks, magnificent views and a diversity you will find hard
to match. The natural gorges are the drawcard to this
rugged wilderness, with Ruby, Trephina and Ndhala Gorges all
equally spectacular, and plenty of incredible landmarks
accessible by campervan.
If you would prefer to base yourself in Alice, the
MacDonnell Range Holiday Park is one of the best you will
find, with every convenience and extra facility to make your
holiday even more relaxing. Just a few kilometres out of
town, there are playgrounds, bike tracks, go carts, swimming
pools, games room and spacious grounds so you can get
settled in style before you start exploring.
To get to the East MacDonnell Ranges, head south from Alice
Springs and turn into the Ross Highway. There are enough
signs along the way, as well as a few nature parks well
worth a visit.
Starting with Trephina Gorge Nature Park, you could spend a
good week here exploring the winding creeks, clear
waterholes and panoramic lookouts. Eagles dominate the
skyline, and there is plenty of wildlife for nature lovers.
It would be easy to feel like you had already experienced
the diversity of the ranges with so much to offer in this
gorge alone. It is one of the most popular of the gorges,
being the nearest to civilisation, with five beautiful walks
suitable for most fitness levels ranging from under an hour
to over six hours.
One of the most popular destinations for many travellers to
this remote spot in the Territory is Ross River Resort, the
ideal base for all your adventures, or a chance to unwind
with the eagles and wilderness for company. Along with cosy
log cabins, there is a fantastic caravan park which is ideal
for a night or two in rich outback territory. For the
adventurous there is camel riding and horse riding
available, or for those who would prefer to keep their feet
on the ground, fossicking for gold is an enjoyable past time
as this area.
Head another fifteen kilometres into the ranges and you will
reach N’Dhala Gorge Nature Park. This is perfect for lovers
of aboriginal history, with rock carvings everywhere you
look within the walls of the gorges. This area is mostly
accessible but some roads require a four wheel drive.
Another popular camping spot is the Gemtree Caravan Park.
With lush grounds and plenty of room to move, it’s a great
place to set up camp and enjoy nature at its best. Take
another fossicking tour, or enjoy a campfire and billy tea.
There is even a golf course for those who feel like a hit.
Ruby Gap Nature Park is another forty kilometres away, and
only accessible by four wheel drive. It is worth the trek,
if you can get there, and an overnight camping experience
here is one of life’s pleasures you would find hard to beat
as this region is one of the most beautiful in the Northern
Territory.
The East MacDonnell Ranges is the ultimate oasis in the
desert. Although often compared to the popular Western
MacDonnell Ranges, it is appealing that there are not as
many tourists and more locals. The scenery is rugged and
magnificent, and if you are looking for adventure and
wildlife at its best than this is one place you need to find
yourself.
A Northern Territory adventure couldn’t be easier to
organise, with our campervans available for pick up and drop
off in Darwin or Alice Springs. The freedom to come and go
as you please makes a campervan adventure one of the most
enjoyable ways to travel. And the East MacDonnell Ranges
have never looked better.
Jenny Brewer
