Parks And Reserves Of Central Australia

Distances shown are from Alice Springs, and areas measurements are in hectares.

Around Alice Springs

Alice Springs Desert Park: This unique Park showcases the landscapes, animals and plants of Australia's desert and their traditional use by Aboriginal people. Animals and plants are presented together in habitats, as they would appear in their natural environment along with the stories of their relationships with the people of Australia's deserts. This habitat based approach places the Park in the forefront of environmental presentations world wide.

Olive Pink Flora Reserve (16ha/1km): Central Australia is home to a surprising variety of plants, and this arid zone botanical garden, with its information centre and sign-posted walking tracks, provides an ideal opportunity to get to know some of them. The Reserve is open, with helpful staff available, seven days a week from 10 am to 6 pm. Enter from Tuncks Road, after crossing the Todd River Causeway.

Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve (570ha/5km): This Reserve protects the original settlement of Alice Springs on the banks of the Todd River, a cluster of stone building dating from 1871. Once a repeater station on the Overland Telegraph Line, the buildings have been carefully restored.

Walkers can enjoy the Reserve's natural surrounds on the 1 hour Bradshaw Walk or the long-distance Larapinta Trail which heads west through Simpsons Gap National Park. The Reserve is open every day from 8 am to 7 pm between May and September and 8 am to 9 pm in other months. Ranger-guided tours are available daily from May to September and groups of over 20 visitors may book tours in advance by phoning (08) 8952 1013.

North Of Alice Springs Via Stuart Highway

Native Gap Conservation Reserve (11ha/120km): This small Reserve is a scenic stopping place on the Stuart Highway north of Alice Springs. Here travellers can enjoy the shaded picnic area and ranges scenery.

Ryan Well Historical Reserve (2ha/129km): A deep well once used to water drovers' stock moving along the north-south stock route, and the Glen Maggie homestead ruins, are evocative reminders of our pioneering past. An interesting stop for travellers on the highway north of Alice Springs.

Central Mount Stuart Historical Reserve (0.3ha/216km): This tiny Reserve on the highway commemorates the discovery in 1860 of the centre of Australia by explorer John McDouall Stuart. Nearby mountain, Central Mount Stuart is named in his honour.

East Of Alice Springs Via Ross Highway

The highway through the East MacDonnell Ranges is sealed for the first 75 km, and the dirt road beyond that is usually very good. 4WD tracks that are unsuitable for caravans, extend from Arltunga to Ruby Gap Nature Park, and from Ross River Homestead to N'Dhala Gorge.

Emily And Jessie Gaps Nature Park (695ha/13km): These two creek-worn gaps in the MacDonnell Ranges have Aboriginal significance, and are popular local picnic spots.

Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve (7ha/48km): This small Reserve protects a rock outcrop of significance to Aborigines. A sign and short walk will help visitors to appreciate the area and most will spend about 45 minutes here.

Trephina Gorge Nature Park (1771ha/85km): Attractive MacDonnell Ranges scenery including huge River Red Gums, sandy creek beds, semi-permanent waterholes and towering bluffs guarantee an enjoyable experience. There are five marked walking tracks to explore, taking from 45 minutes to 6.5 hours to complete. Campers often use this Park as a base for day trips eastwards to Arltunga or N'Dhala Gorge. The Park's ten small campsites don't suit large caravans and as the camping area is often full from June to September, campers should be prepared to go on the 21 kilometres to the Ross River Resort.

N'Dhala Gorge Nature Park (501ha/98km): Ancient Aboriginal rock carvings are sheltered by the rugged walls of two gorges. The carvings and varied plant life can be seen on a short walk. A number of cypress-pine trees grow along the exposed slopes. Accessible to conventional vehicles, but the dirt road can be rough in places.

Arltunga Historical Reserve (5506ha/111km): Gold was first discovered in this most isolated of goldfields in 1887. You can explore the stone ruins, scattered workings, gravestones and go down into a mine (bring a torch). The police station and gaol have been restored, and a visitor centre displays the fascinating history of the area. Camping is available in a private caravan park next to the Reserve. Allow at least four hours to explore Arltunga.

Ruby Gap Nature Park (9257ha/140km): In 1886 Ruby Gap was the scene of a rush by miners seeking rubies which later proved to be worthless garnets. It is one of the beautiful gorges along the Hale River which winds through the Park, and it is accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles only. This undeveloped Park provides a special outback camping experience.

West Of Alice Springs Via Larapinta Drive

The road throught the West MacDonnell Ranges to Glen Helen is fully sealed and Larapinta Drive is sealed to within 35 km of Hermannsburg.

Larapinta Trail: An exciting long distance walking track through the spectacular West MacDonnell Ranges, and across the heart of Central Australia. Established as part of the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory's development of the world-class West MacDonnell National Park, the Trail is an extended walking track running approximately 250 kilometres along the backbone of the West MacDonnell Ranges - from Alice Springs west to Mount Sonder, Mount Razorback and beyond.

Eight sections of the Trail were opened by mid 1997 with the remaining sections to open as completed in the next two or three years. At present the Trail offers over 150 kilometres of track through this ancient and fascinating arid landscape.

John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve (0.3ha/7km): This tiny Reserve is the resting place for the ashes of the Reverend John Flynn, founder of the Flying Doctor Service and the Australian Inland Mission. The grave is on a low hill at the foot of the MacDonnell ranges with a sign detailing some of his achievements.

Simpsons Gap National Park (30950ha/18km): Steep-sided ridges, huge Ghost Gums, timbered creek flats and scenic rocky gaps make this Park an excellent introduction to the MacDonnell Ranges. Rock-wallabies are often seen here, especially in the late afternoon. The Park is best seen on foot and several walking tracks give a choice of a short or longer walk. The long-distance Larapinta Trail can be joined from here. Range guided tours are available daily. For bookings phone (08) 8955 0310. The park is open from 8 am to 9 pm daily.

Standley Chasm (50km): This spectacular Chasm owned by Aborigines of Iwupataka is a blaze of red when hit by the midday sun. A 1500 metre walk takes you from the kiosk to the Chasm and is best enjoyed early morning or afternoon when less crowded. Open 8.30 am to 4.30 pm daily. An entrance fee applies.

Ellery Creek Big Hole Nature Park (1766ha/93km): High red cliffs, a large waterhole, and a sandy creek fringed by River Red Gums make this Park one of the region's most popular swimming and picnic areas.

Serpentine Gorge Nature Park (518ha/104km): The main feature of this Park is a narrow, winding gorge which has been cut through the range. Semi-permanent waterholes block both ends of the gorge, but visitors prepared for a cold swim can get past to enjoy some beautiful scenery. This is a quiet, bus lover's Park, deliberately undeveloped, and although it is accessible by conventional vehicle, the track is rough and stony.

Ormiston Gorge And Pound National Park (4655ha/132km): Ormiston Gorge is one of the many spectacular features of the MacDonnell Ranges. In summer, its deep waterhole is a welcome relief from the heat, and in cooler times the walking tracks through scenic Ormiston Pound are popular with visitors.

There is a small general campground for tents, campervans, and caravans and a larger campground for big groups and coach tours. Drinking water supplies are unreliable, so bring plenty of water with you.

Glen Helen Gorge Nature Park (386ha/133km): Here the sandy bed of the mighty Finke River squeezes between sandstone walls at the start of its journey to the Simpson Desert. Most visitors take a 20 minute stroll down the riverbed to the Gorge and many will enjoy a swim there. This semi-permanent waterhole is important to the survival of the area's small fish. Camping isn't allowed in the Park, but accommodation, water, camping and picnic facilities are available at nearby Glen Helen Lodge.

Redbank Nature Park (1295ha/161km): Deep icy waters block this narrow cleft in the range. You can best enjoy the eerie stillness and pastel colours of the flood smoothed rock walls floating through the gorge on an air mattress. Ghost gums on steep slopes along the creek contrast with the shrubland and spinifex around the carpark. The gorge is a 25 minute walk from the carpark.

Finke Gorge National Park (46000ha/155km): Survivors from a wetter era, tall cabbage palms and other rare plants grow along several water courses cutting through the Park's dry stony hills. The few lasting waterholes along the Finke River are an important refuge for fish and waterbirds during long droughts. Vehicle access along the sandy river bed and into Palm Valley is by four-wheel-drive only, but the effort is well worthwhile. The Park quickly becomes inaccessible after heavy rain. Commercial tour operators run day trips for those without four-wheel drives.

South And South West Of Alice Springs

The Old South Road is a dirt road that leaves the sealed airport road 11 km from Alice Springs. Conventional vehicles will usually make it to Ewaninga and Maryvale Homestead (kiosk and fuel). Access from Maryvale Homestead onward is by four-wheel drive vehicles only. Return is by the same route.

Ewangina Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve (6ha/39km): This Reserve protects a collection of ancient Aboriginal rock carvings which cover the surface of low sandstone outcrops around a small claypan. Signs along a short walk explain Aboriginal use of this area and most visitors will spend 45 minutes here.

Please remember that interference with the carvings, no mater how slight, greatly increases their rate of wear. Please don't touch the fragile designs or climb over the rocks.

Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve (340ha/165km): Early travellers crossing the desolate sand ridges north of the Finke River used this prominent column of red and yellow sandstone as a landmark on their journeys through Central Australia. The Pillar's soft sandstone holds the important historic inscriptions of early explorers and pioneers. Don't try to leave your mark on the Pillar as heavy fines apply to anyone defacing this national monument.

The Stuart Highway south from Alice Springs provides initial conventional vehicle to several other significant attractions.

Rainbow Valley Nature Park (2483ha/101km): The Park's main attraction is at its best in late afternoon, when the setting sun shines directly onto stark cliffs of richly-coloured sandstone. Spreading Desert Oaks and isolated claypans are a feature of the surrounding sand plains.

Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve (16ha/147km): The reserve protects twelve meteorite craters of scientific importance, the largest being 180 metres in diameter. Signs along a short walk give the fascinating story of their creation. A convenient rest stop where most visitors will spend 45 minutes.

Illamurta Springs Conservation Reserve (130ha/193km): An historically important camp was established at this remote waterhole in 1893 in an attempt to reduce cattle killing. Closed in 1912, the ruins of buildings and yards can still be seen. With no facilities, this Reserve can only be visited by four-wheel drivers travelling the Finke River.

Watarrka National Park (72200ha/320km): The Park features beautiful Kings Canyon, part of the rugged George Gill Range. Permanent waterholes, Desert Oak woodlands, fascinating rock formations, and a variety of plants and animals provide excellent sight-seeing, photography and bushwalking. The four hour Canyon walk offers great views and an opportunity to discover many of the unusual features of the Park.

Uluru (Ayers Rock - Mt Olga) National Park (126132ha/470km): Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) are among the world's great natural wonders. Owned by the traditional Aboriginal people, there is a great deal to enjoy in this Park, including the magnificent views, photography, sunset and sunrise over the Rock and walks up and around both the rock and the Olgas. Accommodation and camping facilities are available at Yulara township beside the Park but no camping is allowed in the Park. Ranges run activities and tours in Yulara. Details are available from the Conservation Commission office at Yulara.