Mini-Coach Day Tour, Lunch Included

West MacDonnell Ranges Day Tour With Lunch From Alice Springs

★ 4.9 35 reviews

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Duration: About 10.5 hours
Meeting point: Alice Springs hotel pickup
Meals: Lunch included (listing)
Run by: Wildlife Tours Australia

Overview

A full day out from Alice Springs covers the West MacDonnell Ranges, or Tjoritja as its traditional custodians know it, in a single loop of roughly 310 kilometres of driving. You travel in an air-conditioned mini-coach with an accredited outback driver guide and stop at Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole, the Ochre Pits, Glen Helen and Ormiston Gorge before returning to town. The whole outing runs about 10.5 hours. Lunch and snacks are part of the package, and the entry fee for Standley Chasm is covered. A NT Parks day pass for Tjoritja is not, so you need to buy that separately through the Parks NT website.

The pace is genuine walking, not viewpoint hopping. Guided bush walks total roughly three to four kilometres depending on the group's fitness, and the operator asks for at least a moderate level of fitness and mobility. Ellery Creek Big Hole is one of Central Australia's best known waterholes and swimming is a highlight, so packing swimwear and a towel pays off. Reviewers frequently describe their guides as knowledgeable. It suits travellers who want depth and variety in one long day, and who can manage the walks involved.

10.5 hoursWhole outing duration

80 metresStandley Chasm gorge height

24 hoursCancellation cutoff for full refund

Children from 6 to 17 can join with an adult, but the tour is not suitable for those aged 5 or under, nor for mobility-impaired travellers using wheelchairs, walkers or strollers. The operator can adjust the itinerary for seasonal weather, park closures or ceremonies held by traditional custodians, and if a core stop is dropped or replaced you are entitled to a full refund or a reschedule where available.

DurationAbout 10.5 hours

Rating4.9 from 35 reviews

What's Included

Included

Lunch and snacks
Standley Chasm entry fees included
Guided bush walks (3-4km, subject to fitness level)
Australian flora and fauna sightings
Hosted by an accredited outback driver guide
Air-conditioned mini-coach travel
Detailed local tour commentary
Selected Alice Springs inner-city pick-up/drop-off points
Translation app available in several different languages

Not Included

NT Parks Day Pass Required: Entry into Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park for day trips
Any meals not indicated on the itinerary
Personal travel insurance is highly recommended
Spending money

Run byWildlife Tours Australia

Itinerary

Meet at Alice Springs HotelThe tour starts from Alice Springs Hotel, 11 Leichhardt Terrace. Selected inner-city pick-up and drop-off points are listed among the inclusions.
Simpsons GapFirst stop is Simpsons Gap, rich in Aboriginal dreaming stories, where a permanent waterhole draws wildlife.
Standley ChasmAlso called Angkerle Atwatye, or Gap of Water, a narrow gorge about three metres wide and 80 metres high. Entry fees are included. Watch for native wildlife.
Ellery Creek Big HoleKnown as Udepata, this waterhole sits below red cliffs and sandy shores, and swimming is a highlight.
Ochre PitsA stop at the UNESCO-listed Ochre Pits, where ochre clay is still gathered for ceremonies.
Glen Helen and Ormiston GorgeThe run west takes in Glen Helen, then Ormiston Gorge, or Kwartatuma, with towering red rock walls before the drive back to Alice Springs.

Town ShuttleIncluded

GuideIncluded

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day goes, from footwear to fitness to food.

Walking and fitness. Guided bush walks cover about three to four kilometres, adjusted to the group's fitness level. The operator requires a minimum moderate level of fitness and mobility. Reviewers describe the day as varied, with plenty of stops along the ranges.
What to bring. The listing recommends comfortable walking or hiking shoes, swimwear, a towel, a sun hat, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle and a daypack. A camera is worth packing, since one reviewer credited the guide's local knowledge for great bird photos.
Swimming. Ellery Creek Big Hole is one of Central Australia's top waterholes and the tour builds in time to cool off. One reviewer called the swimming opportunities the nicest part of the day, so bring swimwear and a towel.
Food and drink. Lunch and snacks are included. If you have special dietary requirements, the operator suggests bringing your own snacks, as options are limited in the outback.
The group feel. One reviewer said the tour felt like a road trip with friends even though the passengers had just met. Across the reviews, guides are repeatedly described as knowledgeable and enthusiastic.
Book with details. You must supply date of birth, food allergies and a contact phone number at booking, and notify the operator of any medical conditions. A translation app is available in several languages for non-English speakers.

Rating4.9 from 35 reviews

AvailabilityCheck availability →

Common issues. This is a long day, about 10.5 hours all up, and one reviewer noted the length even while enjoying it. A NT Parks day pass for Tjoritja is not in the price and must be bought separately. The tour is not suitable for mobility-impaired travellers or children aged 5 and under, and oversize luggage, strollers and non-folding wheelchairs are not allowed. The operator may change the itinerary for seasonal weather or closures for ceremonies by traditional custodians, though a removed or replaced core stop entitles travellers to a full refund or a reschedule where available.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Tour Price?

Lunch and snacks, Standley Chasm entry fees, guided bush walks, air-conditioned mini-coach travel, an accredited driver guide and local commentary, plus selected inner-city pick-up and drop-off points. A translation app in several languages is also available.

Do I Need To Pay Park Entry Separately?

Yes. A NT Parks day pass for Tjoritja, or West MacDonnell National Park, is required for day trips and is not included. It can be purchased online via the Parks NT website before you go.

Where Does The Tour Start?

The meeting point is Alice Springs Hotel, 11 Leichhardt Terrace, Alice Springs. The listing also includes selected inner-city pick-up and drop-off points.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children Or People With Limited Mobility?

Children aged 6 to 17 can join if accompanied by an adult or legal guardian. The tour is not suitable for children 5 or under, or for mobility-impaired travellers, including those using wheelchairs, walkers, prams or strollers. A minimum moderate fitness level is required for the walks.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If a core stop or activity is removed or replaced because of weather, closures, road issues or access restrictions, travellers are entitled to a full refund, and a reschedule may be offered where available.

What Should I Bring?

Comfortable walking or hiking shoes, swimwear and a towel for the waterhole stops, a sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera, a reusable water bottle and a daypack. Bring your own snacks if you have special dietary requirements, plus personal medication and travel insurance.