Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park

Tjoritja, also known as the West MacDonnell National Park, stretches for 161 km west of Alice Springs and showcases the grandeur of the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja is the Arrernte name for the range). It’s a landscape of parallel quartzite ridges, serrated peaks and gaps that shelter permanent waterholes – a crucial refuge for wildlife and people in the desert. A string of spectacular chasms and gorges are easily accessible from the sealed Namatjira Drive and are the main attractions: Simpson’s Gap (Rungutjirpa), only 18 km from town, features a creek cutting between towering cliffs and often black-footed rock wallabies can be spotted on the ledges. Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye) at midday glows fiery orange as the sun lights up its narrow walls. Ellery Creek Big Hole is a deep, cold billabong framed by high cliffs – a popular swimming spot. Further west, Ormiston Gorge impresses with its massive orange walls and a near-permanent waterhole reflecting ghost gums (the Ghost Gum Walk and Ormiston Pound Walk are fantastic half-day hikes). Glen Helen Gorge, at the park’s western end, has a beautiful waterhole beneath sandstone bluffs; near here the Finke River emerges from the ranges. Culturally, many of these places are significant to the Arrernte and have Dreaming stories associated with them. The park also contains lesser-known gems like Redbank Gorge (secluded and great for a float in its narrow pool) and Serpentine Gorge, plus viewpoints like Mt Sonder Lookout offering sweeping panoramas. For bushwalkers, the internationally acclaimed Larapinta Trail traverses the park along 223 km of ridge lines and valleys, with campsites en route and highlights like the summit of Mt Sonder (Rwetyepme) (1,380 m) at trail’s end, rewarding hikers with sunrise vistas. The West Macs are also rich in unique flora and fauna; you might spot rare Central Rock Rats on high slopes or see ancient cycads clinging to gorge walls. Facilities in the park range from picnic areas with shelters, barbecues and toilets at main sites to more basic campgrounds (some with water, some without). Whether one explores it in day trips or on a multi-day trek, Tjoritja offers an unforgettable immersion into Central Australia’s rugged beauty – from cool swims in gleaming waterholes to nights under a star-crammed sky, ringed by silhouetted ranges. It’s truly the backyard treasure of Alice Springs and one of the most breathtaking national parks in the Territory:contentReference[oaicite:142]{index=142}.