One Day Expeditions
Our tours are designed for individual small groups so we have the flexibility to cater for extended travel into remote regions, special requests or special interest travel.
Contact John to discuss a custom itinerary today and create your own adventure.
Tjoritja / West Mac Donnell Ranges National Park
A trip to Central Australia really must include a visit to Tjoritja. These ancient ranges date back 300-350 million years. The gaps, gorges and chasms created where rainfall originating in the north has carved a path toward Lake Ayer. These shady spots often sheltering cool permanent waterholes offer a refuge from the normally dry surrounds.
We take you on a path to show you some of the most spectacular sites within the National Park. Some well know, other a bit of a local secret. Pack your swimmers and sense of adventure and we’ll cover the rest.
Highlights:
Simpsons Gap
Standley Chasm
Ellery Creek Big Hole
The Ochre Pits
Ormiston Gorge
Mount Sonder Lookout
Palm Valley / Ntaria (Hermannsburg)
Very different to the hard, edgy quartzite ranges surrounding Alice Springs (Mbantua), the
sandstone James Ranges are softer in appearance. The Finke River, considered to be the
oldest river course in the world following its original path. The rivers have cut a very
impressing gorge through the ranges exposing rich, red cliffs. Often compared by guests to
sites in Utah, there are a number of walking options within the park. The stand out is Palm
Valley, famous for its ancient palms that have survived due to the permanent water that
seeps from the sandstone cliffs.
We also visit the historic Hermannsburg Precinct in Ntaria, where Lutheran missionaries
from Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills established a mission in 1877. With its rich history, it was
also the birthplace of Albert Namatjira, one of Australia’s most famous painters, who forged
a path not only for Aboriginal artists, but Aboriginal Rights in a similar way to Vincent Lingiari
and Eddie Mabo.
East MacDonnell National Park
Lesser known than ‘West Mac’s’, The East MacDonnell Ranges (‘East Mac’s’) are no less
spectacular. The petroglyph’s in N’dhala Gorge are some of the best preserved examples in
Central Australia, capturing many stories by their artists thousands of years ago. There is
also a rich European history. Gold was discovered shortly after the establishment of the
Telegraph Station in 1871 at a place called Arltunga, which created a gold rush. Arltunga
became Central Australia’s first township.
On the way back to Alice, we stop at one of the regions most beautiful gorges, Trephine
Gorge, as well as Emily and Jessie gap.
Chambers Pillar / Rainbow Valley Sunset
This journey takes us around the edge of the Simpson Desert, through some of the area’s
largest cattle stations. We drop in at the Ewaninga Rock Carvings where cultural life around
a clay pan has left us with well preserved petroglyphs. It’s then on Titjikala to visit the art
gallery.
We follow the normally dry Hugh River before getting to Chambers Pillar. It holds a very important creation story, and also acted as a navigational icon for explorers and
travelers from as early as the 1800’s. Some have left their marks on the sandstone pillar.
There is an option to extend the day tour to come home via Rainbow Valley, another striking
sandstone feature that holds many of the local ochre colours. It is extremely striking at sunset as the cliff faces west, the colours illuminating as the sun lowers. We provide sunset drinks and canapes just to polish off this exceptional experience.
