Ochre Pits, MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs, Australia
Ochre Pits. MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia 2011
The Ochre Pits are a popular tourist destination in Australia's Northern Territory, approximately 100 kilometres west of Alice Springs along the Larapinta Trail. The pits consist of several layers of multi-coloured, layered rock that was traditionally used by Australian Aborigines in ceremonies and played an important role in the continent's economy, being traded with neighbouring clans and countries,[1] in every direction on the continent.
The mine belongs to the Western Arrernte people. Prior to European settlement of the area in 1880, only certain men were qualified to collect the ochre. It was considered some of the choicest ochre - soft to touch, vivid, with a slight sheen to it. The colours range from gold to crimson. After the ochre was mined by the Western Arrernte, it was ground and mixed with Emu fat for ceremonial body adornment.
Ochre Pits. MacDonnell Range, Alice Springs.
Alice Springs, Australia West MacDonnell Ranges #21 Ochre Pits 27 Jan 2016
Alice Springs, Australia West MacDonnell Ranges #19 Ochre Pits 27 Jan 2016
Ochre Pits in Central Australia - drone footage
Alice Springs, Australia West MacDonnell Ranges #20 Ochre Pits 27 Jan 2016
Larapinta Trail [Section9] Central Australia: Ochre Pits To Ormiston Gorge -A Walk On The Wild Side
Vids/stills with maps/direction markers/wildlife & other notes. 2 day 30km walk. Hi res so watch in HD full screen. You may like: Lake Which Thought It Was Sky
More details at:
We show you the route on Google Earth maps. Each vid/still has a travel marker showing the direction to Ormiston Gorge - also a short commentary on plants, bird calls & other observations. See
Additional Notes For: Central Australia Larapinta Trail [Section9]: Ochre Pits To Ormiston Gorge -A Walk On The Wild Side
Dates of Travel: 18th and 19th of April 2014
Going for a hike or trek.... going on a walking holiday. Exploring? Make sure to go to the Parks And Wild Life NT (Northern Territory) web site to check out the information on the Larapinta Trail. If you want you can travel all the way from Alice Springs along the West MacDonnell Ranges to Mount Sonder. (Mount Zeil -- the highest mountain in the Northern Territory is a bit further West).
Trekking and hiking is a heap of fun. The West MacDonnell Ranges are magnificent. Especially as we have had good rain about 10 days before we went on our walk. Although there was no flowing water in any of the main creeks or rivers there was water in rock holes in the gorges. In both Inarlanga Gorge and Waterfall Gorge it was still trickling between a few rock holes.
Although we heard and saw birds we didn't see any other wild life. No raptors like eagles, kites or hawks.
Great views from the Lookout across Ormiston Pound to Mount Giles and Mount Giles Springs.
We drove West from Alice Springs along the Larapinta Drive and then, just after Jay Creek, turned right down Namatjira Drive. We left the car at Glen Helen resort where the Finke River winds through the MacDonnells about 135 kms from Alice Springs. It's about 15 kms South West of Ormiston Gorge. Ormiston Gorge is a magnificent place with a big -- almost permanent -- water hole set in front of huge red cliffs. Dramatic.
We got Colin the manager of Glen Helen to drop us off at the Ochre Pits and pick us up from Ormiston Gorge.
The Larapinta Trail starts from Alice Springs Telegraph Station
Section 1
Alice Springs Telegraph Station to Simpsons Gap
Section 2
Simpsons Gap to Jay Creek
Section 2
Simpsons Gap to Jay Creek
Section 4
Standley Chasm to Birthday Waterhole
Section 5
Birthday Waterhole to Hugh Gorge
Section 6
Hugh Gorge to Ellery Creek Section 7
Ellery Creek to Serpentine Gorge Section 8
Serpentine Gorge to Serpentine Chalet Dam) Section 9 ***
Serpentine Chalet Dam to Ormiston Gorge or start from The Ochre Pits on the short Arrente Trail Section 10
Ormiston Gorge to Finke River Section 11
Finke River to Redbank GorgeSection 12
Redbank Gorge to Mt Sonder and back
Section 9
.....is one of the longest sections of the Larapinta Trail and offers some spectacular views. There is no reliable surface water along the way, so people contemplating this section must be prepared to carry a heavy pack with a considerable amount of drinking water. Allow
2 days to comfortably complete the walk.
Grade: HARD - a rough and narrow track with some steep and/or long climbs and descents (suitable for fit people with previous bushwalking experience).
OCHRE PITS AT LYNDHURST STH. AUSTRALIA
These views show the ochre pits near Lyndhurst in South Australia whre Aboriginal people collect ochre for ceremonial purposes.
Standley Chasm, Ormiston Gorge and Ochre Pits, West McDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory, Australia
I created this video with the YouTube Slideshow Creator (
Ormiston Gorge - Alice Springs - Australia.
Orminston Gorge - Alice Springs - Australia.
Come a watch us keep out of the heat and swim with the fish in the middle of Australia.
Uluru to Alice Springs via MacDonnell Ranges
Uluru (Ayers Rock) to Alice Springs via MacDonnell Ranges 4WD tour with Spirit Safaris. Includes Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) , Mt Connor, Kings Canyon, Gosse Bluff, Glen Helen , Ormiston Gorge, Ochre Pits, Mt Sonder, Standley Chasm, Simpsons Gap, Palm Valley, Hermmansburg, Alice Springs, with Rainbow Valley. Small group outback Australia 4WD tours with Spirit Safaris
Ochre Pits NT
Aboriginal source of paint supplies,ochre of all colours
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Glen Helen Gorge, MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs, Australia
Glen Helen Gorge, MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia 2011
Glen Helen was formally a cattle station but is now a tourist resort that caters to visitors that want to truly immerse themselves in the West Macs. Part of the former Glen Helen Station still exists, west of Redbank Gorge. The permanent waterhole at Glen Helen Gorge is home to many species of animals, including a variety of water birds and fish. Glen Helen provides a perfect base from which to explore the West Macs region. For the traditional owners of the land though this inviting swimming spot is off limits. They believe it is the home of an ancient and powerful Rainbow Serpent. The landscape around Glen Helen is as spectacular as you will find anywhere with a towering sandstone wall greeting you as you arrive. The area includes views of the much-painted Mount Sonder, which is one of the highest points in Central Australia, changing colours dramatically throughout the day.
Glen Helen Gorge. MacDonnell, Alice Springs.
MacDonnell Ranges in 4K, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Red Centre, Larapinta Trail, Ormiston Gorge, Simpsons Gap, Glen Helen Gorge, Redbank Gorge, Serpentine Gorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole, cinematic Sony FDR AX700.
#MacdonnellRanges #RedCentre #NorthernTerritory
The MacDonnell Ranges are a long series of mountains located in Australia's Red Centre consisting of parallel mountain ridges running east and West of the Alice Springs. This short cinematic video will take you on a journey through many of the spectacular gaps and gorges that form tiny oases in this harsh arid land. These little oases serve as habitat for local wildlife and have significance to Australia's first nation people the Aborigines.
Videography and sound design by Into the Wild Films.
Web: intothewildfilms.com
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Email: phil@intothewildfilms.com
If you would like to contact me regarding this video please email me at phil@intothewildfilms.com
Ochre Pits - Oodnadatta - Track
The Ochre pits are approximately 5 Kilometers north of the township Lyndhurst in South Australia.
They were an important meeting and trading point for aboriginal people of the area.
These ochre pits are a sacred aboriginal site of high significance.
Trephina Gorge, MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs, Australia
Trephina Gorge, MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia 2011
Trephina Gorge, in the East MacDonnell Ranges, is noted for its sheer quartzite cliffs and River Red Gum lined watercourses.
Two gorges dissect the range: Trephina, with its wide views and sandy creekbed, and John Hayes Rock Hole with steep, narrow rock walls. The Territory Government, in partnership with Traditional Owners, have finalised the Joint Management Plan for Trephina Gorge Nature Park. Joint Management Plans provide direction for the future management of a Park, and outline how the interests of the community, Traditional Owners and conservation will be served.
Trephina Gorge. MacDonnell Range, Alice Springs.
Alice Springs, Australia West MacDonnell Ranges #12 Serpentine Gorge 27 Jan 2016
Uluru to Alice Springs via MacDonnell Ranges
Uluru (Ayers Rock) to Alice Springs via MacDonnell Ranges 4WD tour with Spirit Safaris. Includes Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) , Mt Connor, Kings Canyon, Goss Bluff, Glen Helen , Ormiston Gorge, Ochre Pits, Mt Sonder, Standley Chasm, Simpsons Gap, Palm Valley, Hermmansburg, Alice Springs, with Rainbow Valley. Small group outback Australia 4WD tours with Spirit Safaris