Australian Wilderness Adventures: Episode 012 - Tjoritja/West Macdonnell National Park
Episode 012 of Australian Wilderness Adventures, taking in Ormiston Gorge, the Ochre Pits, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap in Tjoritja/West Macdonnell National Park in the Northern Territory, Australia.
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 #20 Ochre Pits 27 Jan 2016
Alice Springs, Australia West MacDonnell Ranges #21 Ochre Pits 27 Jan 2016
Ochre Pits in Central Australia - drone footage
West Macdonnell Ranges to Kings Canyon - Ep.24
WEST MACDONNELL RANGES, DOWN TO KINGS CANYON! ⛰????????
+ we found our favourite gorge on the trip so far! ????
Finally made it into Alice, where we went and set up camp for 3 nights at the Gap hotel. We used our 3 days / 3 nights for RnR, restocking, catching up on social media and just preparing for our next leg out to the West Macdonnell ranges! With all the pre flight ✈️✅ checks completed and full restocked we started our next leg!
Our first stop was Simpsons Gap! Only a short walk from the carpark and a small gorge, but it was beautiful! There wasn't enough water ???? for a swim (at the time of our visit), but you could still dip your feet in to cool off. Point Howard Lookout, was our next stop. We pulled over here for a bite for lunch and so rusty could stretch her legs. You can actually free camp here, we could of only imagined what the views would of looked like at sunset. We had a one more spot we wanted to check out before the days end, so we continued on....
Ochre pits were our next stop ????. Again, only a short walk but great to see and read about. The different colours of ochre in the rocks were crazy to see. After our visit to the ochre pits, we decided it was time to find somewhere to set up camp. We drove into the Glen Helen Homestead to check it out and ask for a spot. They were having major IT issues and all their computers were down, so they weren't checking anyone in as they didn't know what sites they had free. They told us to go up the road and camp at the Finke river, which we did. ????
Their loss was our gain, as this camp spot was magical! Who knew in the middle of Australia there was this mini oasis! White sand, a clear river surrounded by greenery and it was FREE. The sunsets were ridiculous! We set up for 2 nights as we explored a bit more of the surrounds. We trekked back to Ormiston Gorge and completed the 'pound walk'. The scenery was breathtaking and at the end of our loop we took a dip in the refreshing gorge ????????♀️. There were lots of families here at our time of visit and we could see why. A large volume of water, sandy beach surrounds and with a campground onsite and a shop it had it all.
Next day we packed up and continued the journey. Our next stop, was when we found our favourite gorge of the trip so far! Redbank gorge - put it on your list now! ????????♂️That place was incredible! Only a short 20 minute stroll to get to the gorge and once we got there, we were in awe. Do yourself a favour and swim down the narrow opening, you won't be disappointed at what you'll see. ????????
After our refreshing swim, we let our tyres down and jumped on the dirt permit road.
Just after lunch we arrived at 'goosebluff' - a crater impact site! Millions of years ago, a crater crashed to earth and left a massive destruction zone with a 5km radius! Be sure to climb up the small mountain to look out at the crater. ????
We piled back into the nav and continued on to our next camp. The Kings Canyon free camp, located 25km north of Kings Canyon itself. ????You can set up camp, on the edge of the mountain and have wonderful views of the canyon in the distance! We were lucky enough to have this spot all to ourselves for the night!
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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).
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.
Ormiston Gorge, MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs, Australia
Ormiston Gorge, MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs, Northern Territory , Australia 2011
Ormiston Gorge offers visitors all the spectacular geology and landforms of the MacDonnell Ranges. The rugged scenery of the the Gorge is complemented by a near-permanent water hole. The water and the shelter of the rocks attract an interesting variety of native fauna and flora, including a number of relict plant species. The recent rediscoveries of the Long-tailed Dunnart and the Central Rock Rat in the Ormiston Gorge vicinity demonstrate what an important role the Park plays as a fauna refuge. Ormiston Gorge is also home to a major ranger station. There are wonderful opportunities to swim here plus there are full tourist facilities including an information centre.
Ormiston Gorge. MacDonnell Range, 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
Instagram: instagram.com/into_the_wild_films/
Facebook: facebook.com/intothewildfilms/
Email: phil@intothewildfilms.com
If you would like to contact me regarding this video please email me at phil@intothewildfilms.com
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.
Serpentine Gorge, West MacDonnell National Park
Looking for a REAL outback secret? Then check out this little known gorge in the West MacDonnell National Park with us
Alice Springs, Australia West MacDonnell Ranges #6 Standly Chasm Angkerle 27 Jan 2016
West MacDonnell National Park
This is my video of the West MacDonnell National Park in Central Australia where I live.
Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge, In the wet, Ellery Creek, Mt Sonder Lookout, the Wildlife and the storms! Enjoy
Video 285-Namatjira Drive - Glen Helen to the Ochre Pits
DashCam video of Stuart Highway. This provides you with the ability to virtually drive in the Australian outback. This video takes you on a 21km drive from Glene Helen Resort to the Ochre Pits. Includes photos.
Interesting Sections:
- Back on Namatjira Drive 01:23
- Ochre Pit T/O 15:40
- Arrival and photos 16:30
Alice Springs, Australia West MacDonnell Ranges #11 Serpentine Gorge 27 Jan 2016
Alice Springs, Australia West MacDonnell Ranges #13 Serpentine Gorge 27 Jan 2016
Emily Gap, MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs, Australia
Emily Gap, MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia 2011
Yeperenye Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park are the first noticeable features of the East MacDonnell Ranges as you drive 10 kilometres out of Alice Springs. Pack a picnic, watch the local wildlife, or follow a short walking track into both gaps. At Emily Gap you can see a large rock painting depicting the caterpillar dreaming. The two small gaps in the Heavitree Range are important spiritual sites to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people. Many places in the surrounding landscape are associated with the same caterpillar Dreamtime story, and form a 'Dreaming Trail'. Emily Gap is a significant sacred site where the caterpillar beings of Mparntwe (Alice Springs) originated. These caterpillars formed Emily Gap and many of the topographic features around Alice Springs, then radiated out to the edge of the Simpson Desert. The first European sighting of Emily and Jessie Gap was in 1871. It was thought that the names Emily and Jessie were chosen after the daughters of Sir Charles Todd, but this was found to be untrue. The basis on which the names are derived is unknown. The East MacDonnell Ranges Park is an easy 15-minute drive along the sealed Ross Highway.
Emily Gap. MacDonnell Range, Alice Springs.
Standley Chasm, Ormiston Gorge and Ochre Pits, West McDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory, Australia
I created this video with the YouTube Slideshow Creator (
Red Centre from the air
The official channel of Australian Geographic magazine.
Australian Geographic photographer Andrew Gregory takes his Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), also known as a drone, along the Red Centre Way – a series of connecting roads between Alice Springs and the West MacDonnell Ranges in the north, and Uluru in the south. On the way he captured footage of the landscapes in and around Glen Helen Gorge, Tnorala and Kings Canyon.
Read the story behind – and see more stunning photos from – Andrew Gregory's drone assignment in the Jan-Feb 2016 (#130) print edition of Australian Geographic.
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