National park · Australia
Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park
Base in Alice Springs and drive the sealed loop: Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm in a half day, then Ormiston and Glen Helen in a full day; walk the Larapinta Trail only if you have 3+ days and a permit plan. Go April–September, start walks before 9:00.Base in Alice Springs and drive the sealed loop: Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm in a half day, then Ormiston and Glen Helen in a full day; walk the Larapinta Trail only if you have 3+ days and a permit plan. Go April–September, start walks before 9:00 AM.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,568 km² (992 sq mi)992 sq mi (2,568 km²)
approximate
Established
1992
Best months
Apr–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 2,568 km² (992 sq mi)992 sq mi (2,568 km²)
- Approximate; the park is a long, narrow strip along the range west of Alice Springs (check).
- Established
- 1992
- Best months
- Apr–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park runs west of Alice Springs along the MacDonnell Ranges: a chain of gorges, waterholes and ochre pits linked by Larapinta Drive and Namatjira Drive, both sealed as far as Glen Helen. The 223 km Larapinta Trail follows the range crest from Alice Springs to Mount Sonder. Entry to the park is free; you pay only at a few independently run sites and for camping. Beyond Glen Helen the roads turn to 4WD tracks, some needing permits.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1992.
Size and age
2,568 km² (992 sq mi)992 sq mi (2,568 km²) · national park since 1992
Approximate; the park is a long, narrow strip along the range west of Alice Springs (check).
Why go
- Gorge after gorge on one sealed road, all within a day's drive of Alice Springs.
- Swim in Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge in the cooler months.
- The Larapinta Trail is one of Australia's long-distance walks, with sections short enough for a day.
- Arrernte rock art, ochre pits and the Tjoritja name itself: this is living country, not just scenery.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- Jan40°C (104°F)+ days; walks unsafe after mid-morning104°F (40°C)+ days; walks unsafe after mid-morning
- FebHottest, wettest; roads may flood
- MarStill hot; rain can close tracks
- AprCooling; waterholes full
- MayClear, mild days
- JunCold nights, perfect walking
- JulPeak season; book Alice Springs beds
- AugDry, warm days, cold mornings
- SepWarm; wildflowers on the ridges
- OctHeating up; walk early
- NovHot; storm risk
- DecExtreme heat; flash floods possible
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock-wallabies at Simpsons GapApr–Sep · Most active in the hour before sunset. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Desert birds and honeyeaters around the waterholesApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Wildflowers on the ridgesAug–Oct · Depends on winter rain. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Feral camels and cattle near waterAll year · Keep your distance; they are not tame. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Alice Springs
Larapinta Drive west; Simpsons Gap is 18 km (11 mi), Standley Chasm about 50 km (31 mi), Ormiston Gorge about 135 km (84 mi).Larapinta Drive west; Simpsons Gap is 11 mi (18 km), Standley Chasm about 31 mi (50 km), Ormiston Gorge about 84 mi (135 km).
20 min to 2 h
From Alice Springs by bike
Sealed 17 km (11 mi) shared path to Simpsons Gap, starting opposite Flynn's Grave on Larapinta Drive.Sealed 11 mi (17 km) shared path to Simpsons Gap, starting opposite Flynn's Grave on Larapinta Drive.
1–1.5 h
From Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon)
Red Centre Way via the Mereenie Loop; unsealed, 4WD recommended, permit needed for part of the route.
3–4 h
From Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa
Long drive via the Lasseter and Red Centre Way; usually done as a multi-day loop, not a day trip.
6–8 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern gorges (Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm) | Closest to Alice Springs; short walks, a permanent waterhole and a narrow chasm. | Sealed road; Standley Chasm charges its own entry. |
| Central gorges (Ellery Creek, Serpentine, Ochre Pits, Ormiston) | The swimming holes and the best day walks, on Namatjira Drive. | Sealed; camping at Ellery Creek and Ormiston. |
| Glen Helen and the west | End of the sealed road; gorge, resort and the start of the 4WD country. | Sealed to Glen Helen; permits and 4WD beyond. |
| Larapinta Trail corridor | The range crest and its campsites, walked in 12 sections. | Walk-in; campsites booked in advance. |
Sketch map
- 1Alice Springs · Town≈-23.698, 133.881Map ↗
- 2Simpsons Gap · Gate≈-23.679, 133.718Map ↗
- 3Standley Chasm · Cave≈-23.722, 133.467Map ↗
- 4Ellery Creek Big Hole · Beach≈-23.789, 133.074Map ↗
- 5Ormiston Gorge · Trail≈-23.629, 132.732Map ↗
- 6Glen Helen Gorge · Headquarters≈-23.686, 132.673Map ↗
- 7Mount Sonder · Summit≈-23.583, 132.583Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along Larapinta and Namatjira Drives, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entry fee for the national park itself. |
| Standley Chasm (privately run, outside the park boundary) | AUD 12–15 (≈ US$8–10) | person | 2026 estimate; check current price at the gate. |
| Camping (Ormiston Gorge, Ellery Creek, Redbank Gorge) | AUD 6–10 (≈ US$4–7) | person per night | 2026 estimate; self-register or pay on site (check). |
| Larapinta Trail camping | Free | person per night | Trail campsites are free but must be booked through the NT parks system (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Larapinta Trail campsites permit or guide
4WD tracks west of Glen Helen (Redbank, Roma Gorge, Tnorala/Gosse Bluff) permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$12–15≈ US$8–10
- A$6–10≈ US$4–7
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NT Government — Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Water
- Carry at least 3 L per person per walk; waterholes are not treated drinking water and taps are rare outside Glen Helen.
- Heat
- Do not start long walks after 9:00 from October to March; rangers close tracks in extreme heat.Do not start long walks after 9:00 AM from October to March; rangers close tracks in extreme heat.
- Sacred sites
- Some areas, including Tnorala (Gosse Bluff), are registered sacred ground; stay on marked routes and follow signs.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites; no camping at Tnorala and no campfires on total fire ban days.
- Drones
- Not allowed in NT national parks without a permit (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Alice Springs
The practical base: hotels, hostels and tour pick-ups, 20 min to 2 h from the gorges.
In the park
Glen Helen campground and lodge
The only food and fuel at the western end of the sealed road.
In the park
Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Creek campsites
Basic sites with toilets; self-register and pay (check).
Safety
Heat exhaustion on gorge walks high
Flash floods medium
Remote roads west of Glen Helen high
Swimming in cold waterholes medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Simpsons Gap, Ellery Creek and Ormiston Gorge have car parks and short, firm paths to viewpoints.
- Ormiston Gorge has a viewing platform suitable for wheelchairs; the Pound Walk is rough and steep.
- Standley Chasm's main path is short but uneven in places.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked tracks; the range's vegetation is slow to recover.
- Take all rubbish out; bins are limited outside Alice Springs.
- Use the waterhole facilities rather than soap or sunscreen in the water.
- Buy fuel and food in Alice Springs or at Glen Helen so remote services stay viable.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park?
Nothing. There is no entry fee for the national park. You pay separately at Standley Chasm, which is privately run, and for camping at sites such as Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Creek (about A$6–10 per person per night, 2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park?
For a half day, the Ormiston Gorge Pound Walk (7–8 km, moderate). For something shorter, Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm are easy walks from the car park. For a full day or more, walk Section 1 of the Larapinta Trail from Alice Springs to Simpsons Gap, or climb Mount Sonder at the western end.
When is the best time to visit Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park?
April to September. Days are mild, nights cold, and waterholes hold water. December to February is too hot for walking and flash floods can close roads at any time of year.
Do I need a 4WD?
No for the main gorges: Larapinta Drive and Namatjira Drive are sealed as far as Glen Helen. Yes for anything beyond, including Redbank Gorge, Roma Gorge and the Red Centre Way to Kings Canyon, and some routes need a permit.
Can I swim in the waterholes?
Yes at Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge, but the water is cold even in summer. Never swim alone, and do not swim after heavy rain when the water is murky and fast.
How far is the park from Alice Springs?
Simpsons Gap is about 18 km (20 min); Ormiston Gorge is about 135 km (1.5–2 h) on sealed roads. Glen Helen is the end of the sealed road.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNT Government — Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park
- officialNT Government — Larapinta Trail
- officialParks Australia — Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
- secondaryWikipedia — West MacDonnell National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park, revision 5320158 (CC BY-SA 4.0)