The Western MacDonnell Ranges enjoy a rather higher public profile than do the Eastern.
Imagine someone who has “just 24 hours in Alice”, insufficient time/inclination to walk very far, and a keen desire to spend the whole day in the MacDonnell Ranges.
I would advise that person to “head west” – that side of the ranges has the most jaw-dropping vistas, the highest mountains, the deepest gorge….
However, you should ensure that you have at least “several days in Alice”, and you really should “head east” as well as west.
Trephina Gorge offers a particularly rewarding combination of beautiful scenery, pretty easy walking, and highly diverse, lovely vegetation.
Trephina Gorge Nature Park is only an hour away from Alice, mostly on sealed road; the last few ks of dirt are not diabolical, there is a pleasant camping area, lots of birdlife, and that very big ghost gum is within the Park.
Photo is copyright Doug Spencer, taken at 10.13 am, 14 June 2023.
The next few posts in this series are fruits of the very same walk….and reminders that the “closer view” is at least as worthy of full attention as is the “landscape” one.