To The East
The Eastern Macs (Eastern MacDonnell Ranges) are significant to the Arrente Aboriginal People, representing the Dreamtime birthplace of the mountain ranges. The dreaming saw Caterpillar people move from Emily Gap to form the MacDonnell Ranges. Adjacent regions were the scene of mining rushes including gold and what was thought to be rubies but turned out to be garnets. This is must see country!
Emily GapLocated 10 Kms from Alice Springs, Emily Gap is a registered sacred site. A large rock painting depicts the caterpillar dreaming.
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Jessie GapContains interesting Aboriginal paintings and is an important spiritual site to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people.
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Corroboree Rocklocated 42 kms from Alice Springs. Corroboree Rock is an outstanding dark grey column of dolomite. It is of great importance to the Aboriginal people of the region.
The rock itself is an outcrop of dolomite from the Bitter Springs Formation originally laid down in salty lakes 800 million years ago. At the base of the rock you can see dark grey and light grey streaky blobs of 'dalmation rock'. A ring of low ground surrounding the rock makes it look like an obelisk. Photo courtesy - Tourism NT.
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John Hayes RockholeLocated 85 kms from Alice Springs. The John Hayes Rockhole with steep, narrow rock wallstrack is recommended for 4WD vehicles only. Infrequent heavy rains may cause all roads to become impassable. Photo courtesy - Tourism NT.
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Trephina GorgeLocated 85 kms from Alice Springs, then a 9km drive into Trephina Gorge. Trephina Gorge is noted for its sheer quartzite cliffs and River Red Gum lined watercourses.
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N'Dhala GorgeLocated 90 kms from Alice Springs. N'Dhala Gorge contains thousands of rock carvings (petroglyphs). These are relicts of the art and stories of the Eastern Arrernte people. This Gorge is a cultural treasure house, with over 5,900 individual petroglyphs, several art sites, shelter areas and other sites of cultural significance. Photo courtesy - Tourism NT.
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Arltunga Historical ReserveLocated 110 kms from Alice Springs. Arltunga was officially central Australia's first town, born out of a gold rush after alluvial gold was discovered in a dry creekbed in 1887. Fortune seekers had to travel 600km from the Oodnadatta railhead, often on foot. Arltunga once supported around 300 people.
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Ruby Gorge
Located 150 kms from Alice Springs. Ruby Gap is linked to the first mining rush in Central Australia. In March 1886, explorer David Lindsay found what he thought were rubies in the bed of the Hale River. In May 1887 there were over 200 people in the area prospecting for rubies. By then gold had been discovered in Paddy's Rockhole Creek, 45km to the west, which lead to the establishment of the Arltunga Goldfield. access to Ruby Gap is via the Arltunga Historical Reserve. A high clearance 4WD is essential. Heavy rains may cause the roads to become temporarily impassable.
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Information provided courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts.