Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
gorge's rim. The
Ridgetop Walk
(five hours, 10km one way) traverses the ridges from
the gorge to John Hayes Rockhole; the 8km return along the road takes about two hours.
The delightful
John Hayes Rockhole
, 9km from the Trephina Gorge turn-off (the last
4km is 4WD only) has three basic
camping sites
(adult/child $3.30/1.65)
. From here, the
gorgeous
Chain of Ponds Walk
(1½ hours, 4km loop) leads past rock pools and up to a
lookout above the gorge.
There's a
rangers station
( 08-8956 9765)
and
camping grounds
(adult/child $3.30/
1.65)
with BBQs, water and toilets at Trephina Gorge and the Bluff.
N'Dhala Gorge Nature Park
Shortly before the Ross River Resort, a strictly 4WD-only track leads 11km south to
N'Dhala Gorge
. More than 5900 ancient Aboriginal rock carvings and some rare en-
demic plants decorate a deep, narrow gorge, although the art isn't easy to spot. There's a
small, exposed
camping ground
(adult/child $3.30/1.65)
without reliable water.
Ross River
About 9km past the Arltunga turn-off you come to the secluded
Ross River Resort
(
08-8956 9711;
www.rossriverresort.com.au
; unpowered & powered sites $36, bunkhouse $25, d/f
cabin $120/150; )
, built around a historic stone homestead with basic timber cabins
encircling a swimming pool. The stunning camp site is grassy and studded with gums.
There's a store with fuel, and it's worth grabbing lunch (mains $15 to $20) or a beer in
the Stockman's Bar.
Arltunga Historical Reserve
Situated at the eastern end of the MacDonnell Ranges, 110km east of Alice Springs, is
the old gold-mining ghost town of Arltunga (40km on unsealed road from the Ross
Hwy). Its history, from the discovery of alluvial (surface) gold in 1887 until mining
activity petered out in 1912, is fascinating. Old buildings, a couple of cemeteries and the
many deserted
mine sites
in this parched landscape give visitors an idea of what life was
like for the miners. There are walking tracks and old mines (with bats!) to explore, so
bring a torch.
The unstaffed visitor information centre has old photographs of the gold-extracting
process, plus a slide show on the area's history, and drinking water and toilets. There's no
camping in the reserve itself.
