Simpson's Gap - A Close Escape

Simpson's Gap lies just twenty minutes down the road from the Alice in the Toritja/West MacDonnell National Park. In dry weather, its bed is sandy, and in the wet, its waterhole expands. Tucked into the West MacDonnell Ranges, this stunning escape is closer than we realize.

A pit stop on the Larapinta Trail, known as Rungutjirpa to the Arrernte people of Central Australia, Simpson's Gap is where several important dreaming trails and stories intersect. Home to fauna such as black-footed rock wallabies and flora including mulga trees, it is the most distinct gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges. A popular picnic place for locals, the red rocks slope away from the sky, looming over the earth.

Simpson's Gap, Central Australia

Carved out of the West MacDonnell Ranges by Roe Creek, Simpson's Gap's natural beauty and accessibility by sealed road mean that year-round, it sees visitors from both the Territory and further abroad. Over forty species of rare plant can be found in its landscape, and standing in the heart of the gap, it is hard to fathom that the Alice Springs township is a mere 18 kilometres away.

The West MacDonnell Ranges offer many options for hiking and camping. In summer, the extreme heat means that some activities are curtailed, and after the recent heavy flooding, some of the walking trails have been damaged. Currently, with prohibitively hot temperatures, Simpson's Gap is best explored in the late afternoon or evening when the shadows fall and it is slightly cooler. 

At the close of day, dying sun on the rocks highlights the stunning beauty of Central Australia. It is so close to urban streets and buildings, and yet, in its own way, so far away. Like many things in life, exploring Simpson's Gap means traveling a little further - but deep are the rewards of doing so.