Australia: The Land Where Time Began

A biography of the Australian continent 

Beginning at the Old Alice Springs Telegraph Station, this is a walking track that passes the backbone of the West MacDonnell Ranges for 223 km. It is divided into 12 sections, passing through some of the most popular attractions of the ranges, including Simpsons Gap, Ellery Creek, Ellery Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen, Mt Sonder, the highest point on the track. It links with other walking tracks in the ranges.

The track passes over a number of rugged ranges and various desert habitats where there are spectacular views. All sections of the track are accessible by vehicles, though some by 4-wheel drive only. There are parts of the track that are suitable for all grades of walkers, a section to fit the fitness level of most walkers.

Camping under the stars is a highlight of the track for many. The desert air is so dry that that the stars look brighter, bigger and appear closer than can be seen from places on the coast. Just the night sky can be a truly spectacular site. The rugged ranges that are various shades of reds and browns look even more spectacular against the usually metallic blue sky, again because of the low water content of the atmosphere. There are camp sites along the track, often with tent sites and some with picnic tables.

One of the places passed through is the ochre pit where the rock walls are streaked with a variety of red, orange and yellow beds, depending on the iron continent, that was used by generations of the local Aboriginal People for their body painting for ceremonies and used in medicine when mixed with fat as an ointment.

Sources & Further reading