4WD Tracks in West MacDonnell Ranges
60 tracks in West MacDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory.
About West MacDonnell Ranges
The West MacDonnell Ranges stretch 160 km west of Alice Springs — ancient quartzite ridges carved by the Finke River into spectacular gorges. Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Serpentine Gorge, and the Ochre Pits are the highlights within West MacDonnell National Park, all accessible via the Namatjira Drive.
The 4WD tracks here are mostly unsealed park access roads — not extreme but proper low-range country in places. The Larapinta Trail parallels many of the vehicle routes. The Redbank Gorge road and the tracks beyond Ormiston give the most remote feel within the main park. Further west, the Haasts Bluff and Papunya community roads extend into more serious country (permit required for community roads).
Year-round driving is possible in the MacDonnells. Summer (November–March) brings extreme heat — carry at least 10 litres of water per person per day. Winter nights drop below freezing. Spring and autumn are ideal. The gorge areas and waterholes are destinations in themselves, not just access routes.
Popular tracks in West MacDonnell Ranges
Showing 49–60 of 60 tracks
Palm Valley Track
Palm Valley Track
Palm Valley Track
Binns Track
Haunted Bore Access Track
No Name Yet
Old Runway
Rodna Access Track
Palm Valley Track
Chalet Dam Walk
Stuart Walk
Owen Springs Reserve Tourist Drive
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Mereenie Loop Pass for the West MacDonnells?
The Mereenie Loop Pass is required for access through the Hermannsburg (Ntaria) community to Kings Canyon via the Mereenie Loop Road. It is not required for tracks within the West MacDonnell National Park itself (Namatjira Drive direction). The pass is available at Alice Springs visitor centres, the Hermannsburg Tourist Precinct, and Kings Canyon Resort. It is a cultural permit fee, not a national park entry.