Simpsons Gap National Park 
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30,950ha.
Simpsons Gap was discovered in 1871 by a surveyor called Gilbert McMinn. The origin of the name (spelt Simsons Gap earlier in 20th C.) is unclear: it has no connection with the Simpson Desert. Until the establishment of the national park in 1970 the area was a huge cattle station which had suffered from overgrazing. The balance of nature has now been stabilized.
A visit to Simpsons Gap National Park is a good introduction to the topography of the western MacDonnell Ranges. Deep gorges, carved by prehistoric watercourses through the sandstone of the ancient hills, with permanent waterholes and remains of earlier vegetation, form a striking contrast to the wide desert-like plains and dunes. Areas of white sand, huge river eucalyptuses and white-barked ghost gums lead to a permanent waterhole in the shelter of rugged cliffs, which are particularly impressive in the slanting sun of late afternoon.
Simpsons Gap was discovered in 1871 by a surveyor called Gilbert McMinn. The origin of the name (spelt Simsons Gap earlier in 20th C.) is unclear: it has no connection with the Simpson Desert. Until the establishment of the national park in 1970 the area was a huge cattle station which had suffered from overgrazing. The balance of nature has now been stabilized.
A visit to Simpsons Gap National Park is a good introduction to the topography of the western MacDonnell Ranges. Deep gorges, carved by prehistoric watercourses through the sandstone of the ancient hills, with permanent waterholes and remains of earlier vegetation, form a striking contrast to the wide desert-like plains and dunes. Areas of white sand, huge river eucalyptuses and white-barked ghost gums lead to a permanent waterhole in the shelter of rugged cliffs, which are particularly impressive in the slanting sun of late afternoon.
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Address:
Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory Alice Springs Region, Box 2130
South Stuart Highway, Alice Springs, NT 0870, Australia
South Stuart Highway, Alice Springs, NT 0870, Australia
Tips: Access on Larapinta Drive; the eastern boundary of the national park almost reaches the outskirts of Alice Springs. The road to the main gorge is asphalted.
Swimming is not permitted.
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