About Ormiston Gorge
Ormiston Gorge is a major gorge and waterhole in Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park, about 135 km west of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Carved into the quartzite of the West MacDonnell Ranges, it features towering red cliffs, a near-permanent waterhole and sandy beach. It is a key visitor site for swimming, walking and sightseeing within the national park.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a dramatic gorge with high red quartzite cliffs enclosing a large, cold waterhole with a sandy beach at its base. A sealed access road leads to a car park, visitor centre/kiosk and lookout near the waterhole. Short walks provide views of the gorge and Ghost Gums, while longer tracks circle the Ormiston Pound. Swimming, photography and nature observation are available in a semi-arid mountain setting.
Key highlights
- 01
Near-permanent waterhole with sandy beach at the base of towering quartzite cliffs
- 02
Ormiston Pound Walk - 3-4 hour circuit around the flat-floored pound enclosed by the ranges
- 03
Ghost Gum Walk - short accessible walk to a lookout over the gorge and waterhole
- 04
Swimming in the cold gorge waterhole
- 05
Dramatic West MacDonnell Ranges scenery and Ghost Gum woodland