The Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park

These small Gaps in the Heavitree Range are the first features you come to on your trip into the East MacDonnell Ranges. They contain interesting Aboriginal paintings and are important spiritual sites to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people.

The Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park, a scenic area close to Alice Springs, is an example of the Parks and Wildlife Commission’s commitment to the Northern Territory’s rich and diverse Aboriginal culture. The Park protects sacred sites and galleries of rock painting significant to the Arrernte Aboriginal people and associated with the Yeperenye (caterpillar) and other dreamings.

Where is Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park

Located 10km east of Alice Springs, the Park is an easy 15 minute drive along the sealed Ross Highway.

Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park is located in the Heavitree Range (part of the East MacDonnell Ranges) approximately 10 kilometres east of Alice Springs. The Park is approximately 800 metres wide and 8.6 kilometres long and features two attractive Gaps with semi permanent waterholes. Access from Alice Springs east to Emily and Jessie Gaps is via the sealed Ross Highway. The Park is popular with locals and visitors alike who visit the area briefly, usually before proceeding to other locations in the East MacDonnell Ranges.

When to Visit

The Park is open all year round.

Emily Gap is a registered sacred site. A large rock painting depicts the caterpillar dreaming. We ask that you respect the site and do not touch any Aboriginal art.

History - Scenic and Cultural Features

Many places in the landscape are associated with the same Dreamtime story. Together these places form a 'Dreaming Trail'. Emily and Jessie Gaps are associated with the caterpillar trail. Emily Gap is the most significant, as this is where the caterpillar beings of Mparntwe (Alice Springs) originated. These caterpillars formed Emily Gap and many of the topographic features around Alice Springs, then radiated out to the edge of the Simpson Desert.

The first European sighting of Emily and Jessie Gap was in 1871. It was thought that 'Emily' and 'Jessie' were the daughters of Sir Charles Todd, but this was found to be untrue. The basis on which the names are derived is unknown.

Visitor facilties
This park offers limited recreation activities such as picnicking and nature observation. There are short walking tracks leading into both Gaps.

Picnics - This Park offers recreational activities such as picnicking and nature observation. There are picnic tables and firepits at Jessie Gap.

Camping - Camping is NOT permitted on the Park. There are many opportunities for camping in Alice Springs and further east at Trephina and N'Dhala Gorge.

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