Glen Helen Gorge

The West MacDonnell Ranges part briefly at Glen Helen Gorge, to make way for the Finke River. The ranges are of pacoota sandstone and form steep, broken ridges and it is here that the permanent Finke River waterhole is an important refuge in the hot summer months.

It provides shelter for all nine species of fish recorded for the Finke and is an important stopover for waterbirds migrating along its course. The Finke River continues and makes its way to the Simpson Desert. Glen Helen Gorge is a great place to view the ranges and nearby Glen Helen Resort offers accommodation and meals.

Nearby Mt Sonder

The ranges dominate the southern view and it is possible to climb to vantage points on the face to get photographs across the river and chalet to Mount Sonder.

How To Get There

Glen Helen Gorge and Glen Helen Resort

139 kilometres west of Alice Springs via Namatjira Drive Alice Springs. Glen Helen is surrounded by the majestic MacDonnell Ranges, and is a destination in its own right, with easy day trip access to the whole West MacDonnell National Park, including Palm Valley, Hermannsburg, Ormiston Gorge, Redbank Gorge and Mt Sonder. A one night stay is never enough.

Red Centre Way

Glen Helen is now part of the Mereenie Loop which in fact is now known as 'The Red Centre Way'. From Alice Springs travellers leisurely drive to Glen Helen, sidetracking from Larapinta or Namatjira onto the Mereenie Loop and into Herrmansburg and Palm Valley (see our map below), then one would travel onto Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National park, Then onto Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park to Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) , and back to Alice Springs via the Lasseter and left onto Stuart Highway stopping at Stuarts Well. A spectacular round trip of well over 1350km with all the side trips. RAB

Glen Helen Resort

Situated at the Western end of the spectacular West MacDonnell Ranges, Glen Helen Resort is the climax to an adventurous and colourful drive, a little over an hour from Alice Springs.

Glen Helen is surrounded by the majestic MacDonnell Ranges, and is a destination in its own right, with day trip access to the whole West MacDonnell National Park, including Palm Valley, Hermannsburg, Ormiston Gorge, Redbank Gorge and Mt Sonder. A one night stay is never enough.

Glen Helen Resort

Our specialty is good old fashioned Australian hospitality, and you can look forward to a warm welcome. The Glen Helen Homestead captures the authentic Outback style. This restored and enlarged Station Homestead has a charming atmosphere, with photos of the surrounding natural features and memorabilia of the early years of the business.

The configurations offered are either queen and single bed or queen and double bunks, enabling up to 4 persons per room. All rooms offer close access to lovely views of the Glen Helen Gorge.

The motel surrounds an inviting swimming pool, and is also less than 10 minutes walk from the stunning Glen Helen Gorge Water Hole, which has water in it year round and is superb and safe for swimming.

Guests are often rewarded with sightings of wildlife including many bird species, rock wallabies, dingoes, lizards, and hosts Colin and Shelagh can help with many identifications.

Glen Helen was named after Helen Grant, the niece of Alexander Grant, who took up the first lease of Glen Helen Station, the property on which the gorge was located.

History

The present resort/chalet as it is known by has had a few owners across the years and nestles beside the Finke River where it has cut the gorge through the ranges. A favoured spot by Alice Springs residents for a weekend getaway and business retreat.

Glen Helen has the facilities litsed below.

Property facilities include:
• Namatjira Restaurant and Gallery
• Bar and outdoor beer garden
• Outdoor BBQ areas
• Guest laundry and ironing facilities
• Fuel available 24 hours
• Camping necessities
• Camp kitchen facilites
• Natural swimming hole
• Powered and unpowered campsites
• Swimming pool
• Local tour and walking information desk
• Entertainment (5 nights per week)
• 4WD Tours and Transfers
• Helicopter Flight
• Nature tours available

Motel Rooms feature:
• Airconditioning
• Double, Twin, Triple or Quad Rooms
• Private Ensuite • Refrigerator
• All include spectacular scenery!

Glen Helen Resort,
Namatjira Drive, West MacDonnell Ranges,
via Alice Springs NT 0870 Australia
Phone: +61 8 8956 7489
Fax: + 61 8 8956 7495

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