Tnorala (Gosse Bluff)

175 kilometres west of Alice Springs via Hermannsburg Alice Springs. Around 142.5 million years ago an object from space, believed to be a comet about 600 metres across, crashed to earth, blasting a crater some 20km across. Today's land surface is about 2km lower than the original impact surface and the bluff is about 5km in diameter, reduced over time by erosion. The remnant crator was named Gosse's Range by the explorer Ernest Giles in 1872 after H. Gosse, a fellow of the Royal Society. Title for the Reserve was granted to traditional owners and is now jointly managed with the Parks and Wildlfie Service.

How to Get There

The Reserve is about 175km west of Alice Springs. Access is via Larapinta or Namatjira Drive. A 4WD is recommended for the last 10km drive to the Reserve and a Mereenie Tour Pass is required to travel this road. Continue west from Alice Springs and you will travel on a road winding to the south and come to Tyler Pass, a place to stop for spectacular views of Tnorala / Gosse Bluff, a 5km crater created by a comet 142.5 million years ago.

When to Visit

The Reserve is accessible all year round. The cooler months from April to October are the most pleasant. All roads can be impassible after heavy rain.

Visitor Facilities

Picnic facilities, toilets, information and walking tracks are available at the Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) Conservation Reserve.

A stop over at Tnorala offers views into the interior of the crator.

There is a picnic area a short distance from the Bluff, which includes pit toilets and a shade shelter with excellent information about the area.

No barbecue facilities are available as fire is not permitted here.

Recreational Activities

Walking Tracks - There is a short walk to a lookout on an adjacent ridge. Access within Tnorala is restricted in accordance with the wishes of Traditional Owners. Walking along the crater rim is not permitted.

Cultural

Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) Conservation Reserve is a place of great cultural significance to the Western Arrente Aboriginal people, as well as one of international scientific interest. The Reserve is a registered sacred site and traditional owners welcome visitors to experience Tnorala's magic, but we ask you to respect the area and obey signs where access is not permitted.

According to Aboriginal belief, Tnorala was formed in the creation time, when a group of women danced across the sky as the Milky Way. During this dance, a mother put her baby aside, resting in it's wooden baby-carrier (a turna). The carrier toppled over the edge of the dancing area and crashed to earth where it was transformed into the circular rock walls of Tnorala. The Aboriginal and scientific interpretation of the Bluff are similar in that both have a celestial origin.

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