N’Dhala Gorge Nature Park is located 90 kilometres East of Alice Springs, via the Ross Highway and is accessable by four-wheel drive only. This shady gorge contains a wide range of rock carvings and paintings. There are well over 6,000 individual petroglyphs (prehistoric carvings) as well as art sites and shelter sites. One way that Petroglyphs were created was by holding a sharp stone against the rock and striking it with a heavier stone.

The petroglyphs are either of the finely pecked or the pounded varieties that are thought to represent two different time periods. In addition to being culturally significant, N'Dhala Gorge is noted for containing rare plants such as the peach-leafed poison bush and the Undoolya wattle.

The petroglyphs are of two styles, the finely pecked and the pounded. They possibly represent two time periods.

It is difficult to estimate the age of the art. Most were probably done within the past 2,000 years, but some could be as old as 10,000 years.

Aboriginal custodians for the site, now living in Santa Teresa, indicate that some of the designs are connected with a Caterpillar Dreaming story.

How to Get There

90 kilometres east of Alice Springs via Ross Highway Alice Springs Northern Territory 0870 Australia.

The Gorge is situated 90 kms east of Alice Springs along a sealed road to Ross River Homestead. The turn-off is 500m before the homestead. After the homestead there is 11 kms of 4WD track. The 4WD track crosses the Ross River several times and becomes impassable after heavy rain.

When to Visit

Suggest you stay at Ross River resort and ring them first.

Ross River Resort. Ross River Resort, only 85km to the east of Alice Springs on sealed road offers you the unique opportunity to experience the very best of the Australian Outback.

Recreational Activities

Walking - A 1.5 km (1 hour return) marked walking track leads into the gorge. Signs along the track interpret some of the petroglyphs and the rare Acacia undoolyana.

Parks NT walking maps

Visitor Facilties

Camping - A small, simple bush camping area is located at the entrance to the Park. No water is provided and you should bring your own supplies. Camping fees are payable at the site. Please report any incidents of interference to the petroglyphs by phoning the Rangers at Trephina Gorge on (08) 8956 9765.

Ross River Resort

Ross River Resort has a variety of attractions and activities for you to enjoy. Abundant birdlife, Bushwalking, Sunset Camel tours and Hot Air Ballooning can be organised on request through Frontier Camel Tours.

• Accommodation & Rates Cabins - from AUD $50.00 per person/per night/twinshare
• Bunkhouse - Adults from AUD $22
• Camping Ground - from AUD $10 *Rates subject to change without notice.

A tourist facility formed around the original Loves Creek Homestead built in 1898 by the pioneering Bloomfield family as a working cattle station.

Ross River Resort offers:

• Friendliness and service
• Air conditioned cabins with ensuite
• Swimming pool and spa
• Public telephone
• EFTPOS facilities
• Cafe bistro in historical homestead
• Conference facilities and group catering
• Stockman's bar
• Abundant birdlife
• Bushwalking
• Fuel,
• Ice and
• Gas bottle refills
• Billy tea, damper,
• Wwhip cracking and boomerang throwing (10am - 12 noon daily)
• Camping ground and caravan park with powered sites
• Budget accommodation
• General store and kiosk
• Transfers
• 1.4km airstrip and helipad

Contact:
• Ross River Resort
• Toll free 1800 241 711
• Phone +61 8 8956 9711
• Fax +61 8 8956 9823
• Mail PO Box 3271 Alice Springs • Northern Territory 0871 Australia
• Email rrr@rossriverresort.com.au
• Web www.rossriverresort.com.au

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