Northern Territory For Everyone: Glen Helen Gorge

Glen Helen Gorge

Set against a stunning outback vista of towering red cliffs, the permanent waterhole at Glen Helen Gorge is home to many species of animals, including a variety of water birds and fish. Glen Helen provides a perfect base from which to explore the West Macs region. For the traditional owners of the land though, this inviting swimming spot is off limits. They believe it is the home of an ancient and powerful Rainbow Serpent.
The landscape around Glen Helen is as spectacular as you will find anywhere with a towering sandstone wall greeting you as you arrive. The area includes views of the much-painted Mount Sonder, which is one of the highest points in Central Australia, changing colours dramatically throughout the day.

Glen Helen Lodge

Glen Helen was formally a cattle station but is now a tourist resort that caters to visitors that want to truly immerse themselves in the West Macs. Part of the former Glen Helen Station still exists, west of Redbank Gorge. Perched above the Finke River 130 km’s west of Alice Springs in the stunning West MacDonnell Ranges, Glen Helen Resort offers an authentic outback holiday experience. With a range of accommodation options including en suite motel rooms, bunkhouse beds, fixed tents and powered and unpowered campsites Glen Helen Resort is an ideal stop on a red centre holiday.

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A destination in its own right, Glen Helen boasts easy day trip access to the whole West MacDonnell National Park including Palm Valley, Hermansburg, Ormiston Gorge, Redbank Gorge and the internationally renowned Larapinta Trail. Scenic helicopter flights are available, offering a birds eye view of the area and a short walk is often rewarded with sightings of our local wildlife including many bird species, rock wallabies, dingoes, lizards and an array of wildflowers. After dark enjoy the sounds of our talented in house musicians playing in the homestead 5 nights a week April through November or enjoy the fantastic star gazing opportunities offered by the low light of the Northern Territory outback.