Wander along a sandy creek bed between high cliffs in the Trephina Gorge National Park. Discover the biggest ghost gum in Central Australia and cool off in a secluded waterhole surrounded by high rock walls. The Quartzite cliffs and waterholes are home to mouse-like fat-tailed antechinus, knob-tailed geckoes and black-footed rock-wallabies. Red river gum trees are alive with colourful green budgerigars.
Drive into the park and take the turn off to the ghost gum. This huge gum tree is the only surviving ghost gum around the park after many of the trees were logged and used in the Ghan Railway project in the 1950s.
Inside the park, you can admire the plunging stone walls of the Trephina Gorge from above on several hiking trails. Take the Trephina Gorge Walk if you’re short on time. This hike takes you up to the rim of the gorge or along the sandy creek bottom and only takes about 1-hour return. The creek flows after rain and is lovely to walk through bare footed on a hot day.
The Panorama Walk is a 1-hour return walk, which involves some scrambling over rocks. You will be rewarded with fantastic views of the fascinating geology of this area. In some areas the quartzite stone resembles brickwork, as erosion has revealed layers of rock and sediment built up over the ages.
Experienced hikers wanting a substantial trek can follow the Trephina Ridgetop Walk. The 16-kilometre (10-mile) track leads to the John Hayes Rockhole, a series of secluded waterholes surrounded by high rock walls. Make sure to bring your swimsuit. Stay overnight at the John Hayes Rockhole camping site. The Rockhole is also accessible by four-wheel drive. All walks are marked with coloured arrows.
Trephina Gorge Nature Park is in the East MacDonnell Ranges, 85 kilometres (53 miles) east of Alice Springs. The park is accessible by conventional vehicle on the sealed and gravel roads. Campsites are equipped with barbecues but campers must bring their own water.
