Day 59: Mon 20 Jul 26 - Alice Springs

July 20, 2026

Mon 20 Jul 26 - Alice Springs

4 Deg reaching 21 Deg, Clear with light winds

The day started with our morning walks then back for breakfast and some activity planning. Unfortunately there are few places where dogs (or pets in general) are welcome at Alice Springs or in the MacDonnell Ranges, so we decided to book Olli in for doggy Day care tomorrow so we could have some time visiting a few local attractions together. $45 for the whole day is very good we think. We filled out a few lengthy behavioural questionnaires (for the dog not us), and provided Olli's vaccination and desexing certificates, along with a whole lot of other information, then made a booking for tomorrow. While Noel stayed behind with Olli, I headed out for the afternoon exploring. I drove 51 km into the West MacDonnell Ranges to my first location at Standley Chasm. Located in a reserve privately owned by the Iwupataka Land Trust, I couldn't use the NT Parks Pass needed for most NT parks, so I paid a seperate fee which was worth every cent. After a short 2.4k return walk from the carpark, I arrived at the Chasm shortly after midday when the sunlight directly overhead is ideal for bringing out the most vibrant colours. After many photos and just enjoying the spectacle, returning to the carpark, I took a 45 minute detour up to the Bridle Path Lookout (part of the Larapinta Trail), a steep but rewarding climb with amazing panaramas of the West MacDonnell Ranges and valleys below. Back at the car, I drove another 35km back towards Alice Springs to my next destination, Simpsons Gap, which is just a short walk from the car park. I feel that I missed the best time of day for photography here, as the sun was already casting heavy shadows over most of the Gap, and it was already feeling quite fresh. The colour in some of the higher rocks was nice, but the reflections in the water below was specatacular also. Only 24km away from where we are staying, It's close enough to return another day if time permits. Back at the van by 1600, we ventured out for dinner about 200m away at the the Alice Springs brewery for pizza (me) and schnitzel (Noel). Sitting outdoors in the beer garden was nice enjoying a couple of very tasty boutique beers, and we were able to have Olli with us, who was sitting mostly quietly, under our table. It did start getting very cool soon after the sun set though so it wasn't long before we retreated to the warmth of our van.