N'dhala Gorge Nature Park - NT

  National Parks,Reserves

Position

DEG: -23.635931 134.454437
DMS: 23º 38' 9.35" S 134º 27' 15.97" E
UTM: 53 K 7385974mN 444355mE
Altitude: 558.38m

Description

Place Type

Reserves - National Parks,Reserves

Location

54.9kms East of Amoonguna
55.11kms North of Santa Teresa
233.05kms South of Ampilatwatja
456.55kms SouthWest of Alpurrurulam

Address & Contact

Hale NT 0872
Phone: 08-8951 8211
Email: N/A
Web: N/A

Information

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.

N'Dhala Gorge is an important site for the Eastern Arrernte people known as Irlwentye (pronounced Eel-oonja).

The Gorge is a cultural treasure house containing over 5,900 individual petroglyph's (rock engravings), several art sites, shelter areas and other sites of cultural significance. The petroglyph's in this shady gorge are relict's of the art and stories of an ancient, but still living culture. The petroglyph's 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. It is illegal to tamper with the art, report any irregularities to the Park Rangers at Trephina Gorge on (08) 8956 9765.

Aboriginal custodians for the site, now living in Santa Teresa, indicate that some of the designs are connected with a Caterpillar Dreaming story. In addition to the cultural significance of the Gorge, it is also an important site for fire sensitive plants including Hayes Wattle (Acacia undoolyana) and White Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucophylla).

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

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. For a downloadable (PDF) Fact Sheet for further information. N'dhala Gorge Nature Park PDF.
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Wildflowers

Weather

Closest Weather Station

Arltunga at 29/03:00pm CST
Distance from N'dhala Gorge Nature Park 30.81km NE
TemperatureFeels LikeRel. HumidityDew PointPressureRainfallWind DirectionWind SpeedGusts
30.5°C31.3°C41%15.9°C1014.0hPa0.0mmNE6km/hr
3knots
km/hr
knots

Closest Climatic Station

Arltunga
Distance from N'dhala Gorge Nature Park 30.81km NE
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C36.234.331.528.822.919.219.722.927.730.933.434.4
Mean Min. °C22.221.018.513.47.83.93.25.010.814.618.020.2
Mean Rain mm43.444.240.015.920.116.310.36.86.822.431.339.6

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