Serpentine Gorge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Serpentine Gorge |
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Side wall of the gorge
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| Location | Burt Plain, Northern Territory |
| Range | MacDonnell Ranges |
| Coordinates | 23°45′00″S 132°58′00″E / 23.75°S 132.9667°E |
 Location in Northern Territory
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Serpentine Gorge is a beautiful natural area in the West MacDonnell Ranges. These ranges are located in Australia's Northern Territory. The gorge is about 100 kilometres (62 miles) west of Alice Springs. You can find it along the famous Larapinta Trail.
This special place has two gorges. They were formed over a very long time by a creek flowing south. The water slowly cut through two rocky ridges. These ridges are made of a strong rock called Heavitree Quartzite.
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Discovering Serpentine Gorge
Serpentine Gorge is a great place to explore nature. It offers a short walk and a lookout point.
The Walk to the Gorge
You can walk about 1.3 kilometres (0.8 miles) to reach the gorge. There are two ways to go. You can follow a service road, which is an easy path. Or, if you prefer, you can walk along the creek bed. This path might be a bit more adventurous.
The Lookout Point
Once you reach the gorge, there's a short but steep climb. This climb takes you to a lookout point. From here, you can see amazing views of the gorge and the surrounding landscape. It's a perfect spot for photos!
The Larapinta Trail Connection
Serpentine Gorge is an important stop on the Larapinta Trail. This is a long-distance walking trail. Section 7 of the trail starts at Ellery Creek Big Hole and finishes right here. Then, Section 8 of the trail continues from Serpentine Gorge to Serpentine Chalet Dam.
Plants and Water at the Gorge
Serpentine Gorge is home to some unique plants and a special waterhole.
Rare Plants
The gorge is a habitat for some rare plants. These plants are found only in Central Australia. One example is the Centralian flannel-flower. You can also find cycads here. A well-known type of cycad is the Macrozamia macdonnellii. These plants are very old and interesting to see.
The Waterhole
At the entrance to the gorge, there is a waterhole. This waterhole usually has water in it all year round. It's a semi-permanent waterhole. It provides a vital water source for local wildlife.
History of Serpentine Chalet
Near the gorge, you can find the remains of an old building. This was once a tourist lodge called Serpentine Chalet.
An Early Tourist Venture
The Serpentine Chalet was built in the late 1950s or early 1960s. It was part of a tourist business called Ansett-Pioneer. They hoped to bring visitors to this remote area.
Why It Closed
However, the chalet did not last long. There were two main reasons it closed down. First, there was not enough water available for the lodge. Second, its location was very remote. The road leading to it was not paved, making it hard for tourists to reach. Today, all that is left are some concrete slabs and other parts of the floor.
