Glen Helen Gorge
Glen Helen Gorge
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Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
87 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
33
Average
12
Poor
4
Terrible
3
RobP
11 contributions
Apr 2022
Just wanted to give a recent update. We read that although Glen Helen Hotel was closed due to Discovery Parks redeveloping the privately owned site into a tourist park, access was still available to the public's waterhole and gorge. As we'd been to Ormiston Gorge, we drove the extra 15 minutes further to see Glen Helen Gorge. What a waste of time. When you get there, the access road is closed just a couple of vehicle lengths from the road. Could not see any activity and there were no signs providing information to the Gorge except Private Property - No Access. Also nothing to indicate how to access the waterhole. Pieces of paper were taped to the gate. We drove closer and saw an A4 sheet which said in small type, "waterhole access to the left". It was a narrow, overgrown walking track a bit over one person wide. There was no sign advising the length of walk to the waterhole. No trees. No shade. And overgrown as mentioned. Remembering you used to have to drive to the hotel and then walk further from there, we decided against tackling the unknown. Okay. So Discovery Parks has had building delays like everyone else. But their complete lack of effort to provide good alternate access to the waterhole should be condemned. And also, the information about Glen Helen - even on Trip Adviser (not the reviews) and the government websites - needs serious updating. They suggest you can get to the gorge. Not so. Not worth the unknown risk in our view.
Written April 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravellingQldlanders
Morayfield, Australia951 contributions
May 2021
This was a disappointment. The Lodge is closed and there is a large sign that says closed until further notice, there is however an alternate park provided by National Parks. It is partly down a riverbed with lose rocks. Once you get to the end of the path there are reeds that stopped us from going further so you don’t get a good look at the gorge. I wouldn’t recommend the effort, spend more time at Ormiston or Ellery.
Written May 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OzNomad
Old Bar, Australia282 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
Glen Helen Gorge Resort camping is quite ok for somewhere so remote. Ameneties basic but cleaned every day. Bore water not at all pleasant to drink so take your own drinking water. A little land island surrounded by National Park so about the only place you can stay with a dog.
Written August 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GraTra
Toowoomba, Australia679 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
Glen Helen Gorge is stunning!
Glen Helen Gorge is located 132 km west of Alice Springs and is next to Glen Helen Resort which is a lovely old homestead in a beautiful relaxed setting offering accommodation and a caravan/camping area and more,we stayed 2 nights and it was very good our room faced the gorge, at night the stars are amazing.
Take a day trip if you are short on time.... but a stay at the resort will allow you to really enjoy all Glen Helen has to offer. When you arrive the first thing you see is a huge cliff face it is a short walk down to the gorge and Finke river from the car park, you can swim, or just enjoy the natural beauty of Glen Helen. We took a helicopter flight which was amazing!, this is a fantastic way to see the gorge, Finke river and ranges from above. You can book flights at the resort.
There is a variety of birds, as you walk down the track keep an eye out in the trees above for nesting green budgies,(September we were there and they were everywhere) there's beautiful parrots, native flowering plants, and the colours of the sandstone cliff change when the sun hits it.
Glen Helen Gorge is located 132 km west of Alice Springs and is next to Glen Helen Resort which is a lovely old homestead in a beautiful relaxed setting offering accommodation and a caravan/camping area and more,we stayed 2 nights and it was very good our room faced the gorge, at night the stars are amazing.
Take a day trip if you are short on time.... but a stay at the resort will allow you to really enjoy all Glen Helen has to offer. When you arrive the first thing you see is a huge cliff face it is a short walk down to the gorge and Finke river from the car park, you can swim, or just enjoy the natural beauty of Glen Helen. We took a helicopter flight which was amazing!, this is a fantastic way to see the gorge, Finke river and ranges from above. You can book flights at the resort.
There is a variety of birds, as you walk down the track keep an eye out in the trees above for nesting green budgies,(September we were there and they were everywhere) there's beautiful parrots, native flowering plants, and the colours of the sandstone cliff change when the sun hits it.
Written May 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hawkmoth13
Alice Springs38 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
A very scenic drive through some amazing country and after all the rain that fell a couple of weeks ago it was just picture perfect all the way to Glen Helen. Even if just going out for the day it is well worth the trip. We stayed for the weekend in the 'rooms' rather than camping and these are basic but clean and tidy and when it got a bit hot could turn of the airconditioner. Our room faced the Ranges so just sat outside and watch the sun go down after spending the day swimming in the local waterholes, which are so beautiful and clean. As the weather was just perfect requested a late check out which the staff only happy to assist with so had all morning the next day to explore the gorge. We took a couple of floatation devises and managed to get all the way through the gorge taking photos along the way. Although we didn't have a meal in the resturant this time we did use the BBQ area which was neat and clean with a few utensils to assist if had forgotten your own. As the water is pumped up from a bore it is fine for showering in and there is a rain water tank for guests to use but we just took our own water and we did take our own kettle as this is one thing that isn't in the rooms, just a small fridge. After all the rain it isn't often that the country side looks so green, lush and lots of water so glad we took the opportunity to view it before the heat comes back and it is back to being bare and brown. Overall it was a lovely weekend trip away and still had time to get back into town, clean the car and do some shopping all ready for the working week.
Written February 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curl2609
Manly, Australia39 contributions
Sept 2016 • Family
The Glen Helen gorge is worth a quick 30 minute stop, it will only take you 20 minutes to walk to the gorge and back. There are many more impressive gorges to see. Just be warned, don't book into stay at the Glen Helen Lodge/Homestead as it is terrible. We made the mistake of doing this and regretted it, we should have just kept going to Alice.
Written September 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GCPurple
Nerang, Australia488 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
We had a day to spend in Alice and spent the day driving along the MacDonnell Ranges, we headed straight out the Glen Helen Gorge then worked our way back to Alice visiting all the other gorges etc. Definitely take the walk around 10 min out the gorge - you won't be disappointed - it is spectacular.
Written July 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
R S
Hobart, Australia113 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
Time limited, I can't say much about this place, instead I decided to pay $55 for a 7 minute helicopter ride. What you can see from the air in that seemingly small timeframe is truly amazing. You fly over the gorge, see the beginning of the Finke River, spectacular views of the ranges, camping sites, small pockets of water, Glen Helen as a whole and Mt Sonder - 3rd highest in the NT. The pilot is a very nice guy, who takes you to the helicopter by golf buggy -- there are only 3 seats, so you get a view no matter where you sit --- I was lucky, I sat in the front with the pilot --- and it was all glass and all scenery. There are various flights you can take, depending on your price range, but I chose the $55 one as I only had limited time due to being on a day tour. I'd do a longer one if I could. The ride was very smooth and I enjoyed it for my first time in a helicopter.
Written July 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bergzz
Gold Coast, Australia267 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
We enjoyed our stop at Glen Helen Gorge. There is a lovely place to eat, fuel up, bathrooms, and even a helicopter ride if you wish!
There is a cockatoo named Gee that loves the fellas ( not a huge fan of the ladies and children). He's very curious!
There's a great walk up to a lookout just down the road. Nice spot to have a picnic as well.
There is a cockatoo named Gee that loves the fellas ( not a huge fan of the ladies and children). He's very curious!
There's a great walk up to a lookout just down the road. Nice spot to have a picnic as well.
Written July 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah M
Melbourne, Australia170 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
We stayed at the homestead at Glen Helen Gorge. Our first day there, we walked out to see the gorge itself, which isn't far from the homestead (though it's quite a rocky track there so footwear besides thongs is recommended for safety)
It was a pretty spot with a coolish breeze on the afternoon that we went. We took some nice pictures but it was less impressive than Ormiston Gorge.
The best way to see it is from the back porch of the homestead. The cliff face towers above you, and is particularly spectacular at night, with enough light to be able to see the gorge wall on a backdrop of millions of stars.
We enjoyed just looking at it more than we did exploring it.
It was a pretty spot with a coolish breeze on the afternoon that we went. We took some nice pictures but it was less impressive than Ormiston Gorge.
The best way to see it is from the back porch of the homestead. The cliff face towers above you, and is particularly spectacular at night, with enough light to be able to see the gorge wall on a backdrop of millions of stars.
We enjoyed just looking at it more than we did exploring it.
Written July 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it ok to swim at Glen Helen Gorge?
Written August 19, 2021
Is Glenn Helen gorge open. How do I contact them please
Written April 3, 2021
There are some wonderful landmarks west of Glen Helen - we drove from the west starting at Uluru and driving via Kings Canyon where we stayed 2 nights. From there we drove the Mereenie Loop which is mostly unsealed but an interesting drive. When it merged with Larapinta Drive, we turned north to Namatjira Drive that takes you to Glen Helen Gorge. The first stop was Gosse Bluff, an ancient comet crater. It's about 10 km of unsealed road into the park in the centre of the crater. The next stop is Redbank Gorge which is about 20 km to the west of Glen Helen. This is another beautiful gorge, well worth the short drive on unsealed road - I think it was about 1 hour round trip to walk to the end of the track into the gorge - we stayed longer as it was so beautiful and peaceful. We took a whole day to go from Kings Canyon to Glen Helen and that allowed us plenty of time at the two scenic stops (plus time to change a flat tyre on the Mereenie Loop).
Written July 8, 2016
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