Gosse Bluff (Tnorala) Conservation Reserve
Every destination has ‘hidden gems’ that are slightly off the tourist radar, right? Well, Gosse Bluff (Tnorala) Conservation Reserve in Central Australia is just that. Located in the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park and accessible by 4WD only, Gosse Bluff is actually an impact crater believed to have been formed by a comet crashing into Earth 142.5 million years ago. Cool huh?
Well, it gets even better. One of the most fascinating things about Gosse Bluff is that the Aboriginal interpretation of how Gosse Bluff was formed is also celestial in origin.
Like the rest of the landscape in the West MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia, the colours and scenery are ruggedly beautiful. Think red sands contrasting with low green shrubs and the vast blue sky. If you time it right, you’ll be able to throw spring-time wildflowers into that scene.
Gosse Bluff (Tnorala) is a registered sacred site
Gosse Bluff (Tnorala) holds great cultural significance to the Western Arrernte Aboriginal people. It’s a registered sacred site but fortunately for us, the traditional owners welcome visitors. However, you are asked to obey signs and not to enter areas where access is not permitted.
I felt very blessed to be able to visit this beautiful landscape in Spring and loved watching the kids run ahead, picking wildflowers and dandelions to blow in the breeze.
The legend of Tnorala
The signage in the picnic area tells us about the Legend of Tnorala (Gosse Bluff). It reads as follows:
“In the Dreamtime, a large group of women danced across the sky, as the milky way. They were stars taking the form of women.
During the ceremonial dance of the Milky Way Women, a mother put her baby aside, resting in his turna, a wooden baby carrier.
The Turna toppled over the edge of the dancing area and fell to the earth. The baby fell down into the ground and his turna fell hard on top of him. At the place where it crashed into the ground, rocks were forced up from underneath, forming the circular walls of Tnorala.
The Milky Way Baby was covered with sand and hidden from view.
The mother, as the Evening Star, and the father, as the Morning Star, are still looking for their missing baby.”
The scientific explanation
Of course, science also has an explanation for Gosse Bluff (Tnorala), although it’s not quite as heart-wrenching. Scientists believe that around 142.5 million years ago, a comet approximately 600m wide crashed into Earth.
The result was a crater that was blasted around 20 kilometres across. Today, the land surface is around two kilometres lower than the original impact surface and the bluff is only about five kilometres in diameter due to erosion over time.
The crater was named in 1872 “Gosses Range” by the explorer Ernest Giles, a Fellow of the Royal Society. Although, like most places in Australia, it already had a name, ‘Tnorala’. Today, both Gosse Bluff and Tnorala are used on the signage.
What to do at Gosse Bluff (Tnorala)
If you’re driving the Mereenie Loop through to Kings Canyon from Alice Springs on the Red Centre Way road trip, Gosse Bluff is in a convenient location to break up the drive as it’s the last toilet before you hit the Mereenie Loop road.
There is a short walk to a lookout on an adjacent ridge and a longer loop walk, giving a higher vantage point and epic views of the Gosse Bluff crater. Don’t walk along the crater rim though, as it’s not permitted.
The walking tracks are suitable for younger kids but the hikes up to the viewing areas are not suitable at all, with a bit of scrambling involved in spots and loose shaley rocks underfoot.
Enjoy a picnic at Gosse Bluff if you’re not up for a hike, as there are tables and a shade shelter available. However, come prepared with sandwiches and snacks as there are no BBQ facilities and fires are not permitted.
Facilities and “need-to-knows” before you go
Gosse Bluff (Tnorala) facilities include a picnic table, shelter, educational signage and a pit toilet. I recommend ensuring you have your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser as it’s a pretty remote area. Camping is not permitted within the reserve and neither are fires.
All visitors to the Northern Territory now require a parks pass to visit most of the national parks and reserves. This includes Gosse Bluff (Tnorala). Get your park pass >>here<< while you have reception.
If you’re an NT resident, you’re in luck, as residents are exempt from the pass.
How to get to Gosse Bluff Crater (Tnorala)
Gosse Bluff Conservation Reserve is around 210 kilometres west of Alice Springs. Access is via Larapinta Drive or via Namatjira Drive.
A 4WD is required for the last ten kilometres into the reserve and if you plan on continuing along the Mereenie Loops Rd afterwards, you’ll need to make sure you have a Mereenie tour Pass.
Looking for more awesome family holiday ideas?
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Resources for booking your getaway to Central Australia
Getting to the Red Centre of Australia
Most capital cities have flights to Central Australia, with flights landing in Alice Springs and Yulara, a smaller airport near Ayers Rock Resort. Find great deals on flights to Central Australia at Trip.com.
Getting around Central Australia
Car hire is available in Alice Springs. Compare car hire prices across major brands at Discover Cars. Don’t forget you will need a 4WD to drive the Mereenie Road Loop or see the entirety of the East MacDonnell Ranges.
Accommodation in Central Australia
Ayers Rock Resort in the obvious choice at Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park, with a range of accommodations from camping to hotel rooms. For the ultimate in luxury at Uluru, stay at Longitude 131.
Kings Canyon Resort is a great choice for visiting Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park. Their glamping tents are divine, but the campgrounds are well-serviced if you’re on a camping road trip.
Glen Helen is the only non-camping option available in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Camping is also available at Ellery Creek, Ormiston Gorge, Finke 2 Mile and Redbank Gorge. Alternatively, you can book accommodation in Alice Springs and easily day-trip out to the West Macs.
If exploring the East MacDonnell ranges, check out Hale River Homestead and Ross River Homestead.
Tours and activities in Central Australia
Book your Central Australia tours and activities through Viator.
