Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park
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Overview
These small Gaps in the Heavitree Range are the first features you come to on your trip into the East MacDonnell Ranges.
They contain interesting Aboriginal paintings and are important spiritual sites to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people.
How to Get There
Located 10km east of Alice Springs, the Park is an easy 15 minute drive along the sealed Ross Highway.
When to Visit
The Park is open all year round.
What to See and Do
Picnicking, bushwalking and Aboriginal Art appreciation.
Visitor facilties
This park offers limited recreation activities such as picnicking and nature observation. There are short walking tracks leading into both Gaps.
Camping is NOT permitted on the Park. There are many opportunities for camping in Alice Springs and further east at Trephina and N'Dhala Gorge.
Please Remember
Emily Gap is a registered sacred site. A large rock painting depicts the caterpillar dreaming. In recent years the art has been severely damaged by vandals. We ask that you respect the site and do not touch any Aboriginal art.
Fact Sheet
Recreational Activities
As well as nature observation, recreational activities include:
- Bush Walking
- Picnic Tables
Scenic and Cultural Features
Many places in the landscape are associated with the same Dreamtime story. Together these places form a 'Dreaming Trail'. Emily and Jessie Gaps are associated with the caterpillar trail. Emily Gap is the most significant, as this is where the caterpillar beings of Mparntwe (Alice Springs) originated. These caterpillars formed Emily Gap and many of the topographic features around Alice Springs, then radiated out to the edge of the Simpson Desert.
The first European sighting of Emily and Jessie Gap was in 1871. It was thought that 'Emily' and 'Jessie' were the daughters of Sir Charles Todd, but this was found to be untrue.
The basis on which the names are derived is unknown.
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Ranger Guided Activities
Territory Parks Alive Program
Keep an eye out for the new program to be released in May 2010.
