Ormiston Gorge & Pound
Ormiston Gorge | Fauna | Flora | Landscape
Ormiston Gorge and Pound on the western side of the Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park showcases spectacular geology and landforms, with its near-permanent waterhole, that is estimated to be up to 14 metres deep at its southern end.
It is also home to a range of local native wildlife, with many being important and part of the local Aboriginal culture.
Long-nose Dragon, Ormiston Gorge
To the Western Arrernte people, the waterhole at Ormiston Gorge is known as Kwartetweme. This place is an Emu Dreaming place. The local aboriginal artist Edward Rontji does a painting that depicts the travels of the emu ancestor in the Dreamtime from the Ochre Pits to Ormiston Waterhole. The ceramic tiles that surround the painting by Edward Rontji has been done by Carol Rontji. This work can be seen in the visitor centre, where you can hear a recording by Edward that tells the story of the Emu Dreaming.
- Black-footed Rock Wallaby
- Cicada Nymph Shell Case
- Coenotes eremophilae
- Diamond Dove
- Long-nosed Dragon
- White-necked Heron
Check out our images for fauna in the Ormiston Gorge region.
Cicada nymph shell casing, Ormiston Gorge, NT 
Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata), Ormiston Gorge 
Long-nose Dragon, Ormiston Gorge 
Black-footed Rock Wallaby (Petrogale lateralis), Ormiston Gorge
Instar Caterpillar of the Sandal-box Hawk Moth (Coenotes eremophilae), Ormiston Gorge, NT
White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica), Ormiston Gorge, NT
More information coming…