West MacDonnell RangesBirthday Waterhole Ellery Creek Big Hole Finke Two Mile Glen Helen Gorge Jay Creek John Flynn’s Grave Historical Reserve Laura Creek Larapinta Drive Mount Sonder / Rwetyepme Namatjira Drive The Neil Hargrave Lookout Ochre Pits Ormiston Gorge & Pound Point Howard Lookout Redbank Gorge Simpsons Gap

As you travel from Alice Springs along the Larapinta Drive through the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park, taking the turn west onto and along Namatjira Drive, there is a great lookout and free campsite. The lookout is approximately 30 kms from when you turn onto the intersection of Namatjira Drive. (Please if you do stay overnight, take your rubbish away with you.)

Not to be confused with The Neil Hargrave Lookout, that is approximately 29 kms further west along the Namatjira Drive, which is another great rest stop just to stop at and stretch your legs.

The Point Howard Lookout is a great stop on-route before passing Ellery Creek Big Hole and the Ochre Pits turnoff. The Lookout has spectacular views over Burt Plain. The region is characterised by plains and low rocky ranges. The vegetation being predominantly mulga and other acacia woodlands, short grasses and forbs, and spinifex grasslands. The native wild orange has been seen growing up there on the Lookout.

View of surrounding landscape from Neil Hargrave Lookout
View of surrounding landscape from Point Howard Lookout, Burt Plain, NT.

Continuing on your way there is another rest-stop at the the Neil Hargrave Lookout. From there the drive takes you to other amazing locations including Ochre Pits, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge.

Campsite at the Neil Hargrave Lookout, West MacDonnell Ranges
Campsite at the Point Howard Lookout, West MacDonnell Ranges, NT.

The wild orange or native orange (Capparis mitchellii) is a bush tucker food. Known as merne atwakeye in the Arrernte language.

During certain times of the year, wildflowers can also be seen up on the lookout.

Twin Gums on Point Howard Lookout, West Macdonnell Ranges
Twin Gums on Point Howard Lookout, West Macdonnell Ranges © CK Leel

West MacDonnell RangesBirthday Waterhole Ellery Creek Big Hole Finke Two Mile Glen Helen Gorge Jay Creek John Flynn’s Grave Historical Reserve Laura Creek Larapinta Drive Mount Sonder / Rwetyepme Namatjira Drive The Neil Hargrave Lookout Ochre Pits Ormiston Gorge & Pound Point Howard Lookout Redbank Gorge Simpsons Gap

MacDonnell RangesEast MacDonnell Ranges West MacDonnell Ranges Tjoritja West MacDonnell National Park