Gem Tree and East McDonnell Ranges

Gday,
You can camp at Gem Tree in the caravan park or out on the Gem fields if you prefer bush camping. There was a long drop out on the field supplied by the Alice gem club but was full last time I was there. Might have been shifted by now?
There are a couple of different ways you can go......Straight up the bitumen, Cattle water pass, or another track through the Gardens Station.

Cheers

Trephina Gorge is worth a look if not a camp. And if there's been rain check out the Jack Hayes Rock Hole via a sidetrack on the way in. Sunset in the valley leading into Trephina can be a knock-out.

All up the East Mac is much smaller than the West but still worth a visit, inc. going out out to the old mines. One of them's open.

Have fun.

Hi Dave

We never went as far as Gem Tree, but found the Eat MacDonnells lovely, with soft colouring and very different to the West Macs. We camped at Trephina National Parks Campground and based ourselves there for walks and drives, including a full day at Arltunga Historic Reserve, and N'Dhala petroglyph site another day. We didn't get as far as Ruby Gap either.

Cheap bush style camping with facilities including free gas barbecues at Trephina main camp ground. The John Hayes rock hole campground did not appeal as much as the main campground, and the track in follows a narrow rocky creek bed (:O fun with the width of the F250 :O).

You can read about our tour here:
The East MacDonnells

Motherhen

Some of the sites at Gemtree are tucked in amongst the bush. Have a central fire pit in a clearing, with spots for a few rigs around each one. We found it very pleasant, went for a few days and stayed much longer. There is some great country to explore round there, apart from the gem stuff.

Hi Dave,

There are a number of places to camp - Ruby Gap (bush camping, spectacular) N'Dhala Gorge, (basic amenities, small site) and the Ross River campground if it is still open is OK too. Also Trephina Gorge and Arltunga. There is a good bush camp in a big clump of gidgee at the northern end of Cattlewater Pass, and the Gemtree campground is good. There is also a good drive that runs south from the Gemtree fossicking area that joins up with the tourist drive coming in from the Stuart Highway - there are some good bush campsites along that track too.

The East MasDonnells are beautiful, you could easily spend a couple of weeks there as there is so much to see. I have written about some of these areas in our blogs.

Cheers,

Val.

I endorse the spots already posted, especially Cattle Water Pass. Good camp spots along the way, and it will take longer than you think.
Add Ruby Gap Gorge.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

We went to Gemtree last year.We found that going along Plenty Hwy we couln't find anywhere else suitable to camp for the night. The caravan park is Gemtree. Nothing else there, fairly quiet, but definately a caravan park.

Zircon fossicking was too muddy and boggy from recent rains when we were there. Garnet fossicking was fun.

Gday Dave,
Ruby Gap was closed by road damage for most of last year, and according to the current road report it is still closed. Closer to the time, its worth checking the following site:
http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/roadreport/obstructions-closures.jsp

Thankyou to all who have replied. Some very useful information. My wife and I appreciate your help. We are hoping Ruby Gap will be open but if not I'm sure we'll still have a great time.
Cheers
Dave