Title: Glen Helen Gorge in Mount Zeil | Expedia.co.uk [Glen Helen Gorge Hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Glen-Helen-Gorge-Hotels.0-l553248634340987486-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[Flights to Mount Zeil](https://expedia.co.uk/Cheap-Flights-To-Mount-Zeil.d553248634374222825.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Things to do in Mount Zeil](https://expedia.co.uk/Things-To-Do-In-Mount-Zeil.d553248634374222825.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Glen Helen Gorge Car Hire](https://expedia.co.uk/Compare-Cheap-Car-Hire-In-Glen-Helen-Gorge.d553248634340987486.Car-Hire-Guide)[Mount Zeil Holidays](https://expedia.co.uk/Mount-Zeil.d553248634374222825.Holidays-City-Breaks) # Glen Helen Gorge ![Red Centre showing a sunset, a river or creek and a gorge or canyon](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634340987486/24c71e6e-0960-4148-8641-0c660202a891.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Red Centre showing a sunset, a river or creek and a gorge or canyon](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634340987486/24c71e6e-0960-4148-8641-0c660202a891.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Glen Helen Gorge showing a gorge or canyon and a river or creek](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634340987486/d708ccb4-2dd1-43b0-a95e-6bfd503a1a33.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Glen Helen Gorge featuring desert views, tranquil scenes and signage](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634340987486/110ac33d-5848-44fb-a323-0e7bf018ea09.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Glen Helen Gorge which includes a lake or waterhole and a gorge or canyon](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634340987486/e2fdd13d-af38-4caa-bdca-2d24f603fd2f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Glen Helen Gorge Activities [Mount Zeil travel guide](https://expedia.co.uk/Mount-Zeil.dx553248634374222825) --- --- #### Fly above the West MacDonnell Ranges on a helicopter ride, swim between sheer sandstone walls and discover the wildlife of the waterhole in this gorge. The Glen Helen Gorge attracts wildlife and visitors who come to swim. A permanent waterhole in the gorge is fed by the Finke River and is one of the West MacDonnell Ranges’ most beautiful waterholes. Take a swim in the refreshing waters surrounded by birds and fish. Watch the rocky slopes above the water for black-footed rock-wallabies. The gorge was formed as the Finke River wore its way through the softer sandstone, exposing quartzite cliffs. Climb the cliffs for a spectacular view of the valley and ranges. Look out for Central Australia’s highest peak, Mount Sonder. Go swimming in the permanent waterhole or scramble over the rocks for views of Hidden Valley. You can see the incredible vertical slabs of stone known as the Organ Pipes rising out of the Finke River.Bring a pair of goggles to see the aquatic life that flourishes even in the desert, from the colourful rainbow fish to the mirror-like bony bream. Frogs, snakes and lizards are also abundant in the water. Glen Helen is a sacred site to the Arrernte people, who call it Yapalpe. It is said that the waterhole was the home of a powerful Rainbow Serpent spirit. Local indigenous people do not swim here, but have relied on the permanent waterhole for fishing throughout the centuries. The area was settled by pastoralists in the 1870s. It’s thought the gorge was named Helen after the niece of one of the cattle farmers. Today there is a resort on the former farming land that offers accommodation and camping. Take a helicopter ride from Glen Helen Resort to look out over the gorge from above. Helicopter tours run from February to November. Enjoy breathtaking views over the incredible landscape, including mountain ranges and gorges carved out by the Finke River. If a helicopter ride is out of your budget, four-wheel drive tours also operate from the resort. Glen Helen is about 130 kilometres (8 miles) west of Alice Springs. The Gorge is accessible for regular vehicles and four-wheel drives. Take the sealed section of Namatjira Drive into Glen Helen. ### Popular places to visit ![Alice Springs which includes a lake or waterhole, hiking or walking and a gorge or canyon](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634340999728/d01f3de5-e747-4f0d-b453-355658d7bdf3.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Ormiston Gorge Walk through the red-stone cliffs of this gorge and watch the skies for the wedge-tailed eagle while you cool off in a waterhole. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Ormiston-Gorge-Mount-Zeil.d553248634340999728.Attraction) ![West MacDonnell National Park featuring mountains, hiking or walking and a sunset](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6131315/b62be100-c5e2-44cd-86a2-75d7f0177264.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Tjoritja-West MacDonnell National Park Swim in waterholes in rugged canyons, discover Australia’s desert creatures and learn how the Arrernte people have lived on the land for thousands of years. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Tjoritja-West-MacDonnell-National-Park-Northern-Territory.d6131315.Attraction) ![Alice Springs showing desert views, a gorge or canyon and hiking or walking](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635922901413/beeea4f4-7c01-4edc-8d5c-5612e3d50352.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Palm Valley Explore the great outdoors at Palm Valley, a lovely green space in Namatjira. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Palm-Valley-Namatjira.d553248635922901413.Attraction) ![Ellery Creek Big Hole showing general coastal views and a beach as well as a small group of people](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634340987480/1f516660-a17c-48ef-91f5-213f13d0c420.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Ellery Creek Big Hole Take a swim in this fresh water creek between glowing red cliffs and ghostly gums or picnic on the sandy bank and enjoy the serenity of the Australian outback. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Ellery-Creek-Big-Hole-Namatjira.d553248634340987480.Attraction) #### Larapinta Trail Section 10 Trailhead You can take time to visit Larapinta Trail Section 10 Trailhead during your travels to Mount Zeil. Wander the riverfront or discover the area's sunrises. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Larapinta-Trail-Section-10-Trailhead-Mount-Zeil.d642254466150830080.Attraction) #### Larapinta Trail Section 11 Trailhead You can take time to visit Larapinta Trail Section 11 Trailhead during your travels to Mount Zeil. Stroll along the riverfront or discover the area's sunrises. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Larapinta-Trail-Section-11-Trailhead-Mount-Zeil.d642254870651793408.Attraction) --- ## Top Hotel Deals ## Check availability on hotels close to Glen Helen Gorge [Tonight ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634340987486&startDate=2026-02-09&endDate=2026-02-10)[9 Feb - 10 Feb](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634340987486&startDate=2026-02-09&endDate=2026-02-10) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634340987486&startDate=2026-02-10&endDate=2026-02-11)[10 Feb - 11 Feb](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634340987486&startDate=2026-02-10&endDate=2026-02-11) [This weekend ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634340987486&startDate=13%2F02%2F2026&endDate=15%2F02%2F2026)[13 Feb - 15 Feb](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634340987486&startDate=13%2F02%2F2026&endDate=15%2F02%2F2026) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634340987486&startDate=20%2F02%2F2026&endDate=22%2F02%2F2026)[20 Feb - 22 Feb](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634340987486&startDate=20%2F02%2F2026&endDate=22%2F02%2F2026)