NT Travel: Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park (East MacDonnell Ranges) Information and Attractions, Northern Territory, Australia

Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park

East MacDonnell National Park - NT, Australia

Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park
• Emily & Jessie Gaps
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> Emily Gap
> Jessie Gap
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Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park (East MacDonnell National Park)

Located just 10 km east of Alice Springs, Emily and Jessie Gaps in the Heavitree Range, are easily accessible for those exploring the magnificent East MacDonnell Ranges.

With many places in the landscape associated with the same dreamtime story, and together forming a ‘dreaming trail’, Emily and Jessie Gaps are associated with the ‘Caterpillar Dreaming’ of the Central Arrernte Aboriginal people.

With its gorge scenery and art site Emily Gap is probably 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 Simpsons Desert.

Walks and Picnics
There are short walking tracks leading into both Emily and Jessie Gaps. There are also picnic facilities, with toilets facilities available at Jessie Gap.

The park is accessible all year, with the cooler months (April to September) being the most popular times to visit.

Source: Park signage and
Parks and Wildlife Service, Northern Territory - Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park

For more information contact the:

Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory - Alice Springs Region

Central Australian Visitor Information Centre

Parks and Wildlife fact sheet for Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park (597 Kb PDF)

Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park Attractions

Emily Gap
• Anthwerrke, the Arrernte name for Emily Gap, is a traditional site of major importance. It is part of the storyline for the Three Caterpillars: Yeperenye, Ntyarlke and Utnerrengatye, which are ancestral beings for the Alice Springs area. Arrernte people conceived in Alice Springs consider themselves direct descendants of these Caterpillar ancestors.

The Caterpillar story is recorded in a gallery of rock paintings within the gap.

The name Emily Gaps first appeared in the early 1870s on maps of central Australia by W.W. Mills, a surveyor employed on the Overland Telegraph Line. There is no positive trace of why this name was chosen.

Please note: during wetter seasons the Gap fills with water and you may be unable to view the paintings.

Source: Park signage and Parks and Wildlife Service, Northern Territory

Jessie Gap
• Atherrke is the Arrernte name for Jessie Gap. Jessie and Emily Gaps are associated with storylines for the Three Caterpillars: Yeperenye, Ntyarlke and Utnerrengatye.

The Emu story line also has a relationship with this site. The white sand against the ridge to the east of this gap represents the emu fat.

The name Jessie Gap first appeared in the early 1870s on maps of central Australia by W.W. Mills, a surveyor employed on the Overland Telegraph Line. There is no positive trace of why this name was chosen.

Source: Park signage and Parks and Wildlife Service, Northern Territory