Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve is accessed just 75km south of
Alice Springs from a turn-off along the Stuart Highway. A 22km access road that is unsealed with sandy patches leads to the reserve, which offers vehicle access,
camping and walking.
The area gets it name from the scenic
sandstone bluffs and cliffs that show
rainbow-coloured bands. These are particularly striking at dawn/dusk when the colours are enhanced.
How to Use this Trek Note
If you'd like to download this Trek there are two options:
- Purchase our app ExplorOz Traveller. This Australian-made GPS & Navigation app will allow you to download all the ExplorOz Treks to your GPS enabled smartphone/tablet/iPad or laptop and enable active route guidance along the route as per the Directions shown on this page. The app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. The app also allows you to edit/customise the route. Viewing the Trek in the Traveller app also includes all the words, images and POIs exactly as on the website (excludes Wildflowers). For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage.
- Alternatively, if you already have another raster mapping software program you can Download this route in GPX format using the button shown below the map on this page .
TIP | To purchase our maps for offline use, you will need to purchase the EOTopo 2021 map licence. To install the maps you will need the ExplorOz Traveller app. |
Environment
The coloured
rock bands in the
sandstone cliffs were caused by water. In earlier, wetter times the red iron of the
sandstone layers were dissolved and drawn to the surface during the dry season. The red minerals formed a dark, iron rich surface layer with the leached white layers below. This dark red capping is hard, and weathers slowly, whereas the softer white
sandstone below weathers quickly into loose sand. Weathering and erosion have also produced the valley shape, where
sandstone blocks have eroded into
rock faces and squared towers.
Surrounding the James Range are spinifex dominated sand plains and claypans.
History
The traditional owners (Upper Southern Arrernte people) call the area Wurre. The Reserve has important archaelogical sites and artefacts which are evidence of ancient Aboriginal occupation in the area. A spread of black rocks at the northern base of the main
rock formation is significant as is a large
rock massif, known as 'Ewerre' which is a registered scared site.
TrekID: 223