Extract date: 25/12/2025
| Name | Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park |
|---|---|
| Type Designation | Reserve |
| Place Id | 23566 |
| Place Type | Administrative Area |
| Status | Assigned |
| Date Registered | |
| Location (Datum GDA94) | |
| Latitude: -23° 38' S (Decimal degrees -23.6492) | |
| Longitude: 133° 08' E (Decimal degrees 133.1374) | |
| Locality / Suburb | |
| Braitling | |
| Burt Plain | |
| Larapinta | |
| Mount Zeil | |
| Local Government Area | |
| MacDonnell Shire Council | |
| History/Origin | Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park, formerly known as West MacDonnell National Park, was officially dual named in 2014 to honour both its European and Aboriginal heritage. The term 'Tjoritja' (pronounced choor-it-ja) is the Western and Central Aranda name for the MacDonnell Ranges, though it does not have a specific meaning.? The MacDonnell Ranges were named by explorer John McDouall Stuart on 12 April 1860 during his fourth expedition into Australia's interior. He named the ranges after Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell, who was the Governor of South Australia at that time. ?It appears that explorer William Harry Tietkens applied West MacDonnell name on 27 March 1889. Tietkens led an expedition in 1889 that explored areas west of Alice Springs, during which he documented and named several geographical features. ? The park now encompasses areas that were once separate entities including: Ellery Creek Big Hole Scenic Reserve, Simpsons Gap National Park, Glen Helen Gorge Nature Park, and Ormiston Gorge and Pound Scenic Reserve, Serpentine Gorge Scenic Reserve. This consolidation reflects a broader effort to recognize and preserve both the natural beauty and cultural significance of the region. |
| Date | Gazettal | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 24/04/2012 | S18 | |
| 15/10/2014 | G41 |