Northern Territory · Attraction
Yeperenye / Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park
Rock art in a sacred gap
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Just 10 kilometres east of Alice Springs, this compact nature park protects two small gaps in the ancient Heavitree Range and some of the most accessible Aboriginal rock art in Central Australia. The site is deeply significant to the Eastern Arrernte people, whose Caterpillar Dreaming story explains the very formation of the ranges around Alice Springs.
Emily Gap, known in Eastern Arrernte as Anthwerrke, is a narrow water gap where a seasonal waterhole reflects the ochre walls above. A short walking track leads into the gorge past information panels that explain the caterpillar ancestral story painted in red ochre on the rock face. Traditional owners ask visitors to refrain from touching or photographing the art, keeping the experience respectful and quiet.
Jessie Gap sits a few kilometres further east along Ross Highway and offers a more open, picnic-friendly setting with fire pits and toilets. Both gaps are great spots for birdwatching, with species such as the grey-headed honeyeater and spinifex pigeon often seen around the waterhole. The park is easily reached on a sealed road and suits all vehicle types, making it the most accessible East MacDonnell stop for visitors on a day trip from town.
Scenic views
