Yeperenye Trail (The Three Caterpillars) is an 8km, grade 2 hike located in the Yeperenye / Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park, Northern Territory. The one way hike should take around 2-3 hrs to complete.
Hike overview
The gentle Yeperenye Trail (The Three Caterpillars) takes you along the foothills of the East MacDonnell Ranges, allowing you to explore the local flora and fauna. It is wheelchair accessible (with assistance) for 500m from Emily Gap. You can also ride your bike along the trail.
A Yeperenye trail was officially opened in mid 2021. The trail is the biggest investment in public infrastructure by an Aboriginal group in Central Australia. More than 30 Aboriginal workers put their hands together to set up the 7.2-kilometre trail. What’s impressive is the fact that all the work was done by hand and cultural supervisors were there during every step of the way to protect the important cultural and spiritual sights in the park.
White this is described as a one way hike from Emily to Jessie Gap, it can be completed in the opposite direction or as a 16km return hike. If you are completing this as a one way hike, a car shuffle will be required.
The Yeperenye / Emily and Jessie Gaps are probably the first and the most noticeable features of the East MacDonnell Ranges. Labelled a nature park, they provide lovely opportunities to enjoy hiking, cycling, rock painting exploration and exciting meetings with local wildlife.
The two gaps belong to the Heavitree Range and they’ve long been considered key spiritual sights to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people. Various other spots in the region have a similar statute and together, they form a Song Line or a so-called dream trail through the region.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 600 m
Min elevation: 548 m
Total climbing: 312 m
Total descent: -332 m
Trail features
- Gravel Path
- Well Marked Trail
- Prams & Strollers
- Manual Wheelchair
- Motorised Wheelchair
- Bicycle Trail
- Mountain Bike Trail
- Trail Running
- Aboriginal Art
- Swimming Spots
Tips
Emily Gap is a registered sacred site. It is the home of a large rock painting. The gap is associated with a dreamtime story about the caterpillar beings of Mparntwe / Alice Springs. These caterpillars were the ones that formed the gap, as well as many other topographical features of the region. In the painting, you will get to see the caterpillar sleeping. It’s one of the most popular landmarks in the nature reserve.
Trail location
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Getting there
The Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park welcomes visitors year-round but the best time to go there is considered from April to September. The park is located about 10 kilometres east of Alice Springs on Ross Highway.
Access conditions
- 2WD Access
- Bitumen Road
- Large Car Park
- Accessible Parking
- Public Toilets
- Untreated Water
- Campfire Pit
About the region
Emily and Jessie Gaps, small Gaps in the Heavitree Range are the first features you come to on your trip into the East MacDonnell Ranges. They contain interesting Aboriginal paintings and are important spiritual sites to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people.
Many places in the landscape are associated with the same dreamtime story. Together these places form a ‘dreaming trail’. Emily and Jessie Gap are both associated with the caterpillar trail. 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 Simpson Desert.
Emily Gap (Anthwerrke) is a registered sacred site. A large rock painting depicts the caterpillar dreaming. Please respect the site and do not touch any Aboriginal art.
The first European sighting of Emily and Jessie Gap was in 1871. It was thought that ‘Emily’ and ‘Jessie’ were the daughters of Sir Charles Todd, but this was found to be untrue. The basis on which the names are derived is unknown.
Nestled between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, ‘The Alice’ (Alice Springs) is famous for its beautiful desert landscapes, colourful outback characters, opportunities for adventure and a strong Aboriginal culture. Alice Springs is a remote town in Australia’s Northern Territory, halfway between Darwin and Adelaide, both 1,500km away. It’s a popular gateway for exploring the Red Centre, the country's interior desert region.
Explore Safe
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Let someone know
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
Gear to consider
My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.
3 Reviews on “Yeperenye Trail Walk (8km)”
This is an enjoyable walk. Not at all challenging but has some great scenery.