Gemtree's hosts, Cameron and Carmel Chalmers are a true outback team, having spent much of the early years of their marriage as pastoralists further out along the Plenty Highway. Daughter Kate, and husband Aaron McMaster have returned to Gemtree this year with their three boys Will, Tom and Mac. They will all be pleased to welcome you with typical Territory hospitality. Aaron will be our right hand while Kate will help out whenever she can. She will continue teaching (in an Alice Springs School) for a couple of days each week and also teach Tom (a third generation School of the Air student!)

 

Located 140kms North-East of Alice Springs, with a sealed road to the front gate (the Plenty Highway) Gemtree is tucked away on the banks of the Gillen Creek and is a welcome port of call for young and old. Join us for a unique outback experience on a fossicking tour to the nearby gemfields, or simply set up camp in one of our spacious sites amongst the mulgas for a 5 million star getaway. Gemtree is magical at night! 

A good yarn, a full moon and an old-fashioned campfire - a perfect end to a Gemtree day!

Photo by courtesy Danielle Fantillo 2009

For the more adventurous, there are great 4x4 routes as well. Check out our self-drive scenic tours into the beautiful Harts Ranges or travel across them and into the Eastern MacDonnells. 4x4  travellers can choose either the Cattlewater Pass or less rugged Pinnacles track (part of the new Binns Track) and visit the site of Central Australia's short -lived goldrush at Arltunga and onto the beautiful Ruby Gap before completing a loop to Alice Springs via Trephina Gorge. Stop off at Old Ambalindum where self catered accommodation is offered as well as camp sites.

For those interested in learning the history of local pastoralists and Aboriginal people, day tours will be offered through Cameron's family properties north east of Gemtree.

The beautiful Harts Ranges, just past Gemtree on the Plenty Highway.

 

Gemtree was delighted to receive almost 8inches of rain in January (188mls to be exact!)   and the Gillen Creek ran a beautiful banker. Lovely green grass appeared within days and the almost dead native scrub has sprung to life. What a great start to the year.......