GlenHelenislocated133kmwestofAliceSpringsattheendofthesealedsectionofroadknownasNamatjiraDrive.NooneknowswhonamedtheregionbutitwasoneofthefirstpastoralleasesinCentralAustralia.Thefirstowner,AlanBraeden,overlandedstockover2000kmandbuiltahouse,MungaMunga,onthebankofOrmistonCreek.Itisnownothingmorethanapileofrubble.
TodaythetermGlenHelenisappliedtothelodge,thegorgenearthelodgeandthesurrounding368hectareNatureParkcontrolledbytheConservationCommissionoftheNorthernTerritory.
TheGlenHelenGorgeisformedfromquartzite.Sandstonewasdepositedintheareasome500millionyearsagowhenitwasahugeinlandsea.Itwassubsequentlytiltedanduplifted.AsthisupliftwasoccurringtheFinkeRiverslowlyerodeditswaythroughthemountainrange.
GlenHelenisknowntolocalAboriginesasYapalpeandtheFinkeRiverisLarapintawhichmeans'serpent'.ItwasafavouritemeetingplacefortheAboriginalpeoplefromtheWestandCentralMacDonnellRanges.