West MacDonnell Ranges

10th - 17th April 2016

ORMISTON GORGE

Unfortunately  we couldn't get into Redbank Gorge. The road was still flooded from the rain over the weekend, so we started at Ormiston Gorge. The day was freezing cold. Temperature read 12 degrees, feels like 6!!!!! At least the sun was struggling through again.

Great campground.

We didn't get there and set up until late in the day, so only had a quick look at the Gorge and then back to the van to get toasty warm. Doonas and the hot water bottles. Cosy!

There are a couple of walks at Ormiston.  The first morning we did the short walk to the lookout. 

WOW! WOW! WOW!

The ranges are breathtakingly, stunningly, beautiful at every turn. The red red rock. Green green foliage. Blue blue sky. 

Still chilly first thing. Had to break out the beanie.

From the track looking back towards the campground.

Happy hikers at the lookout.

A lot of the rock is like this. Thin layer upon layer.

Lots of very spikey spinnifex.

Narrow track through the gorge.

Steps up...steps down. Dezziz favourites!

The lowdown on the formation.

The walk is called Ghost Gum walk. These magnificent trees are in their hundreds. Majestic.

Looking down to the waterhole from the lookout.

View up the gorge. 

Just in one area there were a cluster of these bushes. They almost looked like holly. Even got the bumble bee!

Such delicate little flowers survive in the rock. Amazing!

Back down the steps to camp.

This is the Spiny Cheeked Honeyeater. They were everywhere and kept us entertained in the bushes at camp.

That's when Dez had his eyes open 😉

As well as the Juvenile Spiny-Cheeked Honeyeater.

We LOVE the Weber Baby Q. I never thought a bbq could be so good. We decided to give pizza a go. Bloody delicious! Definitely going to be a regular.

Yum scrum. In fact so good we had pizza and of course the odd red wine again the next night.

The next morning the clouds finally disappeared so we went down to the waterhole for the morning. A couple of hours sitting on the beach in the sun and no one else around. Ahhh the serenity!

The roots of the ancient ghost gums along the creek are amazing and the trees are huge.

So calm. The reflections were beautiful.

Always fascinates me how trees cling onto the rock.

The water reflections and ripples on the cave roof were lovely. The only sounds were the drip of water down the rock face and bird calls.

The view.

Just us.

A rare wildlife sighting!

These little spinnifex pigeons were hilarious. They were like little wind up toys scurrying all through the camp full pelt!

The view from our camper. Not bad!

Friday and Deb and Harry caught up with us. Yeah! Our travelling buddies are finally here. Happy days.

We left Dez behind to mind the pigeons and headed out to do the full Ghost Gum walk. You never tire of the spectacular landscape. Turns out we couldn't - well wouldn't - cross over the creek down the far end because it was deep and freezing. Required swimming across. So we just waded on the same side and crossed at a shallower spot.

Best buddies here at last!

Looking down to the turn around point.

Amazing reflections.

So happy to be doing this together.

Only calf deep here. Perfect.

By the time we finished it was midday and hot. So.... rash decision.... big breath and run and plunge into the freezing water. Crazy, but so much fun! Fully clothed ha ha ha! Just as well I have quick dry walking clothes.

Harry and I have decided we are going to plunge into every waterhole we come across. The challenge is on!

Time for a hair cut. Deb has arrived with the clippers.

And first night celebrations around the campsite bbq. Life is great!

OCHRE PITS

Pack up and hit the road again. A stop off at the Ochre Pits. Just a short walk in and look around stop.

These coloured cliffs were fascinating. All different colours  blended together. Hope you can read the info.

The colours are amazing how they are in strips of colour. The Aboriginal use the ground rock with oil to make a paste to use for either ceremonial or medicinal purposes.

ELLERY CREEK BIG HOLE

Two nights here. Basic campground but not bad for ten bucks a night.

The waterhole is spectacular, of course. The water, freezing cold, of course. The walks more wow factor, of course.

The obligatory dingo wandering through the campground.

The Dolomite Walk was the first order of the day. Nice and easy!

Right up Dezziz alley!

And then....the plunge! Aaaarrrggg!!! 

Another one done!

Most people only managed up to their ankles ha ha ha!

So relaxing here. We set up on the beach like we were at Mooloolaba for the afternoon. In between reading, it was hilarious to watch other people taking the plunge!

The local heron.

These blue dragonflies were zipping all over the place. Their wings almost clear. So pretty.

Later in the afternoon Deb and I walked up the hill behind the camp to get a different perspective of the waterhole and the view east.

Looking east.

Looking south.

Ellery Creek Big Hole Gap.

Looking down to the camp.

You can just see the water.

We had a great time here. Really starting to relax. We are meeting so many great, interesting people.

STANDLEY CHASM

An overnight stay here. Park anywhere in the car park ha ha! It was actually really good. Power, hot showers, free washing machine. After no showers at Ellery, and only a sink wash this was very exciting.

Two walks to do here. The short walk to Standley Chasm and the Scenic Loop Walk. So just a bit of trivia. Standley Chasm is named after old Ida Standley who was the first white person to see said chasm. She was the first school teacher in Alice Springs from 1914! Good old Ida. 

We did the chasm walk straight up on arrival while the sun was at high noon shining straight down into the chasm.

More stunning rock formations.

Lovely, easy path.

Thought this was a cute seat.

First glimpse of the chasm.

More wow factor! It is so huge. There are some people at the far end you can hardly see. They are dwarfed by the height of the rock.

Deb having a rest on another cute seat.

After lunch and taking full advantage of the free washing machine it was off to do the Scenic Loop Trail.

More rocky paths and steps up.

Another scramble up a steep path...but, man, the view was absolutely worth it!

We made it....puffing and panting!

Back down again to continue on.

Massive cycads everywhere here. So much more lush than Ormiston and Ellery.

Down into the valley to walk along the rocky creek bed.

Flanked by the rocks.

The ghost gums are so impressive.

We got back about four o'clock so I decided to go straight back out to the chasm to see the rock in a different light. It was so peaceful. No one else there. Just to sit and absorb the solitude was so relaxing. The rock so much darker in the shadows.

Selfie.

Back to camp. The path has just been redone so easy fast walk back before dark.

SIMPSON'S GAP

Short walk stop for Simpson's  Gap. Spotted this little rock wallaby. They have such pretty faces.

Simpson's Gap.

Lovely waterhole but unfortunately Harry and I couldn't continue our "swim at every gorge" challenge! Bugga!!!

The West MacDonnell Ranges are a must do for anyone travelling in this area. The walking trails are great. The landscape is stunning at every turn. A great place to relax and absorb nature.

Back into Alice Springs for 3-4 hours to restock food, wine, fuel and water. Check emails and make a few calls.

Next camp is the East MacDonnell Ranges for a week at Trephina Gorge.