This morning we were on the move comparatively early to enable us to get to the various scenic locations before the forecast 30+ degree heat caught up with us.
On leaving the Resort, we turned west onto Namatjira Drive and drove about 25 kilometres to Redbank Gorge. The road in was very corrugated gravel and went for about 8 kilometres. The road ended in a car park where it also told us about the walk in front of us. Also, there was an article about the Larapinta Trail. I am pleased I drove from Alice Springs when you see some of the trail!
We strolled into the Gorge and Prue took numerous photos. Unfortunately, the Gorge was dry so we only had dry loose sand to walk on. Our walk took us some distance in until we decided that we had come far enough. So we returned to our vehicle. As we drove out we notice quite a large number of campers in the camping areas. Maybe we should have been in one of these than the second rate Resort!
Our next destination was the Mount Sonder lookout
that is just over the road from Glen Helen Gorge. It was time for a quick look and some photos before we moved onto the famous Ormiston Gorge.
The car park at Ormiston Gorge is quite large and by the time we left there were many vehicles in it. There is a visitor’s centre which has extensive descriptions of the area with advice on the various walks.
Prue wanted to go to the lookout and get some photos. I made a tentative start but returned to the car park as my knee was not working at all well. So I made my way down to the waterhole in the Gorge. There was a small amount of water in it but it did not look at all enticing to swim in. As I walked back, I saw Prue up in the lookout.
Prue ended in doing the whole Ghost Gum walk and was away for about 2 hours. She told me it was stunning and that I would not have made easy work of the path. Just what I needed to hear! Anyway she took some great photos.
While Prue was walking, I made a coffee and chatted to various people as they passed by the covered area I was in. When Prue returned, I made her a coffee, too.
Then we set off to the Ochre Pit which is in a creek.
It was a few kilometres further along the road. Again, into the car park and we read the information about this ochre. It is a mixture of various amounts of clay and iron oxide and the white was kaolin. It is in vertical layers and is astonishing to see. There is so much of it. The aborigines have used it for ceremonial decorations. It is a sacred men’s location and the women are only given some for the same functions. They used it mixed with various animal fats or eucalyptus leaves for a variety of medical conditions. Visitors are asked not to touch or remove any of it and a fine of up to $5000 can be applied to those that do.Then we returned for a late lunch and another of Prue’s homemade cappuccinos which are usually superior to a lot of the ones we have tasted on the way. The afternoon was quite hot, up to the mid 30 degrees. So any sensible people go for shade and coolness. Looking from our Karavan we can see numerous people walking in Glen Helen Gorge without hats or water and often just with thongs on their feet. About 300 metres from our location is a helipad for visitors to take flights ranging in price from $50.00 for about 10 minutes around the Gorge and obviously more for further away trips.
The afternoon had us taking it fairly quietly as it was very warm, but nice. Late in the afternoon we walked down to the resort to have an ice cream and a cool drink while sitting in the shade looking at the cliffs leading into Glen Helen Gorge.
As usual, we had a BBQ and vegetables for dinner helped along by our red wine. A near caravan park neighbour, Col, came over for a chat and he and his wife may accompany me across the Plenty Highway to Boulia, next week, with their camper trailer and four wheel drive.
So the day ended for our visit to the West MacDonnell ranges.
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