Go west young man!

We did. The West McDonnell Ranges. Stunning!

But, I can assure you – we are no longer young men (or women for that matter). Most of the climbs/clambers hurt, if not immediately certainly by the next day. We knew we were older than we were yesterday.

It was worth all of the physical sacrifice –  you don’t get to see this natural stuff every day. From Alice you run due west to Glen Helen picking up Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Serpentine Gorge, Ellery Creek Bighole, Ochre Pits, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge which in turn leads on to Redbank Gorge and then Gosse Bluff and in a continuing loop back east to Hermannsburg. Each, in turn, is different…..

 

 

 

 

Simpsons Gap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standley Chasm

We actually missed Serpentine Gorge cos of the bad road in  so then to…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ellery Creek Big Hole. Too photogenic, don’t know which shots to pick. Swimming allowed, water temperature 4′.

Then…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the Ochre Pits. Not as colourful as those we saw near Lyndhurst in SA but part of the local scene. Interesting that taking samples from this supposed Aboriginal site carries a bigger penalty than they get for stealing or burning a white mans car…..

 

 

 

 

I am not sure who has the weight of the law on side here. But this is not a political commentary site so shut up Barry.

Onwards, ever onwards…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to Glen Helen Gorge, where a little bird told me……?

We overnighted here for a few nights cos it was nicely placed to do and see other things….

 

 

 

 

the Gorge was sort of night lit but I’m still learning how to use this new camera so suck it up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redbank Gorge with a little look at the “sleeping lubra” first up.

Forward to the missionary position….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the settlement of Hermannsburg founded as a Lutheran Mission in the 1870’s and still sort of practising today (if the indigenous population is anything to go by). It is notable for its association with Albert Namatjira who’s house, built from artistic endeavours, is nearby ……

 

 

 

 

I guess you can’t say he lived “high on the vine”!

Back towards the campervan we headed after a long trek on a lot of dirt to get to Hermannsburg but via Gosse Bluff which is supposedly the site of a comet strike on the Earth a long time ago….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real good sunset shots still allude us but Jude mad a valiant attempt from a lookout out west….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and then it was on to bed (well after a bit of socialising)

Next day took us a little backwards to Ormiston Gorge and it is right to say “keep the best till last” cos it was.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

talk about a stairway to heaven. There is a lone ghost gum high on the gorge wall to which a walk is dedicated. Its testing but OK. The little gum tree exhibits much more determination than we did – its roots ply a course 70metres through rock to reach the water table below. This is a stunning location and as have so many sights in this part of the country it comes as a great surprise. The landscape is astonishing, dramatic, severe  and beautiful.

You’ll never never know if you never never go goes that bloody commercial for the NT but its true (so far). Its totally unexpected.