Day 106 - Friday 19th April 2024

If I were to sum today up, it would be Gorge, Pits, Big Hole, Chasm and Gap. Let me expand a little!

Up with the alarm at 06:00, and into breakfast before heading out at 08:30. A stop off for fuel and a visit to the supermarket for razor blades as all of mine are blunt (I ended up having to buy a new razor as they didn't have the right blades!) before heading out to explore the West MacDonnell National Park. 

When I spoke to the information office yesterday, they suggested that I start distant and work my way back, so I set out for Ormiston Gorge 137 kilometres away. I stopped off en route at Point Howard Lookout, and also Neil Hargrave Lookout for the views of the West MacDonnell range.

On arrival at Ormiston Gorge I set out on the path to the water hole. It was a beautiful spot where the water hole was against a cliff on one side, with a sandy beach on the other. I crossed the stream exiting the pool via a fallen tree trunk, and had an explore of the beach side before taking the path back.

Near the car park I had spotted a sign to a path to a lookout that promised that 'lots of stairs were worth the view'. I figured it couldn't possibly be 500 like I found at Kings Canyon, so followed the path up to the Ghost Gum Lookout. This turned out to be a platform high above the pool that I'd visited before, and the views from the top were definitely worth the effort.

Back down, and a coffee was purchased from the small shop by the car park before I left to start working my way back to Alice Springs.

Next stop was at Ochre Pits where the indigenous peoples have mined the multi coloured rocks for their paints for millennia. Along a path, and down into dry river bed bought me to a spot where I could view the multi coloured cliffs. A sign had asked that we didn't take anything or touch the cliffs, but as always there are some folks who just cannot respect these wishes. 

Back to the car and the next entry into my sat nav was Ellery Creek Big Hole. Into the car park, and along a path bought me to a large pool of water nestled against cliffs with an opening through to the desert beyond. This had been sold as a swimming hole, but there was nobody taking a dip today; to me the water didn't look very inviting. So, after a few photos and videos it was back onto the road again.

Standley Chasm was the next stop, and it turned out the be the hands down highlight of the day. This site is owned by the local indigenous people, so I paid the entry fee and made my way along the 1.2 kilometre path. The path became rougher towards the end and captured my whole attention, but when I did look up it was one of those 'oh wow' moments. What I had before me was a 10 metre wide gully with sheer rock walls rising on either side. Where they caught the sun they glowed a fantastic orange colour, and at the far end a pool of water blocked the end of the chasm, allowing a tantalising glimpse of the trees and continuing gorge beyond.

This place was spectacular to stand in, and well worth the entry fee. It is little wonder that this is considered a sacred place, and I feel privileged to have been allowed to visit such a place.

Back to the car once more, and time left to visit the final planned site of the day, and Simpsons Gap just a few kilometres from Alice Springs. I parked up at 15:00, and took the 10 minute walk to the pool of water that blocked off the pass through the cliffs. Once again, I could see the desert and trees through the other side of the cliffs and pool, but the way was barred ..... in the words of GtG 'YOU SHALL NOT PASS'.

Back to the main road, and the short drive back into Alice Springs and my hotel. Dinner at 17:30, and then back to the room to review the day. Another big(ish) driving day tomorrow as I head for Tennant Creek with one planned stopoff on the way. 

note: GtG - Gandalf the Grey ..... it's a Lord of the Rings reference.