Friday 21 July 2000

First stop Simpsons Gap – a narrow gap in the Macdonnell Range hills.  A pleasant walk to reach it.  Back onto Larapinta Drive, next stop Standley Chasm.  Spoilt by having already visited the spectacular Bungle Bungles, we decided that this didn’t really warrant being a tourist attraction.  Definitely not worth the $10 we had to pay as it is on Aboriginal land. 

Turned onto Namatjira Drive.  First stop at Ellery Creek Big Hole.  This scenic waterhole set against the Ranges was far too cold to contemplate a swim!  The next attraction was Serpentine Gorge.  Lovely but rather steep walk to a spectacular vantage point providing views up the Gorge and out over the Plains.  Saw a black footed rock wallaby hopping around way below. 

Ormiston Gorge and Pound required slightly more walking but was equally enjoyable.  It also involved a short wade through freezing water.  We noticed that there were heaps of dead fish.  A notice at Glen Helen Station informed us that this was normal – the colder winter water allows a protozoan parasite to grow on the gills of the fish and this kills them.  We called into Glen Helen to purchase our permit for travelling to Gosse Bluff and along the Mereenie Loop Road (over Aboriginal land).  Didn’t stop but it looked like an excellent place to stay.  Homely and friendly.  Camped at the Woodland campsite near Redbank Gorge.  Well thought out bush camping – with gas BBQs and hobs!