May 3 West MacDonnell Ranges

On Tuesday, our tour guide daughter took us on a marvellous trip to explore the West MacDonnell Ranges. Ruby was fortunate to have been on a coach tour of this area a couple of weeks ago, so we got to enjoy a similar trip and she even remembered some of the stories that were told by the tour guide.

First stop today was Simpson's Gap. As the name suggests, this is a "gap" in the mountain range. The place is beautiful. Very hard to capture the size of the rocks and the all-round vistas.

Judith & Ruby walk in to Simpson's Gap

Getting closer and gap looks narrower

The views are almost as good looking away from the gap

Next stop is Ruby's favourite - Ellory Creek Big Hole. This is another beautiful place that magically appears from the rugged landscape and provides a swimming hole. There are very good facilities here also for picnicing and camping, although no dogs are allowed. Don't say anything, but we snuck our dogs in and no-one noticed. Just quietly, we do the same again when we visit more National Parks in the NT.

Ellery Creek Big Hole

Not quite swimming weather but Ruby was brave to venture in to her ankles

Just beautiful...and the scenery's not bad either

What a clever daughter...

The dogs enjoy the picnic facilties

After Ellery Creek we drove on toward Ormiston Gorge. There is also Glen Helen, but Ruby was less impressed with that place so we set off for Ormiston. Along the way we saw a sign for a turn-off to Serpentine Gorge. That sounds nice, we thought. So we turned off onto a dirt road. It was a rough and rocky road. We persevered for maybe 1km and then gave up and turned back for the main road. There were no signs about the road at the entrance, however when coming back the other way later there was an advisory sign saying the road was not suitable for caravans. I would like to add that it is also unsuitable for Mazda 121s. We drove on to Ormiston Gorge.

It was worth the drive. Another stunning rock surrounded water hole. This place was even bigger than the previous places we had seen. We noted good camping and picnic facilties again as well, although sadly they also did not want to let our dogs in. Maybe we will come back another time and enjoy staying at this place when we don't have to worry about the dogs.

Ormiston Gorge

Ruby on the rock siding to the gorge

More views of the gorge, and Ruby

This is a picture of the reflection off the water
No alterations were made to this photograph, I even held my camera up-side-down to take the photo.

Woops, I forgot about one of the stops, which was Standley's Chasm. Another remarkable place with staggering views of huge sheer rocky walls and a narrow opening between them.

The lovely walk into Standley Chasm

Mother and daughter enjoying the walk and the surroundings

Huge rocky cliffs in the background

And here's the chasm!

Still the naughty one...

Ruby using her charm