After a quick trip to Redbank Gorge to drop off our new friend Erin, we walked the rocky gorge channel. There was no water and not much to see- give it a miss. We camped at the closest spot- Glen Helen Gorge, about 130kms west of Alice Springs as it was about 3pm and we were tired. In retrospect, we should have camped at Ormiston Gorge where there are only 20 sites and a great cafe run by a Mum home schooling two of the cutest 5 year olds that asked our kids to play in the kindest way. Although you can have fires at campsites at Glen Helen, ours was so close it would have set the camper alight. Although you can get a alcoholic beverage if you take out a mortgage.
Tip for beginners: when travelling on a long dirt road don't put fresh eggs in the fridge - the vibrations smash them. Omelettes for dinner.
Glen Helen Gorge
Up early to do a great walk to Glen Helen gorge which is connected to Finke River- a major water source for the region. If it wasn't so early in the morning, we could have swam around the corner for about 10mins to reach the 'organ pipes' rock formation where a romantic dreamtime story occurred (not this time).
A scene from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince when the Weasley's house was destroyed?
An absolutely beautiful gorge, peaceful, lush with water and stillness. I was looking forward to the Aboriginal acapella choir singing here on Sunday as part of the Desert Song Festival but found out that it has been cancelled because of the rain - boo.
Ochre Pits
A sacred site where the local Arranta peoples still harvest the ochre for medicinal purposes and ceremonial usage. They mix ochre with fat and paint it on the skin. If you nick any it's a $5000 fine.
Standley Chasm is a private reserve owned by the Iwupataka Land Trust and is operated by local Aboriginal descendants. Entry is $30 for a family which has obviously been spent on building a great walking track and interpretive signage. A special place formed about 50m years ago by a river running through a crack (basically).
Leave the eggs their original cardboard carton and pack them into a tight space. We bought a you beaut plastic container will individual mounts for each egg intended to protect them on tough roads. Lost the lost first time we used it! Was no second time.
ReplyDeleteOur extra eggs in the cardboard did survive
DeleteOrmiston is gorgeous and Standley was spectacular watching the walls change colour at midday. Brilliant country.
ReplyDeleteSorry about Glen Helen Gorge camping retreat. It sounded good in the brochure. I thought that Ormiston Gorge campsite had closed. Good to know all this. The walk there is memorable.
ReplyDeleteStanley Chasm is great.
Keen to hear about the Desert Park in Alice. Haven't been yet.
Desert Park was great. Expensive but the talks, into movie and bird show was very professional.
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