West MacDonnell Ranges

Simpsons Gsp

Ellery Creek Big Hole

Serpentine Girge

Our campsite Ormiston Gorge

After enjoying the East MacDonnell Ranges so much we set off the explore the west wondering if it could get any better.
First stop was Simpsons Gap. Beautiful spot although I have to say we were a wee over 'gaps' by now. We skipped Stanley's Chasm as we were too early in the day to get the best of this. Midday is the best time to view this spot.
We continued onto Ellery Creek Big Hole which surprisingly had water still in it, although a bit green for our liking there were others swimming in it.
Next stop was Serpentine Gorge which was a bit over-rated and as a word of warning the access road was one of the worst bits of gravel road we've been on so far.
Our next stop was Ormiston Gorge where we set up camp for the night. Now after a day of feeling a bit let down, this place really did deliver. The bird life was amazing and we even had a dingo walk right across in front of us. Rob cooked me a awesome roast dinner for my birthday and we sat back and enjoyed the stars and the quiet over a nice bottle of red. Yes a bottle - thought we would lash out. Cask wine has been the go since we set off on our journey as it travels safer but dam it is hard to buy in NT. apparently favorite drink of the locals and each town has restrictions on access. Alice Springs you can only buy 2 litres per person per day and only between 6pm and 9pm AND only at 2 outlets in town. Ahhhhhh
Anyway I digress. The next morning we were up bright & early to complete the Ormiston Pound walk which completes a circuit from the car park, meandering around scenic slopes, dropping into the flat expanse of the pound and returning along Ormiston Gorge via the main waterhole. A walk said to be 7km, 3-4 hours medium difficultly. Now our problem was we didn't decipher the description properly. Scenic slopes meant you should be a goat and returning via main waterhole meant you would spend over an hour an half scrambling over boulders & rocks. All said though it was a magnificent walk and we both enjoyed it so much (ps I clocked it and it was 9.2km - cannot trust NPWS)
Glen Helen was our next stop before heading back to Alice but to be honest after our walk we couldn't get any real enthusiasm up for it so just a quick look and back to town to get ready for the Rock!!