East McDonnell Ranges, Finke Photos

Camping at Trephina
Binns Track
For the horse enthusiasts, a family of very beautiful wild brumbies. Mum's pregnant again
Underground in the mines
Locking Dad in Jail
Trephina Gorge, East McDonnell Ranges
Sleeping Beauties
Crossing Finke River
Ridge walking, Finke National Park
Wildflowers at Finke
Tractors crossing Australia

28th July, Back in Alice off to the Tanami

Palm Valley
Finke National Park

Back in Alice, again... the boys are thrilled as we are being particularly luxurious after a month of tents and staying in a little tin shed cabin in the caravan park where there is a jumping pillow :) The last 5 days we've spent in Finke park at Palm Valley and the East McDonnell Ranges. The recent floods meant the bogey hole track and ruby gap were closed to us which was a pity, but we still enjoyed the places we were. Palm Valley was spectacular with literally its valley of palm trees. These are the only ones in Central Australia, a legacy from the Dinosaur times, due to the unique nature of the surrounding gorge holding water and protecting the palms. Spectacular scenery around the valley and lots of river crossings going in, as the Finke is flowing, which the boys really enjoyed. The highlight for all the boys, especially the eldest was the arrival of 5 tractors towing caravans crossing from WA to Byron Bay to raise money for the Flying Doctors. Quite a sight as they all pulled in (one being towed as it had broken down going through the bogey hole). From Palm Valley we crossed the Owens Spring Reserve which was really pretty going along the river beds and bush camped by a waterhole. No people which was lovely. Then out to the East McDonnell ranges along Binns track to N'Dhala Gorge to see some aboriginal rock carvings and camped at Trephina Gorge. People had said that the East McDonnells were nicer than the West and how true that was. Much quiter and some spectacular 4wd tracks and gorges. We had a beautiful camp spot for 2 nights by the river under massive rock walls and the weather finally warmed up.

Did I mention this is the coldest, wettest winter in Alice Springs in 40 years.... Meaning it hasn't been getting much above 15 degrees and close to 0 at night, and lots of roads closed. On the plus side to some extent, everything is spectacularly green with lots of flowers in bloom. Its very hard to believe we are in desert, and the boys keep asking when are we going to get to the desert. I suspect we are going to see this most of our trip. We'll have to come back again another time to see what it is supposed to look like.

So we are now reaching temperatures above 20, which is a bit of a shock but very pleasant and good preperation as we make the big trip north. Yesterday we went out to Altunga, an old gold mine town where the boys could actually climb down ladders and go through the tunnels to great excitement (and saw a bat). Also had the opportunity to lock Dad up in a 100 year old jail which they took advantage of :)

So back in Alice, rearranging ourselves as we are back with our campertrailer after being in the tent for the last week, doing the usual loads of washing before we head off for the Tanamai desert tomorrow. We are lucky it is open as it was closed for 2 weeks after the rains a couple of weeks ago. Allowing 3 to 4 days to get across before going to the Bungle Bungles where we hope to meet up with the Cracknells for a few days. Back on line in Kunanurra in about week. Ciao!

23rd July Heading out of Alice

Well we have spent 2 days sorting out stuff in Alice and not really seeing anything. New beds for the boys, finally got our mobiles sorted out and the satellite phone, went to see the Karate Kid which the boys enjoyed and had a not so peaceful dinner with Erica, Nick, Sophie and Tom. Our darling children introduced Sophie and Tom to the concept of war, which I am sure they are really pleased about. We are now heading back towards the West McDonnell Ranges but to try and get through Finke Park and do a loop back to Alice before heading to the East McDonnell ranges. We have rearranged ourselves to travel for the next week without the Camper Trailer in the hope that some of these places will be more accessible and to have a different type of camping experience:) No photos of Alice as not the most photogenic of towns and we didn't get to do much. Oh well. Bye for another week.

West McDonnell Ranges Photos

Camping Finke River 19th July

Ormiston Gorge 19th July

Redbank Gorge 18th July

Gosse Bluff Crater 18th July

Travellers having a laugh on the Meereenie Loop, leaving souvenirs on this tree (no we didn't :()

Wild Horses on the Meereenie Loop

The Mereenie Loop Road (not as bad as it is made out to be) 18th July

Arrived in Alice Springs 20th July

Kings Canyon photos

Hi All, we have arrived in Alice Springs earlier than expected in the hope that certain roads will open up again in a few days after all the water from the storm we experienced in Uluru closed quite a few temporarily. Since leaving Uluru we camped once again near Mt Cooper before heading to Kings Canyon. Definitely a highlight and probably rivals Uluru. We did the circuit cliff tops walk which was a big walk for the kids being all up about 7km long but we all really enjoyed it. Kings Canyon is incredibly spectacular with its massive gorge, beehive domes and gardens. We even managed to find a King Brown snake about 1.5m long who was obviously confused with the seasons. From Kings Canyon we headed around the Merennie loop which is through aboriginal land and a transit pass is necessary. Beautiful countryside with both wild horses and donkey's roaming near the dirt road. From here we entered the West McDonnell ranges which are also spectacular and full of gorges. Visited Gosses Bluff which is a crater created by a comet about 142 million years ago. Really amazing sticking out of the middle of nowhere on flat plains. Bushcamped on the top of a ridge near Redbank gorge with spectacular 360degree views before walking into the gorge the next morning. The last 2 days have been spent exploring the gorges and waterholes which are all really beautiful. The boys are a bit gorged out now and thoroughly excited at being in a caravan park! However the camping highlight was last night near the Finke river with a view of Glen Helen gorge in the distance. Staying in Alice for the next couple of days to stock up on a number of things, have a look around before we head to Finke Gorge where we hope we will be able to get to Bogey Hole and through to Ernst Giles road if the river has dropped enough. Up to number 6 square on the blanket!

Chris 15th July

Hi, I am at Uluru. We met up with the Cracknells and had a more than 3 hour walk around Uluru. We walked through the Valley of Winds the next day. All the walks were tiring. This has been my favorite spot so far. Bye.

Luke 15th July

Hi, we met up with Finn at Uluru and we went rock climbing with him. Finn and his older brother came over for a sleepover in our smaller tent. We walked around Uluru and saw camels. The camels have one hump.