Thursday 13 - 15th August

From Alice we set off to explore Tjoritja- The West Macdonnell Ranges. Our first stop - pretty Simpson's Gap where we sighted our first black footed Wallaby.

Then onto Standley Chasm

Ellery Creek Big Hole- a spectacular gorge provided our camping spot for the night, 91km from Alice Springs. There is a large permanent waterhole (water is freezing) but good for paddle boarding or a refreshing dip.

Following the Larapinta Trail we next visited some Ochre pits lining a dry creek bed. In Traditional Western Arrernte Society ochre was used almost daily. Nowdays some of these traditional uses have been replaced by modern methods. It was central to the preparation of many medicines and is still widely used in religious ceremony and for decoration. It has always been an essential household item. Only men and boys are permitted to collect the ochre, yet women are supplied with enough for their own ceremonies. The various coloured ochre, mainly yellow, white & red are weathered limestone with iron-oxide creating the colours.

We spent the next evening in awe of Ormiston Gorge- a majestic chasm in the West Macdonnell Ranges. There is a waterhole shaded with ghost gums. It's a haven for wildlife, namely dingo & kangaroo.

We have shared camp with Dingo's each night, a little braizen for my liking. Luca had one circling whilst he was reading at night.