West MacDonnell Ranges

Alice Springs is located at a gap between the East and West MacDonnell ranges, a line of ancient outcrops. The West MacDonnells make for some spectacular views and on the 20th we took a bike ride on a bike path to Simpson's Gap. On the 22nd we used a hire car to ride out to the end of the sealed road while our truck was being repaired, taking in several sights along the way and enjoying great views north and south of the quartzite outcrops that are all that remains of an imposing 4000m (13000ft) mountain range.

First stop was Standley Chasm where a seasonal creek has cut two sheer sided narrow gorges through the quartzite. We hiked through the gorge and up to a viewpoint high above. Next we visited Ellery Creek Big Hole, a rare permanent waterhole then an ochre pit where Aboriginals mined the coloured minerals important in their art and ceremonies. Final stop was at Ormiston Gorge where water falling on Ormiston Pound (a huge bowl between sheer ridges occasionally pours down through a large gorge. Here Tracy went to a talk on identifying animal signs while Tim hiked a trail through the gorge and skirting the Pound.