Awestruck by the beauty of Ormiston Gorge

Awestruck by the beauty of Ormiston Gorge

Sunday 22^nd – Tuesday 24^th October

Ormiston Gorge is very impressive – towering rich red quartzite rock, dotted with ghost gums, with large boulders aligning the dry creek bed and several swimming holes. It is just stunning. I've included lots of photos in the blog as there was just amazing, 'photo-worthy' scenery everywhere we looked, however, as good as some of the photos are, they still don't quite capture just how remarkable Ormiston Gorge is. We really enjoyed our time at this special place.

Whilst camping at Ormiston Gorge we:

• Did the 9km Ormiston Pound loop walk. Daniel and Emilia did it on the first morning as Jackson was unwell so I stayed back with him. The next morning Jackson felt better, so he came with Daniel and I. This walk is Daniel’s favourite walk so he was more than happy to do it two days in a row. Emilia and Daniel got a spectacular sunrise from the lookout, but it was too smoky and cloudy on the morning Jackson, Daniel and I went, however once the sun finally broke through the clouds it was stunning. The walk then takes you in the pound where the sheer size of everything is just breathtaking. The last part of the walk is along the dry creek bed, in between the soaring gorge walls.
• Walked to the Ghost Gum lookout, affording us stunning views over Ormiston Gorge and the surrounding ranges.
• Went to nearby Redbank Gorge, where Daniel and I did the short walk to see the swimming hole and narrow gorge walls at the end (Jackson was sick and Emilia was tired after her early morning walk).
• Had dinner down on the banks of the Finke River and watched the sunset through a smoky haze.
• Swam, relaxed and kept ourselves cool down at the waterhole.
• Watched the beautiful Major Mitchell cockatoos.

As we drove towards Ormiston Gorge we could Mt Sonder in the distance - the smoke haze made this photo look like an old watercolour painting.

Emilia and her favourite Ghost Gum at Ormiston waterhole

Enjoying the cool water at Ormiston Gorge

Looking out over Ormiston Gorge to the fires in the distance- they were several ranges away but the smoke was very visible, and it got thicker over the 2 days we were there.

The view from the Ghost Gum lookout when Emilia and Daniel did the walk on the first night (I stayed back with Jackson who was unwell).

Although I didn't do the whole Ghost Gum walk with them, I still met them at a high point to watch the sunset over the ranges.

Another night, another amazing sunset

The next group of photos are from when Emilia and Daniel did the Ormiston Pound walk- they left at 5.15am and were rewarded with an incredible sunrise.

Some drone shots showing the size of Ormiston Pound and the surrounding ranges- you can just make out the walking track. For the last 2.5kms you walk through the dry river bed with the imposing ranges on either side - it is stunning.

Redbank Gorge - the water did not look very inviting to me but Daniel still went for a swim.

We went to a lookout on the way home from Redbank Gorge - you could see how the fires had burnt up the range and were still smouldering.

We spent the heat of the day enjoying the cool water and shade down at the waterhole.

The lone Ghost Gum at the lookout of the same name.

From the lookout I could see right down to where Daniel and the kids were relaxing on the sand.

Relaxing and keeping cool at the Finke River, waiting for the sunset

Emilia cooked us vegetarian nachos for dinner- it was delicious

What an incredible spot for dinner!

Rinsing the dishes, bush style :)


These two drone photos show the extent of the fires and smoke in the area



The next group of photos are from the morning Daniel, Jackson and I did the Ormiston Pound walk. Jackson did so great as he still wasn't feeling 100% but he didn't want to miss out on doing the walk.

We started the walk in the dark, but soon enough the dawn light lit the way.

We walked fast to get to the lookout for sunrise, but the cloud cover and smoke haze meant we missed out.

Once the sun finally made it past the clouds it was still beautiful.

After the lush green area we'd just walked through, the inside of the 'pound' seemed very sparse, although just as beautiful.

The rocks are just so breathtaking

Walking along the dry river bed, through the gorge

These rocks were like heaps of large slabs piled up, they looked so interesting.

Jackson took this photo of us laying back and enjoying our surroundings.....

Then he started playing with the photo settings and took this photo. I think it looks like we are dolls put on a rock- the perspective gives a very strange effect.

It wasn't even 7am yet, but Jackson was already so hot that he was walking shirtless!

I loved the shape of these rocks, on the gorge walls coming into Ormiston waterhole

We had to wade through one pool to get through

We rewarded ourselves with a swim at the end of the walk (to cool off and to wash off all the sweat!).

Daniel got the kids a scone from the kiosk at the campsite- they were super happy about it.

In between swimming the kids had fun playing on the rocks and Jackson built himself a stick/bark shelter to sleep under :)

One of the many Major Mitchell cockatoos that entertained us.

Beating the heat in a permanent waterhole in the West MacDonnell ranges

Ellery Creek Big Hole

Friday 20^th – Sunday 22^nd October

Our first stop in the West MacDonald Ranges was Standley Chasm where, after a short walk, we admired the beauty of the cleft in between the towering rock faces. We arrived at Ellery Creek Big Hole and were so pleased to find a huge swimming hole – just what we needed after setting up in 35 degree heat!

We spent the afternoon alternating between swimming in the icy cool water and relaxing on our towels in the shade. We also swam up through the gorge to the other side, revelling in the beauty of our surroundings. Later that afternoon, close to sunset, Daniel, Jackson and I did the 3km Dolomite Walk, the light was perfect and the views were incredible. We got back in time to have a dusk swim before dinner. We all did the walk again early the next morning, and watched the sunrise along the way. Once again we ended the walk with a swim, the water was so cold our bodies were left tingling when we got out!

It was a very hot day again so we spent most of the day down at the swimming hole keeping cool. That night we had dinner down by the water so we could watch the red rocks glow in the receding sunlight- it was beautiful. There are a lot of fires around and the layer of smoke seems to intensify the light at dawn and dusk.

After another early morning swim the next day we left Ellery Creek headed further west to Ormiston Gorge.

Exploring Standley Chasm

The narrow space and towering rocks make this a very special place

After a very refreshing swim in Ellery Creek Big Hole we relaxed on the warm sand and enjoyed the peaceful surroundings.

The next group of photos are from the Dolomite Walk that Jackson, Daniel and I did in the late afternoon- the light was amazing and the 3km loop walk took us through stunning landscape.

Jackson's face was so red and dry from too much time in the pool at Alice Springs- he couldn't even smile properly for this photo as he said he felt like his lips and cheeks were going to crack!!

We discovered this rock formation that looked like a section of wall

Some of the beautiful desert flowers we saw on the walk.

There was so much smoke haze in the distance

It looked even more stunning in the dusk light

Getting ready for our late swim after the walk - we had to psych ourselves up as the water literally took your breath away when you first got in!

The next group of photos are from our sunrise walk along the Dolomite Track- this time Emilia joined us. The light wasn't quite as nice as the evening before, but it was still beautiful.

We went for a swim after the walk - it wasn't even 7am yet, but it was so refreshing. The perfect way to start the day.

Jackson was a bit cold!

It took me a little while to get in....

....and you can see by the look on my face how cold it was once I put my shoulders under!

Enjoying the view at the end of the day (after gorging on a platter by the water's edge)

Ellery Creek Big Hole at sunset

Another early evening swim to finish off a great day. 

Emilia trying to get the courage to jump in, she took so long I gave up on getting a photo and just got in myself!

On the morning we were leaving I got up early and did the Dolomite Walk again (third time) to watch the sunrise. These are photos from that walk. When I got back Jackson was very angry at me as I was meant to wake him up to come, but he was sleeping so soundly I didn't want to. He was very upset with me!

The spinifex grass was so long that it tickled your legs as you walked along the track. It looked stunning in the early morning light.

Daniel got some great drone shots on our final morning at Ellery Creek Big Hole- it was such a stunning place.