Ellery Creek Big Hole
Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd 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.
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| Exploring Standley Chasm |
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| The narrow space and towering rocks make this a very special place |
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| 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.
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| 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!! |
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| We discovered this rock formation that looked like a section of wall |
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| Some of the beautiful desert flowers we saw on the walk. |
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There was so much smoke haze in the distance
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| It looked even more stunning in the dusk light |
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| 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.
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| 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. |
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| Jackson was a bit cold! |
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| 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!
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| Enjoying the view at the end of the day (after gorging on a platter by the water's edge) |
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| Ellery Creek Big Hole at sunset |
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| Another early evening swim to finish off a great day. |
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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! |
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| 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.
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