SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2021
Today we ambled into the East Macdonnell Ranges, which we last visited in May 2005, following our epic crossing of the Simpson Desert. Below is a brief clip of our drive out to Ruby Gap Gorge starting about 4.42 seconds into the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV0uHPMuCeY&list=PLQyixiWpuCSZgMBFlEecWl9Pho3h6IuEL&index=9
This time we explored only as far at the historical old ghost town of Arltunga, about 110 kms out of Alice.
It was a perfectly sunny Sunday morning, and the colours on the Heavitree Range were spectacular as we set off on our adventure.
EMILY AND JESSIE GAPS
Emily Gap, our first stop, is only 15 kms from Alice Springs. The local Arrernte people recall the caterpillar dreaming story, which tells the story of how the spectacular East and West MacDonnell ranges were formed. In this gorge we saw the rock art depicting the caterpillar dreaming stories.
The nearby Jessie Gap was picturesque as well, but probably not any more so than Emily.
As we drove along the Ross Highway, I found myself feeling overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty of the deep reds, oranges, pinks and creams that were reflecting from the spectacular, sunlit ranges through which we were driving.
CORROBOREE ROCK
Corroboree Rock is a very impressive dolomite structure which dominates the surrounding landscape. We spent some time exploring the feature and its surroundings. Norm was very interested in a huge pockmarked boulder with pretty pink crystallisation on the surface. I was delighted to find a pretty MacDonnell’s Desert Fuchsia in flower in amongst the spiky Spinifex.
Soon after leaving Corroboree Rock the road narrowed to a single lane bitumen track, which we followed until turning off onto the corrugated gravel track towards Arltunga.
Since we had explored the Trephina Gorge when last here, we decided to take the ‘High Clearance 4WD only’ track out to the John Hayes Rockhole.
JOHN HAYES ROCKHOLE
There is a a short walk from the camp ground along a rough track. We were thrilled when we arrived there to be greeted by a resident lizard (Central Netted Dragon), who had been thermo-regulating on the sand beside the water, at the base of the tall cliffs which protect it. There were lots of bees, wasps and other wings insects buzzing over the surface of the water and pausing ever so briefly to take a drink.
By the time we returned to Linus, the day was becoming very hot making long hikes less than appealing to us. We gave the Trephina Gorge and its many short walks a miss, and continued up the Ross Highway to the turn off onto the 33 kms of gravel road to Arltunga.
Finally we arrived at what was once the Arltunga Camp Ground and Hotel. Although the Hotel Verandah looked like somebody may still be in residence the rest of the place looked deserted and empty.
It was well past lunch time, so ate our picnic at the picnic table near the old Gold Stamping Machinery, behind the park information centre (also deserted!). It was disappointing to see the lack of maintenance and care around the place. When we were last here, the stamping machine was in working condition. We were able to pan for gold from the side of it as well.
ARLTUNGA HISTORICAL RESERVE
Despite the heat (about 36 degrees celsius), we explored the ruins of the Government Works Site.
By the time we left Arltunga to return to Alice Springs, the intense late afternoon sun lit up the glorious colours of the rock faces, as well as highlighting the textures of the tortuous uplifted mountains.
ON THE ROAD 