SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER
HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY TO HENRY JAMES AUSTIN
We have just enjoyed sharing in celebrating Henry’s first birthday on face time. It was so nice to be able to join in wishing him a happy birthday. Rena had baked him a most amazing birthday cake in the form of a guitar.
2 GORGES AND A RESORT – Trephina Gorge, N’∂hala Gorge & Ross River Resort
Yesterday we enjoyed a lovely adventure out in the East MacDonnells again. The early morning light on the Heavitree Gap was perfect
Heavitree Gap with raised Ghan Railway line on right 
Dry Todd River bed
Somewhere between Jessie Gap and Corroboree Rock, Norm took an unmarked gravel track which climbed steeply up to the top of a fairly high hill. The views from up there were breathtaking in all directions.
I was expecting the drive back down the hill to be alarming, but although it was steep, it did not take as long as I had anticipated. Linus handled it well. walking down in high range 2nd gear.
The East MadDonnells were just as spectacular as they were the other day as we continued down the Ross Highway to the off onto the gravel road to Trephina Gorge.
Before driving through the Gorge, we paused to admire the huge ghost gum, which is claimed to be the largest in Australia.
The drive through Trephina Gorge followed the river bed for the most part. The track had some smooth sections, with others deeply corrugated, sandy or rocky. At the end there a several camp grounds which looked well set out. We didn’t take any of the walking trails, as we had Rosie with us and dogs are not permitted there.
/https://nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/200053/Trephina-gorge-fact-sheet.pdf
The first section of the next Gorge, N’∂hala just blew us away as we followed the dry river bed of the Ross River, past soaring cliffs and lower more undulating rock faces. The colours were so vivid and brightly lit by the sun. We didn’t drive the full length, turning around when the gorge opened out into a wide, flat riverbed with lower walls. We didn’t get to see any of the very special petroglyphs and other art sites left by the Eastern Arrernte people. It would have taken longer than we could spare to do the gorge justice. Another place to add to our ‘revisit list’.
We stopped to explore the Ross River Resort camping grounds before continuing on to the resort.
At the resort, the old homestead has been protected by buildings that encompass it and form the hotel. It was wonderful to see how well the old rooms have been restored and are used. We enjoyed a lovely Ross River Burger (HUGE) under the shade of the trees near the pool and lovely lawns and gardens. Rosie made another new friend with one of the local dogs.
http://rossriverresort.com.au/the-resort
ON THE ROAD 