East MacDonnell ranges

We decided that a day trip to the East Mac's would suffice. Can't get too 'gorged' out!! Some access roads to were closed also, so missed the opportunity to see some more petroglyghs.

We started with Emily Gorge just a few k's from Alice Springs. We had an early start at 0900 as we didn't know how long the East Mac's  would take. the sun is peaking over the top of this gorge.

We couldn't get into the main part of Jesse Gorge because of water in the access area.

Corroboree Rock was next. This rock estimated to be over 700milions old juts out amongst the landscape. The Arrente aboriginal people used this rock for their sacred ceremonies. No corroboree's were performed here due to lack of water in the area.

The walk around the rock took us into a landscape of flowering  bushes, so of course I like to try out the macro setting on my camera. The purple flower is a wild hibiscus & the cream flowers are from a mallee bush. They are just starting to flower in this area, so the honey eating birds will have a drunken time eating all the nectar that will be supplied.

Trephina gorge was next along the road. Just beautiful & very peaceful. So many pics here hopefully show some of the beauty of the area.

 These next few pics are looking across or down into the gorge from the ridge walk.

 So magical, I made the pics larger :)

 We came down into the gorge at the far end & had to take our shoes off - or get them wet!

 The water wasn't too chilly, but the views are just amazing. The white strip down the rocks is where the water stains the rock.

 

We sat & ate lunch at the picnic area where there were tables, BBQ's - & lots of mice! (there's been a mice plague in central Oz because of the great wet summer)

On the way out of the gorge we found a sign to this old magical ghost gum tree - it's reported to be 300yrs old

We couldn't get access to another much sought after gorge due to flooded road access :(

We also didn't feel like driving to the historic mining town of Arltunga or Ruby Gap as both were another 40k's of dirt & probably corrugated road. Had enough of that for now xxxxxx