GERMAN TOURISTS

The trail down into Standley Chasm was about a kilometre and a half and a little 'scrambly'. You had to cross a creek and scramble over a few rocks. There were a number of tourists already in there, including a couple who must have been in their early 70s. The wife was also on crutches. I thought that was pretty good going.

I was to meet this couple a few times more at various gorges. The next time I met them was when I was admiring a Unimog vehicle in a carpark. It was a go anywhere vehicle and painted on the side was a map of the world with various trips marked in. I was surprised to find that it belonged to the couple I had met.

The pair were from Northern Germany and were travelling around the world in their vehicle. They had been away from home for two years and had travelled across Asia, Indonesia, East Timor, most states in the USA and the Sahara desert. They were still hoping to do all Australian states, Canada and Alaska before returning home in time for Christmas next year. they had flowed home once when her sister had become ill.

The vehicle seemed to have everything. Solar power, toilet, shower, TV, great views, sink, cupboard. They had researched it and found this was the right size to still be able to do four-wheel driving. They had only had a few minor mechanical problems. A minor switch was needed between petrol tanks. It took 6 weeks to get this part sent. It was now in Australia, but they weren't sure where.

GORGES AND WATERHOLES

Stadley Chasm

The Chasm

To the West of Alice Springs is the West MacDonnell ranges. I  spent a leisurely few days exploring the numerous waterholes and gorges here before going to King Canyon and Uluru. The first place I stopped at was Standley Chasm. This is a one and a half kilometre walk into the chasm, not an easy walk. The chasm has vertical walls which line a narrow stream. The stream was dry in the chasm but it was still a magnificent sight. The walls glowed red and it was only at midday that the sun could reach the floor below. There were a number of tourists here and the views are typical of Northern Territory postcards.

My second stop was at the Ellery Creek Big Hole. This was a very popular waterhole and swimming spot. I swam across the waterhole and through the walls at the end into another pool. There were many tourists and locals here finding relief from the hot weather. A group of young Aboriginal boys played next to me and eventually covered themselves in the slimy mud which could be found on the bottom of part of the waterhole. Later in the day another large Aboriginal family with lots of young children came down to swim. They were the best behaved kids I have seen for a long while. 

Next I stopped at the Ochre Pits. Here a solid wall of different coloured streaks in the rocks marked where Aboriginal people had taken rocks to crush and make paint. There were many colours and the area where a yellow ochre had been mixed up to use for paint could be clearly seen. These ochre rocks were once used for trade and managed to find their way great distances from the site.

Ellery Creek Big Hole

Kids enjoying the waterhole

Playing 'monsters' in the mud

Ochre was used from here

Ochre pits

The Ochre pits