Nele & Andrew Around Oz

Day 161 – 27^th July 2011

Wintersun Caravan Park, Alice Springs, NT

On the way to Alice Springs this morning we stopped at Coroboree Rock Conservation Reserve where we took a short walk around the base of the rock (1km loop - 15min). Next we continued on to Jessie and Emily Gap, 2 scenic gaps in the Heavitree Range associated with an Arrernte Caterpillar Dreaming trail where Aboriginal rock paintings can be viewed.

After lunch we started calling around to compare the offer of new tyres in Alice and booked an appointment for a wheel alignment. Once this was sorted out we drove to Traeger Park to have a look at the Grand Stand which Andrew was involved in designing. Afterwards we visited the Central Australia Aviation Museum in the former Connellan Air hangar housing old planes and the Kookaburra Memorial commemorating the tragic tale of the tiny Kookaburra that crashed in the Tanami Desert in 1929 while out searching for the Southern Cross plane that had gone down. The Kookaburra pilots perished in the desert while the Southern Cross pilots were rescued. In the evening we relaxed at the caravan park and enjoyed watching some TV.

Scenery along the drive

West MacDonnell Ranges - 1 lane road where you have to
move partly on the gravel when an oncoming car approaches

Watch out for cows

Coroboree Rock Conservation Reserve

Coroboree Rock

Jessie Gap

The white sand against the ridge of this gap represents
the emu fat in the Aboriginal Emu storyline

Emily Gap

These rock paintings represent the 3 caterpillars who
are beings of great significance for the Arrernte people

Emily Gap

Grand Stand at Traeger Park

Connellan Air Hangar, the first air service in central Australia

Connair plane

RFDS plane

Remains of the Kookaburra aircraft

Day 160 – 26^th July 2011

Bluff Campsite, Trephina Gorge National Park, NT

This morning Andrew and Andy changed a front tyre on the van as the other day Maureen, who was sitting in front of our van, had actually picked up that the inside of the tyre had worn out dramatically. Andrew had been regularly checking the outside of the tyres which looked fine so we were quite surprised to see how badly the inside was worn. Good pick up as we wouldn’t want to experience a flat when driving. After this chore was done, we set off to do the Panorama and Trephina Gorge Walks (4.5km loop – 2h). The scenery is just amazing with wonderful views of the surrounding ranges and the gorge. Originally we were planning on returning to Alice this afternoon but this morning’s walk really made us want to do the Ridgetop Walk from Trephina Gorge to John Hayes Rockhole. Unfortunately Maureen and Andy had to keep going as they are running out of time so we had a quick lunch and said goodbye to them – Maureen and Andy don’t continue reading! It was a great walk with wonderful views all along the way over the East MacDonnell Ranges and beyond, especially at the Bluff Lookout. From John Hayes Rockhole we had to return to our van via the 8km road but this was an easy walk back. In total the whole 17km loop walk took us 5h. Back at the van we decided to go for a short drive to charge the battery and get some hot water for a shower so moved to the Bluff campsite in the park.