Thursday 28th June 2018 - Headed off to the West MacDonnell Ranges for a few days, so we'll be off the grid. Our first stop was at Simpsons Gap that was a short walk to a beautiful waterhole. It had a number of amazingly different coloured rock formations along the creek bed.

Second stop; Standley Chasm, that after a relatively short walk to the Chasm we were lucky enough to arrive when it was at its best because it was illuminated by the noonday sun showing off the magnificent red and orange colours of the rock.

Then took a very steep climb up a hard rocky track to a high look-out where we saw more magnificent views over the Chasm and the MacDonnell ranges. The view from the top made our exhausting trek worthwhile.

We continued on our way and made it to Ellery Creek Big Hole where we free camped for the night nestled in a lovely quiet spot. Saw a Hooded Robin.

Friday 29th June 2018 - Woke after a very cold night -1, the coldest so far, Phil even slept with his beanie on…

Took a short walk around the Dolomite Trail before we set off for the Serpentine Gorge where on arrival we did another short walk through the River Red Gum trees to its waterhole.

Next stop was at The Ochre Pits that provided a ridge of beautiful colours along its trail. Something different again. Ochre is different coloured stone that the Arranta People use for their Aboriginal paintings.

Our last stop for the day was Ormiston Gorge where we free camped for the night. We had arrived early in the afternoon where we intended to take a short walk to the waterhole and then relax. Wrong! The scenery was just too amazing to ignore so we continued along the Gorge and spent 3 hours investigating. Again it was worth the trek as the Gorge was stunning. We saw our first wild Black Footed Rock Wallaby that suddenly appeared on the rocks close to us on our return journey.

Also spotted: Dusky Grasswren, Diamond Dove, Spinifex Pigeon, Western Bowerbird, Port Lincoln Ringneck, Hooded Robin, Grey Shrike Thrush and a Black Falco,

We went to sleep to the sound of Dingo's howling under a stunningly beautiful full moon that illuminated the entire campsite making it feel like the real outback experience.

Saturday 30th June 2018 - Before we set off for Glen Helen Resort, we went for a short walk to the Ormiston Gorge look-out & enjoyed a great coffee with a slice of homemade Tangerine & Almond Tart.

Stopped at Glen Helen to view the Finke River that runs through the homestead and then continued on to Redbank Gorge where we free camped for the night. Again it was our intention to set up camp and relax after a short walk to the Gorge look-out. You guessed it, another 3 hour trek along a rugged and sandy riverbed that ended up with another surprising find; a serene waterhole.

On our way back we saw two Black Footed Rock Wallabies foraging in one of the small waterholes at the beginning of the track.

Sunday 1st July 2018 - After an early start we stopped at Tylers Pass Look-out that gave a great view of the West MacDonnell Ranges that we had spent the last few days exploring and Gosse Bluff.

Stopped at Gosse Bluff after driving along a difficult stretch of track that was covered with large boulders, corrugations and sand. Made it! Gosse Bluff is a circular rock formation that was made by a comet 142 Million years ago.

Climbed a high ridge that gave a spectacular view over the whole crater. Negotiated our way back and then stopped at Hermansburg an old heritage settlement site.

Saw our first wild Brumbies and there was a lot of them between Gosse Bluff and Hermansburg.

Arrived back in Alice Springs where we will spend another few days before setting off again. It's Territory Day so we enjoyed our dinner outside watching the fireworks.

Monday 2nd to Tuesday 3rd July 2018 - Spent the last few days in Alice Springs preparing the car & caravan and stocking up for our trip tomorrow to the East MacDonnell Ranges.