Trephina Gorge East MacDonnells, NT

[jcr_au]

We recently spent a few weeks in Central Australia, including 3 days in the East MacDonnell Ranges.

The scenery out there is as spectacular as the West MacDonnell's but with a lot less people.

About 80km east of Alice Springs is Trephina Gorge that has a number of shorter tracks and a 16km 8 hour ridgetop walk that links the Trephina Gorge and the John Hayes Waterholes. We only did some of the shorter walks around the Gorge but it was extremely pleasant, even though we were forced to walk back through the creek, with its cool clear water and soft sandy bed on bare feet.

Despite it being a long weekend in Alice Springs I haven't photoshopped anyone out of these shots

Along the top of the gorge, this part is shared with the ridgetop walk


trephina gorge pano by boo 53, on Flickr

Further along the top of the gorge just past the intersection with the ridgetop track


trephina gorge 4 by boo 53, on Flickr

Struggling back through the creek


trephina gorge 5 by boo 53, on Flickr

John Hayes waterhole

John Hayes Rock Hole by boo 53, on Flickr

[jcr_au]

Heading west from our camp at Ross River there is 40 odd km of good gravel road to Arltunga which was a Gold field before Alice Springs (then Stuart) was more than 2 houses. From there its another 40 of low range high clearance 4 wheel driving to Ruby Gap which was the scene of a Ruby Rush before Arltunga.

Part of the road is along the sandy creek bed, then about a 6km walk in to the gap itself


ruby gap Panorama1 by boo 53, on Flickr



ruby gap Panorama2 by boo 53, on Flickr

We didn't have a chance to see the ruins at Arltunga as we wanted to make sure we had plenty of time at Ruby Gap, so just a quick squiz at sunset


arltunga ruins 1 by boo 53, on Flickr

[eggs]

Haven't been past Trephina - and lovely to see flowing water in it - but I have heard Ruby Gap is well worth it.

My son braved a waterhole at Trephina and froze..
Saw your picture in the monthly competition - it got my vote - very nice.

[jcr_au]

Thanks eggs.

The East MacDonnells get a hell of a lot less traffic than the Wests but are just as spectacular.

To get out to Ruby Gap you need High clearance. I used low range as I've gone back to a manual Patrol (I like the lower 1st gear) but an auto would probably do it ok, just need 4wd for the drive up the river, but allow a whole day. Its 2 hours in and a little less out from Arltunga (you learn where the bumps are and less photos to take on the return journey ) and a good couple of hours to look around & walk to the end

When you were at Trephina did you go down to N'Dhala Gorge, that's only about 15km further down and a pretty short walk through a deep gorge

[eggs]

No - I stayed on standard 2WD roads and Trephina was our turn back point.
It was our last family trip with all the kids - a really nice run.

We were pressed for time on a few occassions (its a big country) - I would love to have climbed Mt Sonder and explored more of Ormiston.
Perhaps at Grey Nomad stage..

[jcr_au]

I understand what your saying. My only other trip to the centre was 4 days fly in fly out in Dec 2007.

I'm trying to semi-retire so this trip was 5 weeks, with 3 weeks in the centre.

Not a bushwalking shot but one with good memories, Johnburg, east of Carrieton


johnburg rainbow 10 by boo 53, on Flickr

[Nick S]

Great photos John

[jcr_au]

Thanks Nick

[Mickeymoo]

Some very nice shots John! Love the range of colours and textures in those gorge shots.

[jcr_au]

Thanks Michael.

I'd heard that the East MacDonnells are as spectacular as the West's but treated that with a bit of a grain of salt until I was actually there. Its every bit as spectacular but with a lot less people