We had a bit of a haze on the way out as we drove into the sun. Somewhere along the road we hit the 5,000 kilometre mark for the holiday. We like to keep moving!
The countryside was a bit different from the West Macs. More grass, possibly more water. Some of the hills looked even older, more worn down. A greater variety of plant life. At one point we were in what looked quite verdant by these red centre standards, after that we came into what appeared to be a little floodplain covered in youngish river reds. Quite pretty. Could be because this is all private land. We saw quite a few cows. Marjan's driving spooked at least one calf into attempting to throw itself in front of the car with no name.
The hills had got closer and more separate lines of them. Approaching one set of hills, we spotted three dingo cubs on the road. Marjan slowed to let them disperse. One stood watching us, almost challenging us, till we were quite close. Then they trotted off along the road. Must have been 4-500 metres before they decide to get off the road and trot up hill. They were the cutest things. Anna would undoubtedly have wanted to take one home.
Anyway in among the hills lies Trephina Gorge Park and in we went. It was still early and had not got to 30C yet so we did the Gorge walk. Up the cliff, and along it, then down into the river bed, where, sadly, there was no swimming hole, and back along the sand. Some lovely views, and lovely trees, and lovely rocks....... pretty much the whole of the MacDonnell's really.
On our way out we checked out was is purported to be the oldest ghost gum is Australia, and maybe even the southern hemisphere! Truly lovely tree. Walking around it I took note of the variety of flora. There must have been between 20 and 30 species of plant in this one little area. It may be fragile, but it is a very rich and varied environment.
We made a few stops/short walks along the way back:
Corroberee Rock, where we saw some different wild flowers and some interesting rock formations.....yeah I know!
Jessie Gorge - a gap through the ranges with some indigenous art
Emily Gorge - another gap with more interesting art
Back for lunch and a break. Marjan had not been feeling well. Watching me eat a 500g steak had given her indigestion. Some of us live and some of us pay!
After a nap, we had a bit of a walk around the Botanical Gardens. These are a community run thing, and there was no-one there, however we were able to put names to plants, and Marjan finally knows what a coolibah looks like, although she cannot distinguish it from a bastard coolibah.
Going to be cool again tomorrow 37C. So we are planning a trip to one of the water holes where I may do a hill walk, whilst Marjan chills in the shade with a book.
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