Day 37 29/04/2011 – Glen Helen – Ellery Creek Big Hole, via Orminson and Serpentine Gorge

Day 37 29/04/2011 – Glen Helen – Ellery Creek Big Hole, via Orminson and Serpentine Gorge (West MacDonnell Ranges)

Well today I write with tired feet, after waking up early to the howls of the local dingo’s we headed to Mt Sonder lookout.  Mt Sonder is the 4^th highest peak in the NT and it was a beautiful lookout.  We then headed back to Glen Helen and picked up the van to head to our first gorge of the day – Ormiston Gorge.  Ormiston was beautiful, we had decided before getting to the gorge that we would do the 7km Ormiston Pound walk. 



Ormiston Gorge



Our plan had been to do the big walk and then go for a swim in the permanent water hole.  Well like all good plans we had to change them as soon as we got there because the additional signs told us that when completing the Ormiston Pound walk we would “have to swim through freezing cold pools and climb over steep rocks”  the thought of swimming through a water hole fully clothed did not appeal to any of us.  So instead we headed off to do the Ghost Gum walk – only 2.6km.  The walk though was another goat track up and down the side of the mountain around the gorge, it was well worth the effort though and we enjoyed the views!! 



Ormiston Gorge



After the walk the kids and I enjoyed a well-earned swim in the waterhole.  The water was very cold, thank goodness for wetsuits and the floatation rings, we were able to walk up the bank of the waterhole for a little way and then floated back down the creek.  This gave us a great opportunity to view the cliff face from a different perspective.  Whilst I got out after about 30 minutes the kids continued to play for a couple of hours.  It was with reluctance that we left at 3pm.

We were headed to Ellery Creek Big Hole for the night but on the way we decided to drop into Serpentine Gorge.  The kids were tired and required a high level of encouragement to do the walk – only 3kms I assured them!! So with reluctance they agreed, the walk was easy and we made it to the gorge with good spirits, on the way though we spotted a track up to a lookout so I suggested that on the way back maybe we could walk up to the lookout……the boys were horrified. We spent some time resting at the gorge and I suggested that those who didn’t want to walk to the lookout could wait down on the track.  To my surprise and delight the kids agreed to come with Pete and I!!  The climb up to the lookout was steep, windy and difficult but we made it and the view was spectacular.  We could see back behind the gorge and for miles around.  We gingerly headed back down the goat track from the lookout!!

Serpentine Gorge

At last we headed to Ellery Creek Big Hole for the night!! A little late and a little tired but we had had a great day exploring the West MacDonnell Ranges!!