work to look at. At Emily Gap there were a group of birdwatchers trying to capture the hundreds of zebra finches that come to the waterhole. As soon as you move they all dart off very quickly so how anyone can get a good picture is beyond me. Much easier to take the budgerigars that were nesting in the hollows of a great river gum.We were heading to Trephina Gorge which is about 85 kms out of Alice as we had heard how beautiful it is. As we headed out the mountains ranges get bigger and bigger. Once again you can see rugged outcrops of rock caused by amazing upheaval that took place millions of years ago. We arrived at Trephine Gorge after crossing several creek crossings that had been washed out by a recent 150 mls deluge in 24 hours- a very unusual happening here. The rivers are wide and sandy and when this happens there is an enormous force of water which washes out crossings and this time it even washed away the toilet in the second campground evidence of which you can see in the creek. Fortunately the creek crossings were repaired last week so we were able to come in.
Trephina Gorge towers either side of the wide sandy river and is made up of layers and layers of red sedimentary rocks.There is also a large ridge of rock ending in bluff that stretches alomg the road
There are several walks on the rim of the gorge which gives you and idea of the height of the cliffs. The campsite was very small (ten sites) and Trish and Jack who we met when we came out from Kings Canyon, had just pulled up before us.
The campsites are set among the bushes and the bird life is amazing with birds tweeting away and darting here and there while we are viewing the great massive outcrop of red rocky range with a backdrop of blue blue sky. A delightful place to sit in the sun, relax and catch up on the blog.
That afternoon we went for a stroll along the creek bed
with its river gums and patches of water and then decided to go on the gorge walk that took us to the top to look down and across to the steep red cliffs.
There was some honey grevilleas and wattle out to add to the scene. We had a fire that night and Trish and Jack joined us. We were glad of the warmth of the fire as it was very cool.
We had a relaxing morning and enjoyed the views surrounding us. That afternoon on the panorama walk we had to cross the creek at the beginning of the walk so Brian gave me a piggy back across so I didn’t have to get my feet wet. The panorama walk took us up and up a steep hill where we had a 360 degree view – the river meandering through the rugged gorge,some green gray slopes on the other side with craggy mountains in the distance and then as we descended we came down a gravelly path to the creek bed there were masses of yellow cassia bushes showing off their glory.
We went outside the park to find for some wood for the fire that night. Brian tried his hand at a damper on a stick but it was a bit too sticky!!!
The next day eight people moved out of the park so we moved the van into a sunny spot and enjoyed another relaxing morning.
That afternoon we went for another walk called the rim walk. We went up and up and were even higher than the panorama walk and of course the view gave amazing vista of the surrounding ridges and really gave you an idea of the massive upheaval that occurred in the area. We were almost as high as the huge Bluff outcrop that runs along the creek.That night Trish made a damper and as we had no camp over so she put it in foil. It was a bit hard to tell when it was done but it was delicious.
We left the next morning after a delightful time and it was windy and freezing in Alice Springs so after stocking up on a few groceries and were glad to head north for some warmer weather.
Trephena gorge
The bluff looking dowm to campground
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