Australian Adventure 2010: August 2010

Wednesday 25 August 2010

Rock carvings (Ewaninga Rock Carvings NT - 20/08)

Just 26km out of Alice Springs we visited the rock carvings of Ewaninga. The
road to get there was unsealed and not always smooth...

A new day - a new journey (Alice Springs NT - 20/08)

Monday 23 August 2010

On the way back... (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

Just a few kilometers from Alice Springs and our little day trip is over...

River Crossing III (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

I am just about to cross the Ross River...luckily without water :-). This
dry river bed is about 20 meter wide and in it you can see big tree branches
lying around. Just imagine this river when it is flowing - it must be such a
strong water flow to move all this trees with it.

Turning point... (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

That's our turning point. This road is very sandy and we just did one river
crossing. Then we came to another river where we decided to turn around to
not be stock in the mud. When riding on fine sand with the motorbike the
wheels are sliding in each direction...huhuuu.

On the way to N'Dhala Gorge (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

N'Dhala gorge is about 89km east of Alice Springs. This area is noted for
the abundance and diversity of aboriginal engravings which are unparalleled
by any other pecked engraving site in central Australia. To reach the gorge
you have to pass a road which is for 4-wheel-drive vehicle only. We wanted
to try how far we come with our motorbikes.

River Crossing II (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

On the way to Trephina Gorge we had to cross two little rivers. No worries,
there are no crocodils in the Alice Springs area :-).

River Crossing I... (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

Jeremie is trying his best to not get wet feet...

Roadstop... (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

Stop 4 - Trephina Gorge (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

Our 4th stop along the East MacDonnell Ranges was at Trephina Gorge 85 km
from Alice Springs. This beautiful gorge is noted for its sheer quartzite
cliffs and River Red Gum lined watercourses. Here we had as-well our
picnic-lunch and the sun kept shining. Lucky us...

Stop 4 - Trephina Gorge (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

Will the sky be on our side??? That's the big question...

My good old Honda... (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

Jeremie & the big mountains... (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

What a beautiful landscape... We are so tiny against this big East
MacDonnell Ranges which are 170 km long.

Ohhh, rainy day... (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

Rain and sun can not decide yet who will manage the day. So we just got
another morning shower on our way.

Flowerpower...(East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

Since it rained quite a lot the last weeks all the desert flowers show their
blossom and the whole area smells lovely. Even when we ride on the
motorbikes we can smells them...

Stop 3 - Corroboree Rock (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

Corroboree Rock just 51 km east of Alice Springs is another significant site
for the Aboriginal people. In this area next to the rock ancient manhood and
initiation ceremonies took place. The form of the rock is very special like
you can see on the photos.

On the road again... (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

Stop 2 - Jessie Gap (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 19/08)

Just around 6km further east you find the second gap in the Heavitree Range
which is called Jessie Gap. It contains like Emily Gap aboriginal paintings
about the caterpillar dreaming.

Stop 1 - Emily Gap (East MacDonnell Ranges NT - 02/08 )

The first interesting sight on the Heavitree Range is Emily Gap, just 10 km
east of Alice Springs. This gap contains interesting Aboriginal paintings
and it is an important spiritual site to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal
people. The large rock painting depicts the caterpillar dreaming.