Paddy & Jen Adventures

Prior to leaving Alice Springs we took a day trip out to the East MacDonnell Ranges to check out some really cool waterholes, our first experience of these in the NT. Our favourite stop was the Trephina Gorge Nature Park. We took the 4WD track right up to the John Hayes Rock Hole. This was awesome, but too cold to go in for a swim. I loved the rock formations surrounding the waterhole. We also checked out the largest Ghost Gum in Central Australia. The gorge itself was gorgeous!! We did the ridge top walk and completed the walk trekking through the dry creek bed. We finished the day at the Arltunga Bush Pub, which has just re-opened. It is a remote pub about 110 km’s from Alice. It is worth the drive just for the steak sandwich and a refreshing ale!

The following day we took a day trip to the Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges to Palm Valley, which is in Finke Gorge National Park. The area is only accessible by 4WD and there were definitely a few rough spots to navigate. Lots of fun and so worth it to reach Palm Valley, a huge gorge with so much plant life, especially palms which is so weird to see in the red centre. We explored the area from the ridge line and along the bottom of the gorge. Stunning!

Couldn’t go past a 5km lookout walk, which did not disappoint. Such a great feeling standing on top of a huge rock, sun shining and having 360 degree views of the national park. After we were out of the national park Paddy put the drone up and once again we can share with you some spectacular scenery. We made it back to Alice in time for sunset up at the Anzac Lookout, then back to the van to chill after a big day.

Our next two overnight stays were in the Tjoritja/West McDonnell Ranges, camping in the national park (Ellery Creek and Redbank Gorge campgrounds). This area of the Ranges is absolutely next level amazing and is a must visit. We explored Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, the Ochre pits and our absolute favourite Ormiston Gorge. We loved it there so much we extended our walk by 10km, to include a river crossing, rock climbing and a steep climb through the saddle of the gorge! It was so worth it, but we made a rookie error of not taking any food. I did find one minty in the bottom of the back pack and I swear it was like I had found gold!! We had plenty of water, we just had hungry stomachs by the time we finished the 4 hour hike! Lucky it was not hot. This was the day of my 55th birthday and we headed back to camp for a hot shower, dinner, champagne, chocolate, chats with the family, Paddy playing guitar by the fire and a sky full of stars – what more could I ask for!

We headed off very early the next morning to catch the sunrise at a lookout on our way back to Alice Springs, before stocking up on supplies and doing a much needed car/van wash. We are both very glad we stayed in/around Alice Springs and did not just pass through. I know Alice gets such bad publicity and there are definitely complex indigenous issues within the town, but there is also so much to the area that should be explored. We have been exposed to such beauty, indigenous traditions and places of cultural significance that we are definitely leaving here better off.

Check out the video: https://pjmadventures.com/gallery/norther-territory/