Lap Around Australia Standley Chasm & Simpson's Gap

Standley Chasm and Simpson's Gap

We've had a lazy and relaxed couple of days since being back in Alice Springs. All of us have enjoyed this break greatly. The men have used the time doing "boy stuff" fixing this and that around the van and car. There's been lots of trips to J-Car, Desert Dwellers (which sells camping stuff) and of course Bunnings. Lots of sounds of drilling and sanding etc. The boys are happy.

Meanwhile the girls have spent time cooking shopping washing and crocheting or just sitting around chatting and playing board games. Oh yay!

Today we left John behind as he is busy installing reversing cameras on the car and van and the rest of us drove in Ian and Kathy's car out to Standley Chasm in the West MacDonnell Ranges. This area is run by the local Indigenous group and they charge an entry fee payable at the Kiosk before you walk in to the chasm. It's $12 per Adult ($10 for seniors) and is well worth it.

We arrived just before midday, which is the best time to view the Chasm as the sun comes directly through the gap in the chasm at this time. There were quite a few people there with the same idea as us, but we still managed to get some good shots.

As usual, the birdlife and wildflowers were an added bonus. We are really getting good at noticing the little things and appreciating their beauty.

After our walk we called in at the Kiosk and ordered cappuccinos from the very personable young indigenous man behind the counter. there was a chicken strutting around the tables and he told me the chook's name was Barb. I don't think he was pulling my leg.

We then drove back towards Alice Springs along the Larapinta Highway and called in to see Simpson's Gap which is only about 17 Km from Alice.

I'm glad we saw this on a different day to all the other Gaps. It's well worth a visit. We loved the beautiful Red River gums in the mostly dry creek bed leading into the Gap. There is a sign warning No Swimming along the path which looks a bit incongruous when the river bed is dry, but in fact there is water in the actual gap after all. We were a little late in the day to get the light just right, but you can't be everywhere at midday.
Still is was good to see, and a nice easy walk in for Karen whose feet are suffering today. We didn't get to see the resident Rock Wallabies. Apparently they are more likely to come out at dusk, so you need to be camping there to see them.

Altogether a lovely relaxed day of sightseeing with not so much driving. Tomorrow Ian's car goes in for repair (assuming the part has arrived) and then we are off on Friday morning back to Devils Marbles and further north.