Today we commenced the very popular tourist route of the Western MacDonnell Ranges, a route that will eventually take us to the rock, "Uluru". The MacDonnell Range is really a small remnant of a much larger mountain range that has been weathered away to its current modest size. Many of the tourist attractions on this route are gorges, cut by creeks, through the MacDonnells or adjacent ranges, and often such a gorge has an almost permanent water hole at its heart. The water remains in the narrow chasms because of the lack of direct sunlight and the much cooler environment. In a number of cases, such as Serpentine Gorge, the water is also fed by a natural spring with water either from the mountain's own rock which acts as a sponge or the Great Artesian Basin.

As you might imagine the existence of these gorges/chasms with nearly permanent water was a significant attraction that brought white settlers to the area, as well as an essential survival resource for local aboriginals.

The first picture above is the grave of John Flynn (originator of RFDS).

We noted many areas of recent wild fires as we travelled today and the regrowth after a fire that is typical of the Australian bush. In the case of Standley Gorge the fire was only a couple of months ago and already the regrowth is substantial.

We camped the night in one of the "bush camps" at Serpentine Chalet. The Chalet no longer exists and the name is the only reminder of the tourist enterprise that was once here.

We took the opportunity to try out the "insect tent" we bought in Alice. Seems to work well when the wind is not too strong and the ground will accept tent pegs.