Day 14 of our trip and we went exploring the West MacDonnell ranges again to see how far we could get before returning to Alice Springs for the night.

First stop today was Ellery Creek Big Hole.

 Ellery is a sacred site for the Central and Western Arrernte people. It’s name in Western Arrernte is Udepata (oo-DEP-pa-tuh).The main Dreaming story here is Honey Ant Dreaming, although there’s a Fish Dreaming story that travels through the waterhole as well.(http://traveloutbackaustralia.com)

These rocks on the side of the path caught my eye.

 The waterhole was full,the water was cold and the day was hot so Mark went for a swim.

After Mark's swim, we climbed back into the cars and headed up the road to Serpentine Gorge.

This is where Ellery Creek cuts through the ranges creating this wonderful gorge.

Serpentine Gorge is also a sacred site to Western Arrernte Aboriginal people. It’s name in Western Arrernte is Ulpma (uhlp-Mah).The Dreaming Story for this place is associated with an Eaglehawk ancestor, and the full story can only be told to initiated Aboriginal men. (http://traveloutbackaustralia.com)

 

 Spinifex pigeons enjoy a drink.

We also stopped to look at the ochre cliffs further up the road.

There were tree with beautiful patterns in the bark.........

.....as well as flowers and lizards.

 Ormiston Gorge was next on the list with its permanent waterhole just right for a swim which is what Mark had.

Ormiston is also a sacred site the Western Arrernte people. It’s name in Western Arrernte is Kwartatuma.The Dreaming story for the waterhole tells of the adventures of a group of Emus who came to the waterhole from the East, and the man who hunted them whilst they were there.(http://traveloutbackaustralia.com)

There were towering red cliffs and me being me took a photo of the pattern in the sand the sun made in the shelter.

Majestic gumtrees.

Beautiful Ormiston Gorge and it's waterhole.

Once again on the road, this time towards Glen Helen, Mt Sonder appeared in front of us.
The mountain featured in a number of Albert Namatjira's paintings.

The Glen Helen Resort and Homestead.

At Glen Helen Gorge the ranges part to make way for the Finke River. The permanent Finke River waterhole is an important refuge in the hot summer months, for all nine species of fish recorded for the Finke, and migrating waterbirds. From here the Finke River continues and makes its way to the Simpson Desert.

The area's traditional owners believe that this inviting swimming spot is the home of an ancient and powerful Rainbow Serpent, and regard it as off limits. (www.travelnt.com)

We sat under the shade here and had lunch before exploring the homestead and visiting the gorge .

The rock formations are known as the Organ Pipes.

Back at the homestead the birds in the aviary were feeling the heat.On the right are cockateils and Bourke's Parrot.The finch on the left is a zebra which whilst the other two are Gouldian finches which are on the endangered list .

Glen Helen was the last stop for the day. The following photos are from the drive back to Alice Springs.