Sunday 7th July, 2024
The Mereenie Loop was not a ‘doddle’ as I predicted. It was pretty rough. We camped overnight at Gravel Pit near Gosse Bluff just a few kilometres back on bitumen. We noticed that the signs into the Bluff said it was a 4WD road, and this was off putting after the hard driving. This morning we decided to continue on to Ormiston Gorge. On the way we went up to the Tylers Pass Lookout and stopped for lunch at Redbank Gorge Campground (Ridgetop).
Glen Helen campground is closed at the moment. From Mt Sonder Lookout we noticed campers near the river below, and it looked lovely. However, we wanted to get to Ormiston Gorge as we needed drinking water.
At Ormiston Gorge the campground was full. We enjoyed hot drinks at the lovely café, run by Indidgenous folk. There were two possibilities, to go back to the Finke River camping, which is on a 4WD track, or go further along the Ranges to another lookout which has a free camp. As we wanted to explore Ormiston Gorge tomorrow we headed back to the Fink River and took the track. We were worried by the 4WD label, but it was a fairly easy track and having high clearance was about all that was needed.
So, here we are, after two tiring days, settled in by the river.
This whole area, the Mereenie Loop and now on the Namatjira Road is incredibly beautiful with so many different types of landscapes. No matter how difficult the driving on the gravel road section, and then looking for a place to stay, we are rewarded everywhere with incredible views.
When we woke up this morning at Gravel Pit it was cloudy and misty, but the rest of the day has been sunny, getting quite warm in the afternoon.
We have taken some video and lots and lots of photos. Here are just a few from my phone. I need to download others from my cameras, and check with Stephen who has also taken lots of photos.
