Alice Springs and Chambers Pillar

20-07-25

After travelling the Mereenie Loop (the very corrugated dirt back road) from Kings Canyon to Alice Springs, stopping off at Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Big Hole, we enjoy a very relaxing day catching up on washing, groceries and a few maintenance jobs. Em and Hugh spend time in the pool and on the bouncing pillow. (Yes, they are not too old yet to avoid the pillow). We enjoyed some Asian food from the food vans at the park for dinner then Em and Hugh cooked a lovely lemon pudding for dessert.

Today 20th we are heading to Cambers Pillar and that means another early start at, as Em says, “stupid o’clock”. We have discovered that she is NOT a morning person but does get going if needed to. We are on the road by 7.30, heading south towards Mary Vale Station.

Hugh discovers that we are travelling along the Finke River Race track and is googling all sorts of information about the race and riders. Em is not so impressed. As expected, where it’s possible Philip has to drive a small portion of the track which made Hugh smile even more.

As we head further south and pass Maryvale Station we cross the Hugh River Stock Route and then the Hugh River and we are also driving through the Hugh district. The road deteriorates the closer we get to Chambers Pillar and the last 30 kilometres are over multiple sand dunes and a steep jump up and jump down.

Chambers Pillar is a sandstone formation that rises 50 metres above the surrounding plain. John McDouall Stuart was the first European to see Chambers Pillar in 1860. After this sighting it became an important landmark for pioneers travelling from Adelaide to Alice Springs prior to the establishment of the railway. Several early explorers including Alfred Giles and John Ross, leaders of the second cross continent expedition in 1870 left their mark on the rock face.

After walking around the pillar and up onto the walkway to view the inscriptions we head back to the car and away from the flies. On the way back we stop for lunch on the side of the road, then a drive into the Petroglyphs and rock carvings at Ewaninga Conservation Reserve.

Back to the van mid afternoon and the kids are off to the pool again. Probably won’t see them till dinner time tonight, when they will be starving again.

(P:- It’s been a great day, an awesome drive on outback dirt roads and off the “Tourist Track”)

21st

First port of call this morning is Emily Gap. Can’t bring Em to Alice Springs and not go to Emily Gap. After some photos and a quick walk we got away from the flies and drove to Jessie Gap, another lovely spot.

Back in the truck and in to town to pick up a parcel from the post office and have a look in the souvenir shops. Todd Mall is a total let down as very few places open and it’s very dirty and unappealing. Em and I are having a restful afternoon at the van while Philip and Hugh are off to the Transport Museum.

Tonight we are trying some camel and date sausages for tea. (P:- “Try” being the operative word! Would I eat it again? Well I would wanna be getting hungry, real hungry! My Guinea Pig feast I enjoyed recently in South America was way, way better! The best thing for the Camels is send them back to the Middle East). These were recommended by our guide at the Camel farm at Uluru. He told us to go to Milner Meats on Milner Road, Alice Springs for the best butcher. He wasn’t wrong I have never seen a butchers so busy. 12 staff behind the counter and all sorts of meats and seafood available. We will be back before we leave Alice to stock up on meat supplies.

22nd

Departure day for Hugh and Emily and arrival day for Lilly. But first we have one last tourist spot to visit. We pack their bags into the truck and travel out to Stanley Chasm. After a 15 minute walk we arrive at this stunning cleft in the rocks and take the obligatory photos. Also some fun pics of the kids. I love the colours out here and the tiny flowers that survive in this harsh environment and the trees that grow between and clinging to rocks.

Back to town and a quick bite to eat as they are starving again then out to the airport. To check in and collect Lilly.

Hugh and Em have travelled with us just over 4000 kilometres, laughed, joked, ate, rode camels, took a small plane flight, found opals and rail spikes from the old Ghan. We have loved every minute of sharing these experiences with them and can’t wait to show Lilly this Red Centre of Australia.