Australian Journey 1987

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May 18, Monday.
Left Ayres Rock around 8:00 this morning, heading east back to the Sturt Highway. Most interesting countryside, especially if you take the time to stop and walk into the bush. You miss out on so much if you just keep driving. In the dunes there were tracks of the wildlife that visited the area during the night. It must have been like Bourke Street going by the many imprints to be seen. 244 kilometres later, I reached the intersection and turned north towards Alice Springs.
Stopped at Henley Meteorite Craters. Well worth the 16-kilometre sidetrack needed to reach them. Some of the small ranges you had to pass along the way are worth photographing. Fuel gauge still not working, won’t bother to fix it; I know how many kilometres I can do, which is about 350 km on a full tank. Stopped at the same Caravan Park just outside town ($4.50 overnight). Car is going well, weather fine. Best time of the year to come up this way.

May 19, Tuesday.
Set out from Alice Springs about 8:00 this morning. Did some shopping, bought some more film and posted some mail back home to Victoria. Headed west of Alice Springs, visited Simpson’s Gap, not bad, nice river gums. Had to pay $1.50 to visit Stanley Chasm. Too many tourists but the chasm was good. Ellery Creek was easy to reach except the last few kilometres, which was on dirt and it was a bit rough. Serpentine Gorge is the best I have seen so far. My 35mm camera fell into the water while I was wading across a small water hole. The gorge was magnificent. Stayed at Glen Helen Gorge, a drive of 130 kilometres from Alice Springs. Had a few drinks while I watched my video in the bar. Fuel gauge works every now and again. Weather good but the camera still won’t work.

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