A short hop up the road today with a few stops to fill in the day. Following a quick stop at the Mt Sonder lookout we headed to Glen Helen Gorge where we met back up with Jase and Sue. It was a short walk to the waterhole at the gorge but we weren’t up for the required swim to get through it to see the Organ Pipes 20min up the gorge.

After a coffee and caramel slice stop at the cafe we moved on to Ormiston Gorge. We knew there was a water crossing at this gorge and fellow travellers had warned the water was freezing. We decided to be organised this time and carried the inflatable kayak into the gorge. We hit the water and inflated the kayak, walked around the corner and realised we could walk further into the gorge…..we spoke to some people returning and the water crossing was further up over a heap of large boulders. So the kayak was hoisted on shoulders and the trek continued.

Once we arrived, the gorge was lovely. We all had a paddle along the waterway (except Karen and Kieran, who almost got hypothermia and swam). I was offered money to buy the kayak by hikers up the far end of the water channel on the circuit that needed to swim across :).

After a very relaxing time at the gorge we continued on to the Ochre Pits. These pits are still used to source ochre for traditional aboriginal ceremonies.

Tonight we are camped up at Ellery Creek for a couple of nights. More gorges to explore tomorrow.