March 26, 2018 - Reading time: 2 minutes

We made good time after picking up the trailer and drove the 120kms to two mile camp on the Finke River – this is a free camp and it appears that we have the place virtually to ourselves. It is in the river bed but we are some forty metres from the water and there has been no rain in the district for the last month, so we should be very safe. The camp is just about opposite Glen Helen Gorge resort and we drove over for a quick explore and had a Coopers! The sunset was magnificent and the night stars are just beginning to shine brightly as the moon wanes for the night.

Awaking, Friday morning we visited Ormiston Gorge, which was also a camping option! This park has a wonderful walk up to River Gum lookout and then you can continue on a six kms walk. We made it to the lookout and decided to head back to the gorge for a swim. The pool is approximately 14 metres deep in places, has never dried up and is also part of the Finke River system ( which by the way is arguably the worlds oldest river system). The water was dark but cool and gave views of the escarpment that we had just climbed.

In the afternoon we again visited Glen Helen but this time walked into the gorge and had a swim. The water here was quite extensive and apparently was a safe haven for indigenous people in long droughts. Once again we visited the bar and had a Coopers and picked up a few bargains before transfer of ownership on Monday!

Ormiston gorge This rivergum sits overlooking the gorge - simply majestic