May 6 Simpsons Gap-Tyunpe
The mountains followed us out west along Larapinta Drive where they hunkered down silent and magnificent in all colours of ochre and pale what we once have called Nil green. Glorious. We were driving Larapinta Drive alongside part of the West MacDonnell Ranges, Tjoritja; the Aranda are the traditional owners of this region. The mountains are overwhelming and a humbling reminder of the huge natural forces that shaped this region over the millennia; they are quite awe-inspiring. I think I’m starting to repeat myself but you’ll get the idea that I love this whole area!
It can be a harsh-looking environment, but in the gorges, river beds and waterholes much is to be found: Simpsons Gap is one such lovely, tranquil gorge.
Gaps such as these were likely as a result of water but I’m not entirely convinced. Stories abound about Simpsons Gap, but for the traditional people it, Tyunpe - place of lizards, was created from Dragon man and the Perentie people. The name Simpson honours the Simpson family (yes the same one of appliance fame) who were great philanthropists of early exploration and ventures. The water that flows through here after good rains is Roe Creek, I think.
This Gap (there are many variously named along the length of the Ranges) is home to about 20 gorgeous little Black-footed Rock-Wallabies. They blend almost seamlessly into the rocky background but I managed to spot two. Unfortunately I was too far away to photograph them.
It was a gentle lovely quiet place as fortunately for us there weren’t too many people there.
This humongous River Red Gum requires no words! As you can imagine, I was scouring the rocky walls down to the water course for plants and lo and behold ...... I found more than I imagined possible spilling up from the water to high on the rocky slopes.
I spotted 2-3 species of Mulla Mulla, yellow and purple daisies, pretty Lantern Bush, Hops bushes and many many more lovelies including grasses which continue to elude my camera and identification. These are just two plants of the many I saw: Rock Fig (Ficus brachypoda) and Spearwood AKA Inland Wonga vine (Pandora Pandorana) which I first identified in Gippsland last year. It only occurs in patches in central Australia.