About the same size as the West MacDonnells, the East MacDonnells (or East Macs) stretch 150-200km east of Alice Springs. Compared to the West Macs, they have more rock art but less permanent water. From Alice Springs, the Ross Highway heads east along the range.
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About 10km from Alice Springs, Emily Gap is a sacred site associated with the Yeperenye (caterpillar) dreaming. On the rocks, red-ochre and white-lime paintings depict the caterpillars significant to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people. They ask that people do not photograph the artwork. Instead I photographed the many butterflies there – perhaps they are related to the Yeperenye, an echo of the ancient creation story in the present?
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Lesser Wanderer butterflies at Emily Gap
Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve is 42km east of Alice Springs along a sealed road.
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Corroboree Rock
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Landscape around Corroboree Rock
Continuing along Ross Highway, past the road on the left to the 4WD-only campsite and swimming spot, John Hayes Rockhole, there is a road on the right that leads to a gigantic Ghost Gum. At 33 metres tall, it is reputed to be the largest in Australia. It is about 300 years old.
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Largest Ghost Gum in Australia
Trephina Gorge Nature Park with its shady campsites – not crowded.
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Sunset viewed from the Trephina Bluff campground in Trephine Gorge Nature Park
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Early morning in Trephina Gorge