Ormiston Gorge - Tjoritja/West Macdonnell National Park

25 – 28 August 2017

Our next stop was Ormiston Gorge. From the main road it is bitumen all the way to the visitor centre and campground. That, and the addition of a kiosk and easy access to the gorge and waterhole, make this a very popular spot, especially on weekends. We took the advice of reviewers and arrived early. 

There are 20 camp spots in the dusty and tight packed campground and we were lucky to get one on the end of a row, with some afternoon shade. The sites vary in size and some are quite short while others are on a slight slope. The facilities at Ormiston Gorge include hot showers and flushing toilets as well as a new, yet to be completed, barbecue area. The kiosk sells drinks and snacks as well as lunches. If you don't like crowds it would be best to avoid Ormiston Gorge on weekends in high season.

Grey Shrike-thrush in the camp ground.

Spinifex Pigeons are common around the camp ground.

There is just a short walk to the gorge and waterhole along a paved pathway. While on our way we stopped to chat to a local (Alice Springs) bird guide who suggested a couple of likely spots. We took his advice and walked further along the creek to some smaller waterholes where birds come in to drink. There is also the longer and harder Ormiston Pound Walk, which we were assured was worth it for those keen enough to attempt the 3 - 4 hour trek.

Early morning in the gorge.

Ormiston Gorge

Guide, Mark Carter told me where to look for a Spinifexbird. I found the bird (a new tick) but could not get a decent shot.

Wildflowers near the Spinifexbird site.

A very popular walk is the Ghost Gum Loop. This walk takes about an hour and involves multiple well-made stairs (with handrail) up to a lone ghost gum, with a magnificent viewing platform. From there you can return via the stairs or continue on along the ridge and finally down into the creek bed for the return to the starting point. This walk is a Grade 3 but we didn’t find it as difficult as some. There were lots of rocks to climb over, but they weren’t as difficult as the ones at Redbank Gorge.

The steep climb to Ghost Gum lookout is worth it for the view.

The spectacular view from the Ghost Gum lookout.

Male Painted Finch.

Painted finches come down from the spinifex covered ridges to drink at rock pools in the gorge.

Little Woodswallows were about at the top of the loop.

We came across two groups of Dusky Grasswrens on the Ghost Gum Loop. They weren't shy at all.

A black-footed Rock Wallaby catching some sun.

We enjoyed three nights at Ormiston Gorge, visiting the waterholes each day, and taking lots of bird photos. Our next stop was again only a short distance - Ellery Creek Big Hole.