Simpsons Gap (7 July 2011)

Simpsons Gap is a break in one of the ranges about 15km west of Alice Springs. I am not sure for how much of
the year there is water in the billabong, but there was quite a bit here in July, although the river wasn't actually flowing.
We were there on a winter's afternoon and the sunlight on the rocks was dramatic (though hard to photograph).

One of the mountain ranges near Standley Chasm.

The MacDonnell Range (a caterpillar in Aboriginal legend).

Simpsons Gap from the river bed on the way in.

Sunlit eastern wall of Simpsons Gap, with the gap itself at the very left.

Simpsons Gap.

Closer view of Simpsons Gap, with billabong.

Dramatic rocky pillar near Simpsons Gap, lit by the afternoon sun.

Moon above the ridge at Simpsons Gap.

Another view of the rock outcrop.

Trees growing in the riverbed near Simpsons Gap.

Click here for photos of Standley Chasm.

Photos taken by Helen Chick.