Ormiston Pound is 135km west of Alice Springs, in the West MacDonnell Ranges. This day walk has everything, from shaded gorges with red rock cliffs looming on either side, to the incredible pound itself, with its lunar-esque landscape. There’s also rocky sections that house a surprising amount of native fauna, and some fantastic high viewpoints. We’d recommend walking this loop in an anti-clockwise direction, starting at the car park area. That way, the loop will build up to the awesome finish of walking (or wading/swimming) through Ormiston Gorge itself.
The land is the big attraction; as you make your way around the circuit you move through different geological zones (limestone, quartzite, granite) and the resultant vegetation (or lack of) is unique to each section. The views at the high ridge just before you drop into the pound give you some sense of scale to the area, and entering Ormiston Gorge itself – after the flat walk across the pound floor – is like entering another world. Here, ghost gums cling precariously to the red cliff walls, the waterholes are like mirrors and, if you’re lucky, you may even spot a dingo or wallaby drinking from these. If it is warm enough, you can go for a dip in the deep waterhole back near the start of the walk. If you’ve only got one day to experience the Red Centre on foot, this is the place to do it.
Lamington National Park, QLD
Lamington National Park in Queensland’s south-east is a rainforest oasis not far from the glitzy hubbub of the Gold Coast. In just a two-hour drive from Brisbane you can be immersed in one of the state’s most significant parks, which forms part of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest area. More than 150km of walking tracks take you through lush rainforests and myriad (more than 500) waterfalls and up to the plateaus that are the northern remnants of an ancient volcano, of which Mt Warning was the plug. At just over 20,000ha, the park has a big choice of day walks, from both the Binna Burra and the Green Mountain (O’Reilly’s) sections. The 12km Daves Creek Circuit will give you a good taste of what the park has to offer. From the Binna Burra campground, the relatively flat track takes you down into the Kurraragin Valley and passes through a variety of vegetation, from subtropical to warm temperate and wet sclerophyll forest, as well as cliff -top views looking out to the Numinbah Valley. Look out for lyrebirds, lizards, pythons, antechinus and the famous blue crayfish. Be prepared for the odd leech in wet conditions.
Blue Mountains, NSW
Take a two-hour drive west of Sydney and you’re immersed in a day-hiking wonderland. The World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park is an all-year playground, with loads of one-day foot-borne options. How about combining two walks in the one day? Kick off with the 5.4km (around 2-3 hours) National Pass, at Wentworth Falls, then venture west to Blackheath and finish off with the Grand Canyon Track, a 6km journey through sandstone cliff walls and past waterfalls. The National Pass track, starting from Conservation Hut, is cut out of the side of cliffs and provides gob smacking views across the park’s eastern and southern sections. Highlights include the Valley of the Waters which, as the name suggests, contains numerous waterfalls (Empress Falls is a favorite), and the historic Grand Stairway (built by hand more than 100 years ago) that takes you up to viewpoints overlooking Wentworth Falls. Grab a quick lunch then drive to Blackheath, and on to Evans Lookout Road where the Grand Canyon Track car park is (signposted). You’ll soon be away from the sun, dropping down into the shady canyon, and walking through some lush vegetation as you reach the canyon floor and follow pretty Greaves Creek up to Evans Lookout itself. From here, you can follow the road back to your car.
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Author Bio:
Light Solidad is a Software quality assurance analyst who loves to visit remote and exotic places around the world. Have a look at its other journey on Vacation Now’s Blog.
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