1.7.18 - Finke Riverside bush camp to Rainbow Valley

Another top campsite. Listened to a pack of dingoes howling to each other or maybe the moon. An eerie sound like you can’t describe. 

Stars were out, as was the moon as it eventually rose from behind the rock wall in front of us. 

Good sleeps all around after leftovers for tea and bacon and eggs for breakfast (for some at least) 

Cool morning, Col (sitting) and Greg standing breath clear in the cold air. 

Breaky of Bacon and eggs in a tortilla boat with tomato sauce. 

Stef whipping up their bacon and eggs. 

Fit for royalty

Our campsite, packed up and cleaner than when we arrived

The view. 

Some morning reflections 

Cruised along during the day. Changing tracks - sand, rock, river bed crossings, clay pans, brush and trees. Out of Finke Gorge NP into Tempe Downs cattle station I think. 

The track was rarely flat. Mary and Phil atop a drop.

Going...

Going...

Gone. 

Crossing the clay pan. 

Drove onto Henbury Meteorite Craters for a look. 

How the landscape is created.

Walking across to view the craters

Looking into a crater. 

The rest of the gang ahead on the left. 

And again 

Looking into the water crater. 

Amazing the things you learn. 

View along the way. 

Stopped at Stuart Wells for a wee break. Had to ask for a key.
Here’s what we got. They’ve obviously lost a few keys. 

Mary with key in the door doing its job.

Entering Rainbow Valley Conservation Park 

Our home for the night. 

Views of this magnificent rock formation from sand
dunes located just behind our campsite

We got in early enough to have the pick of the camps, Col and Greg unpacked some gear and went out to get some firewood. 

Our view 

Panorama

Mary and I headed up the hill early. It had started to turn
cold early.  Here we are dressed ready to
capture sunset and moonrise.

Sunset bruising behind the rock -
which I've learnt (thanks Google) is called Mushroom Rock.

Here we are both with glasses ready to get serious

Sun setting.

 Our best shots are in the camera not the iPhone. 

Can you see the profile of a face on the right of the gap?

 We were stunned, as we stood there trying to capture star trails, that there were fireworks. I was lucky enough to capture some, while shutter was open taking the stars and night sky. 

We couldn't believe it. 

and there were a lot of big fireworks too. It was not just a few. 

 

Then the moon was rising. It's amazing how slow it comes up when
standing waiting in the cold. 

and before you know it, it sneaks over.
The Brighter lights in the sky are planets.
There were 5 different planets visible. 

Sitting on top of Mushroom Rock.

and then she's up and floating above. 

Beautiful moon. 

In the moonlight.