Category Archives: sunset

Arkaroola, Northern Flinders Ranges, SA

Arkaroola, Australia, desert, Flinders Ranges, Landscape, landscape, mammals, marsupials, mountains, nightime, SA, sunset, Wildlife

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

Ark

Arkaroola is in the northern Flinders Ranges. Millions of years ago a large rift valley was formed. After the rocks were laid down, huge forces beneath the surface pushed the layers up, hundreds of metres into the air. The layers of rock are now visible, often at steep angles and sometimes vertically. It is a unique geological location having sedimentary, metaphoric and volcanic rocks in the one location.

Arkaroola’s unique geological features were recognised by Sir Douglas Mawson, the famous Australian Antarctic explorer. He urged Reg Sprigg to get the pastoral lease of Arkaroola if possible. Reg and his wife Griselda were able to take over the lease in the 1960’s. Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is now run by their children Marg and Doug Sprigg. Those names may sound familiar to some readers, as this family did the first motorised crossing of the Simpson Desert in G60 Patrol.

The best parts of Arkaroola are seen on the world famous Ridgetop Tour whose highlight is the spectacular Sillars Lookout. Surprisingly, many visitors don’t go on the Tour. The tracks at Arkaroola were originally built by mining companies exploring Arkaroola.

There are several old copper mines and smelters around the property including Wheal Turner and Bolla Bollana being examples. The Doc also explored properties nearby Arkaroola and visited the Needles, the Yudnamuntana Historic Site (old copper smelter) and Mt Freeling Station.

There is less bird life at Arkaroola than the Gammon Ranges National Park 30 km to the south. But Arkaroola has a healthy population of Yellow-footed Wallabies, arguably Australia’s most beautiful macropod. The Doc managed to get a few shots.

The tracks constructed by the mining companies allow you to drive in many places across the property. He is a selection of photos from a couple of those drives including Titllite Gorge, Mt Jacobs Track and Stubbs Waterhole.

The Doc also took to the air in a helicopter over Arkaroola and Freeling Heights.

A separate Report on the textures of Arkaroola can be viewed here.

A beautiful place to visit but only part of the broader Flinders Ranges.

Nugget Point Lighthouse, The Catlins, New Zealand

coastal, Landscape, New Zealand, seascape, South Island, sunset, The Catlins

The view down towards Nugget Point Lighthouse, most of The Nuggets are hidden from this side (one is partially visible to the right of the Lighthouse). Click on photo to see the correct size.

New Zealand Pentax - 0212_v1

Katherine to Kununurra – The Kimberley

Australia, bark, desert, Kimberley, lakes, Landscape, landscape, plains, river/creeks, sunrise, sunset, Textures, WA, WA

The Doc is now writing up the more detailed reports of his recent Kimberley trip. Sydney to Katherine is already posted, click here.

Today we drive from Katherine to Kununurra, click here.

Here is a map of the whole trip, 27,000 kilometres in total by road, plus about another 1,500km by air.

KimberlyWholeTrip

AWC Sanctuaries

Australia, AWC, Landscape, mammals, marsupials, reptiles, sunset, Wildlife

The Doc has managed to visit quite a few AWC sanctuaries now, including:

If you would like to know more about the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and the great work they do, visit here.

Sir John Gorge – Mornington

Australia, AWC, Kimberley, sunset, Uncategorised, WA

Some more Mornington Magic. A sunset shot at Sir John Gorge, at AWC’s Mornington-Marion Downs.

AWC also announced today an historic deal with NSW Parks and Wildlife to bring back long extinct animals into NSW National Parks. Press Release here.

Kimberley Mornington Pentax 2015 - 0001_stitch

 

Mutawintji recon finished

Australia, AWC, desert, Mutawintji NP, NSW, sunset

Wet weather in Dubbo meant The Doc headed to Broken Hill via Gundabooka and Paroo-Darling National Parks. Hopefully he can do the Zoo on the return journey.

The Doc spent yesterday morning looking around the sculptures in the desert and few other places at Broken Hill, the silver city. After lunch, The Doc drove out to Mutawintji National Park and stayed the night. The Doc did some recon to see how much time was needed to properly explore the Park, perhaps a week to 10 days. He did some exploration and then drove back into Broken Hill.

Now downloading, sorting, indexing and backing up photos. Also writing a blog update.

Off to AWC’s Scotia Sanctuary and a 3 day event in the morning.

This photo was taken in Mutawintji NP, can anyone guess what is it?

NSW Trip Mutawinjti May 2014 RAW - 0085

Sunset near the Little Topar Roadhouse on the Barrier Highway on the way into Broken Hill.

NSW Trip Paroo-Darling May 2014 RAW - 0092

Back on the road

Australia, AWC, desert, marsupials, NSW, SA, sand dunes, sunrise, sunset, WA, Wildlife

The next road trip starts tomorrow. Sorry I could not finish the Kangaroo Island reports. At least 2 maybe 3 more reports to come.

Next stop the Central Coast, then the Warrumbungles, then across to Broken Hill, via Dubbo and the Western Plains Zoo. Then down to AWC’s Scotia Sanctuary in Outback NSW.

Back to Broken Hill and then a 2 week Simpson Desert crossing finishing at White Cliffs.

Then to Sydney by some long route, then on a plane to Broome. Next stop AWC’s Mornington Sanctuary in the Central Kimberly’s. Back to Sydney then out to Deniliquin for some bird photography. A bit over 2 months in total.

Track me in near real time here.

Part 2(c) – The South Coast of Kangaroo Island

Australia, coastal, Kangaroo Island, landscape, ocean, river/creeks, SA, sand dunes, seascape, sunrise, sunset

Another huge update on Kangaroo Island. This time the South Coast covering places like D’Estrees Bay, Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park, Seal Bay, Vivonne Bay, Hanson Bay, Kelly Hill Caves and Flinders Chase National Park. Report here.