Category Archives: mountains

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.

Point & Shoot NZ

coastal, forest, lakes, landscape, Landscape, mountains, New Zealand, Queenstown, river/creeks, seascape, South Island, Southern Alps, The Catlins

Some images from the Point and Shoot camera from all over the South Island of New Zealand, particular places off the tourist routes.

One last hurrah – farewell New Zealand

Landscape, mountains, New Zealand, Queenstown, South Island, Southern Alps, Uncategorised

The Doc is now back home, but New Zealand put on last show before he left.

While travelling from Lake Wanaka to Queenstown along the Cardrona Valley Highway you climb into the Crown Range. As he climbed out of Cardrona Township The Doc could see snow, then more snow and it became apparent there had been a heavy fall overnight. So when The Doc reached the summit fresh snow was everywhere, but luckily not over the road. Enjoy:

Southern Alps – glaciers the masters of erosion

Lake Tekapo, lakes, Landscape, mountains, New Zealand, river/creeks, South Island, Southern Alps

A few photos from one of The Doc’s flights over the Southern Alps near Mount Cook. Pictures include looking at the glacial lakes at the foot of glaciers, the moraine (gravel) left by the eroding effect of the glacier as it grinds over the rock, the shallow braided rivers as the water twists and turns through the gravel. Glaciers, the masters of erosion. Enjoy.

Wow, just wow, what a day

lakes, Landscape, mountains, river/creeks

Photo opportunities have been scare the last few days, but today at Aoraki/Mt Cook things took a turn for the better.

Yesterday The Doc drove over 600 kilometres from Waikoura (East Coast) through Lewis Pass to Greymouth (West Coast) and then back through Arthur’s Pass to the the East Coast and got 8 photos, most ordinary. About a third of the way through Lewis Pass, the rain started and the clouds hid most of the mountains and valleys. On the way back most of Arthur’s Pass was rained in as well.

Another lesson learned, the Trans Alpine Train has much better views and scenery through Arthur’s Pass, than the road does.

The Doc spent the night at Rakaia River. The next morning The Doc drove for about an hour in the rain. As he came around the side of the Southern Alps it was beautiful sunny weather, the Alps were blocking the cloud from getting to Lake Tekapo. On spec The Doc popped into Lake Tekapo Airport to see if an Air Safari flight was planned. The Doc was soon on the flight (also taken as part of the photo tour). The winds meant the plane flew in the opposite direction and The Doc got some great photos, as the light was better than the first time.

He then visited Mt John Observatory overlooking Lake Tekapo Township and then drove off to Lake Pukaki (near Tziwel) and then down to the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park for more stunning scenery. He are some photos from his point and shoot camera (mostly). Wow what a day!

Kenepuru Sound

coastal, forest, Landscape, landscape, mountains, ocean

Kenepuru Sound is part of the Marlborough Sounds on the northern end of the South Island.

Today started out miserable and overcast, but by noon the clouds were clearing and the scenery on the improve. This is The Doc’s last day based at Picton.

The Doc has been told a sound is different from a fiord. Sounds being eroded by rivers and then melting ice raises the sea level and floods the sound. A fiord in contrast is eroded by a glacier. As a general rule fiords are much deeper than sounds.

Yesterday he did the mail boat through the Marlborough Sounds, pictures for another day. Today you get a few explorer photos of Kenepuru Sound. Enjoy.