Trip Report – Arltunga, Hale River Homestead, Ruby Gap 16/17 June 2018 By: Paul Svensen

29 Jul 2018 by Bernhard Kuepper

A total of 3 vehicles met at Heavitree Gap Service Station at 09:00 on the 16th for a pleasant drive out to Arltunga.
Arltunga
On arrival at the visitors centre we took the opportunity to view the historical displays before heading to view the many ruins it the historical reserve. We utilised the picnic grounds across from the old Arltunga Police Station to have our lunch before heading on to Hale River Homestead to spend the night.
Hale River Homestead
Arriving around 14:00 at the homestead we partook of some refreshments at the bar before checking into our accommodation.
At 17:00 we all went up to the station lookout to take in the sunset before returning to the homestead for dinner.
Dinner was served by the homestead staff and consisted of a burger bar with all the trimmings. Following dinner we adjourned to our individual accommodations.
At 08:00 on the 17th we gathered at the homestead for breakfast before heading off to Ruby Gap. The ladies who were traveling in one car together decided that they were not going to attempt the Ruby Gap track due to health concerns and left the trip to return to Alice. That left two original cars to depart for Ruby Gap, we met Leo with his Jeep at the turn off to Ruby Gap from the Binn’s Track.
Ruby Gap
The journey out to Ruby Gap was pretty uneventful, we stopped a few times to take photos of signage that will need to be repaired or replaced.
Upon reaching Ruby Gap we had our lunch before Bernhard and Leo decided to try and get further up into the gorge. Bernhard was able to make it but unfortunately Leo became stranded on a rock ledge which he was able to extricate himself from by use of his winch. Unfortunately he became stuck shortly after on another rocky outcrop and after much work we were able to get him free by using MaxTrax to build a bridge and gain traction to the wheels.
We left Ruby Gap at 15:30 to return to Alice, arriving at the Heavitree Gap Service Station at approximately 17:30 where the trip officially ended.



Location

Hale River Station NT

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