Weather looks bad for Sunday, cold, wet & miserable, some attendees recovering from colds, so Sunday 7th July

Trip Leader; Ian Clarke;
0930 hrs; Meet at the Heavitree Servo for a 0945 start.
Trip; Travel to Trephina Gorge, stopping briefly at Corroboree Rock & the Gorge, then heading into the John Hayes Rockhole for lunch, choice of BBQ or cold. (I will have a small BBQ which can handle feeding 4 at a time.) Members can choose to walk up through the Rockhole or relax at the bottom. Following lunch & relaxing, return via Jessie & Emily Gaps for a quick look. We can then finish the trip with a few quiet ales, wines or Pizza at the Brewery.
Trephina Gorge & John Hayes Rockhole are situated 85km east of Alice Springs, the Park is accessible to all vehicles. Access is via the sealed Ross Highway, then a 9km drive into Trephina Gorge, the last 5km on a gravel road.
The John Hayes Rockhole track within the Park is recommended for 4WD vehicles only. Infrequent heavy rains may cause all roads to become impassable.
Trephina Gorge Nature Park lies in the East MacDonnell Ranges, 85 kilometres east of Alice Springs, and is notable for its sheer quartzite cliffs, Red River Gums and sandy creek bed. Trephina Gorge is one of two gorges that intersect the range.
The other, John Hayes Rock Hole, is an impressive structure. The waterholes attract a wide variety of unique native wildlife, including diverse range of bird species. The ‘Valley of the Eagles’ behind it where eagles abound on occassions and Wedge-Tailed Eagles which lend their name to the Valley of the Eagles. Access to the top of the valley wall can be gained by steep climbing of the rock face towards the rear of the valley’ the views are spectacular (see official maps for reference first). Once a part of the Garden Station, the nature park has strong historic links with the early settlement of Central Australia. Access to John Hayes Rockhole is four-wheel drive only and may be subject to periodic closure due to weather conditions.