Sunday 24th August 2014 – El Questro – ELQ fine sunny clear skies

As beautiful as El Questro is, it is not peaceful. We had live music till late (probably because it was Saturday) and to start today, a large flock of Corella came in at pre-dawn. The 6am plane has just taken off very low, very noisy over the campsite.  Ah yes, the camp site is at the end of the runway. I don’t remember requesting a early wake up call at reception.

 

This morning we headed off early for a dip at Zebedee Spring in the thermal pools. We expected it to be crowded because the camp ground was full.  We got there at 6.40am and passed the ranger on the track.  He had opened the gates which officially open at 7am.  Someone else had parked outside the gates and did a long walk in, so we were second there. This was the positive side to having been woken early.  The pools are crystal clear 28c – 30c – just lovely.  Clean warm water with pink sand on the bottom.  I want one of these in our yard :)

 

 

 

 

We then drove down to Jackaroo’s waterhole for a cup of coffee.  The waterhole was deep and clear.  It looked really good for a swim, but it isn’t listed  as safe swimming.  There were a couple of picnic tables on the high bank above the waterhole in the shade.  It was one of the nicest spots for morning tea or lunch on the drives.

 

 

 

Next was El Questro Gorge, which requires going through a couple of deep water crossings.

 

There were plenty of wasp nests on the gorge walls.  They were very around dinner plate size.

 

We also saw plenty of these butterflies which would go and rest on the gorge walls as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were lots of small fish in the clear pools which accounts for the Azure Kingfisher that I saw on the track. Our next stop was Moonshine Gorge, but we didn’t do the long walk in.

Nearing lunch time, we decided to take the steep track up to Saddleback Ridge.  It is very popular at sunset, but is a steep and narrow track, so our lunch time visit would avoid the traffic jam.

 

 That’s the track zig zagging up one part of the climb.

 

 

 

 

 

On top of the first saddle       At the lookout showing the road back                              to the first saddle.

Back to camp for some R & R.