#simpsons gap

By Russell Charters

Rest in peace, Albert Namatjira.  The most famous Aborigine of his generation, Namatjira helped popularize Aboriginal art at a time when Aboriginal children were still being taken from their families to be raised by white missionaries and all Aborigines were considered wards of the State.  Namatjira and his wife, in fact, were the first Aborigines to be granted the right to vote, to be given limited land ownership rights, and to be allowed to buy alcohol (a condition that eventually led to his being implicated in the murder of an Aboriginal woman, since her killer had been drunk on rum he’d stolen from Namatjira’s truck).  Namatjira died on this date in 1959 at the age of 57 (some say from having the bone pointed at him by the family of the murdered woman, though medically from heart disease).

Stamp details: Stamp on top: Issued on: November 6, 1968 From: Canberra, Australia MC #412

Middle stamps: Issued on: January 14, 1993 From: Canberra, Australia MC #1329-1330

The mountains followed us out west along Larapinta Drive where they hunkered down silent and magnificent in all colours of ochre and pale what we once have called Nil green. Glorious. We were driving Larapinta Drive alongside part of the West MacDonnell Ranges, Tjoritja; the Aranda are the traditional owners of this region. The mountains are overwhelming and a humbling reminder of the huge natural forces that shaped this region over the millennia; they are quite awe-inspiring. I think I’m starting to repeat myself but you’ll get the idea that I love this whole area!

It can be a harsh-looking environment, but in the gorges, river beds and waterholes much is to be found: Simpsons Gap is one such lovely, tranquil gorge.

Gaps such as these were likely as a result of water but I’m not entirely convinced. Stories abound about Simpsons Gap, but for the traditional people it, Tyunpe - place of lizards, was created from Dragon man and the Perentie people. The name Simpson honours the Simpson family (yes the same one of appliance fame) who were great philanthropists of early exploration and ventures. The water that flows through here after good rains is Roe Creek, I think.

This Gap (there are many variously named along the length of the Ranges) is home to about 20 gorgeous little Black-footed Rock-Wallabies. They blend almost seamlessly into the rocky background but I managed to spot two. Unfortunately I was too far away to photograph them.

It was a gentle lovely quiet place as fortunately for us there weren’t too many people there.

This humongous River Red Gum requires no words! As you can imagine, I was scouring the rocky walls down to the water course for plants and lo and behold ...... I found more than I imagined possible spilling up from the water to high on the rocky slopes.

Perenti Goanna at Simpson's Gap in Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory, Australia.

Simpson’s Gap

One of the famous sights along the West MacDonnell Ranges is Simpsons Gap. This is probably the closest place to get to from Alice Springs being only half an hours drive away. Water flows through a small gap in the ranges here creating a permanent waterhole for many birds and wildlife. It is also an important spritiual home to the local Arrarnta Aboriginal people, where several dreaming trails…