NT-Ross River Resort

We stayed here for three nights while we spent day trips to the magnificent East Macdonnell Ranges.
The campsite, with powered and non-powered sites, was in a beautiful position with stunning surrounding cliffs but the amenities and general maintenance of the park is very poor. The electricity is by generator that is sometimes on and sometimes off. The mesh over the eating areas is falling down and torn. The entire camping area is neglected. The reception person wasn’t very welcoming either.
The resort has cabins, a bar, restaurant and a pool.(Hopefully the cabins are better cared for)
It is such a shame because this is in a spectacular area and could be a great park. This is the only park that you can take a caravan into so you don’t have much choice if you want to stay in the East Macdonnells.

Ross River Resort
Ross Hwy
Ph: 08 8956 9711
www.rossriverresort.com.au

NT - Gemtree

Gemtree is situated 69klms on sealed road, off the Stuart Hwy. This turnoff is 68klms north of Alice Springs.
There are large powered and non powered sites as well as a few cabins. Most sites share a fire pit and as the nights were rather cool, sitting by a fire at the end of a tiring day digging for garnets, was very welcoming. All the sites are dirt but there are a few shade trees and some scrub.
One morning we joined a tag-along tour to the gem fields which are about half hours drive away. Mike did most of the digging and we both sifted piles of red dirt and rocks and found 17 garnets big enough to have cut so we were delighted. Mind you, it will probably cost us more to have them cut than the actual gems are worth. But, we had loads of fun and things like this are always a great experience.
They have jewelers on site so that you can have your stones cut and set if you wish.
There is fuel, a few basic grocery items and some take away food. Everybody here was very friendly and they have worked hard making the place interesting. There is a golf course,( no grass or sand though) nature walk, and a man made billabong.

Gemtree Bish Caravan Park
Plenty Hwy,
Ph: 08 8956 9855
email:gemtree@gemtree.com.au

NT - Donner Well

This is a free camp number 31 on the Hema Maps, 95 km north of Alice Springs on the Stuart Hwy.
It is a rest area beside the road with water but no facilities. The area has several tables and chairs and one under cover. We had a fire, a wonderful night an once again met some lovely people.
This was the first time that we had seen the Mulga parrot so I spent lots of time trying to take a photograph.