ECHIDNA CHASM @ MINI PALMS WALK

Left van at 8.00am and visited Echidna Chasm It was a 2km return walk over a creek bed and walking trail. The stones were a little hard on the feet. However the view inside the chasm was spectacular. You think you have arrive at the Chasm, and then you realize that you have to go further. Two ladders and you have arrived. A wonderful site. I thought the pictures I'd seen were good, however no photo I've seen could justify the beauty of Echidna Chasm. We would have to say this is the place to see if you have limited time, or energy in the heat. We then went on to the Mini-Palms Walk. We did this in the middle part of the day which wasn't a great idea. It was very hot, and we had to walk along rocks in the river bed for quite a while. It is a 5km return walk. The first part was okay except for the heat, as you were exposed to reflected sun in the river bed. The last part was quite strenuos as it was up hill. I actually almost gave up as I didn't think I'd could make the last 5minutes. Les went ahead, while I rested. He came back and said it was only a few minutes more, so I did see the Mini-Palms. I was a little disappointed for all my effort. It was a large gorge that you viewed from a viewing platform. The view of the gorge was ok but the mini palms needed a lot of attention. They were very dried out (so was I) due to harshness of the area at this time of the year. Again I think that to see this in the wet would be great. Getting in there would be the problem????
We decided that we would go back to Tukey Creek this afternoon. Arrived back at camp and had some lunch and packed up. Left at 4.00pm. We got to the creek crossing and there was a swiss guy there in a Holden Commodore Station Wagon. He asked if we could wait on the other side and check he got throught okay. Les and I were worried whether the Patrol would make ita safely. After meeting him we just laughed. He did make it throught the creek crossing, however he was a little wetter for the experience. Arrived back at Turkey Creek at 7.30pm. Very tired and a little sore and sunburnt, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience.