An arid zone is defined as one in which the average annual rainfall is less than 250mm (10 inches). Australia is cited as the "the driest inhabited continent in the world; 70% of it is either arid or semi arid land." There is a story about a local who was trying to explain to a Japanese visitor that Australia is like one big golf course - 30% green and 70% sand bunker!!

Those who live in an arid Zone will understand the pleasure of seeing green grass and water in a usually dry landscape. One such place is Ellory Creek Big Hole, a permanent natural water hole located in the usually dry Ellory Creek in the West MacDonnell National Park about 80km (50 miles) West of Alice Springs in Central Australia. Carved out over thousands of years of flooding, the gorge in which the water hole is located is a popular picnic spot and swimming hole for locals and visitors. The tall rocky cliffs of the gorge provide permanently shaded areas which are usually several degrees cooler than the exposed surrounds. The water is icy cold and very deep and sadly a few people have drowned, some whose bodies have never been found.

I captured the attached images in October 2020 when I took some interstate visitors to view some of the local scenery. Fujifilm XT3, 16-55mm f/2.8 lens.