Palm Valley is an amazing outback oasis located 120 km west of Alice Springs.
It’s part of Finke Gorge National Park – and if you’re heading to Red Centre, then it’s one of those ‘must-see’ places.
Palm Valley is a famous for its groves of Red Cabbage Palms – unique to this part of the world- along with stunning gorges and cliffs. These Palms have drawn people from all over the world both as tourists and scientists to see them.
Walking amongst them, it’s hard to believe that you’re actually in Central Australia. The tall, slender palm trunks extend up to 15 metres in the air, and are topped by a mop of cool, shiny fronds. The earth around the palms is often wet, fed by a permanent spring.
Running right through Palm Valley is the Finke River, which is supposedly the oldest river in the world (this is a misnomer: it’s the oldest river in the world that’s continually followed the same course!).
Because there’s a permanent water supply here, Palm Valley really is an oasis in the outback. There are over 400 species of plants in Finke Gorge National Park. About 30 these classed as rare, or like the Red Cabbage Palms, are found nowhere else.
Aboriginal people from the Western Aranda language group have also lived in the area for several thousand years. They call the valley Pmolankinya and the landscape is full of the tracks of Dreaming ancestors and sacred sites.
There is a great campground at Palm Valley, complete with showers, toilets and free gas BBQs. Booking isn’t necessary, and its costs only $6 per night (p.p) to stay there.
There are a number of walks in and around the valley, so an overnight trip is recommended. As well, it’s a great place for photography and birdwatching.
How to Visit:
The Park is about 140 km west of Alice Springs, and takes about 2 hours to drive there. You will definitely need a 4WD!
If you’re leaving from Alice Springs, follow Larapinta Drive for 120 km to Hermannsburg. At Hermannsburg, cross the Finke River and turn left as soon as you come up out of causeway.
It’s 20km from the turnoff into the valley itself. For most of the way, the track is actually in the bed of the Finke River.
The last 16 km of this track is quite rough. For this reason, you absolutely have to have a 4WD. After rain, the road is impassable and the Park can be closed.
If you don’t have access to a 4WD, then there are a number of tours which run out of Alice Springs that go to Palm Valley. Try Palm Valley Tours here if you’d like to take a tour.
Further information: call Finke Gorge National Park (08) 8956 7401.
Camel Tracks 