Palm Valley

Palm Valley is located 19 km south of Hermannsburg in the Northern Territory's Finke Gorge National Park, which was declared in 1967. Finke Gorge National Park covers an area of 46,000 hectares and includes the spectacular Palm Valley, home to over 400 plant types of which more than 30 are considered rare, including the Red Cabbage Palm (Livistona mariae). There are more than 3000 Red Cabbage Palms in Palm Valley, many of which are several hundred years old and form a lush oasis among the rugged rocks and gorges. The palms are relics from a previous age when Central Australia was much wetter. The nearest similar palms are found on the coast in Western Australia and New South Wales. The cycads found in Palm Valley are also unique to the area. The area's importance was recognised as early as 1923 when some sections were designated flora and fauna protection areas.

Palm Valley and nearby areas have great cultural significance to the indigenous Western Arrernte people, who know it as Pmolankinya. According to a local Dreamtime story, Palm Valley is linked with a disastrous bushfire which occurred to the north during the Dreamtime. Many ancestors were burned during this catastrophe, with the younger men being carried off in flames by strong winds and dropped into Palm Valley where they became palms and cycads. According to Arrernte tradition, the suffering of these fire ancestors is represented by the palms blackened trunks while the palms leaves represent the long hair of the young men.

The first European to see the palm trees was the explorer Ernest Giles, who followed the course of the Finke River in 1872 on his first attempt to reach the Western Australia coast from South Australia. Giles did not inspect the tributary of the Finke that flowed through Palm Valley because of threatening rain and the fear of the Finke's mighty floods, as evidenced by debris tangled high up in the Red River Gums along the river. Palm Valley wasn't discovered by Europeans until the settlement of Hermannsburg in 1877.

Palm Valley has plenty to offer, including bushwalks and remote camping in a spectacular and colourful landscape. The main gorge features high red cliffs, clean white sand, cool waterholes, enormous river gums, and tall palms. The Park is about 140 km west of Alice Springs. Turn south off Larapinta Drive just west of Hermannsburg. The last 16 km of road into Palm Valley follows the sandy bed of the Finke River and is limited to 4WD vehicles only. Heavy rains often make this section of the road impassable.

A 4WD track via Boggy Hole through to the Ernest Giles Road and Watarrka is definitely suitable for experienced 4WD drivers only. Travelling time from Palm Valley to Watarrka National Park is approximately 7 hours. Bush camping is permitted in the Finke River on this route with the best camping (no facilities) at Boggy Hole, a large waterhole about 2.5 hours from Palm Valley. Traffic along this route is very infrequent, so it is advisable to travel with another vehicle particularly in hot weather. Seek advice from rangers at Finke Gorge National Park or Watarrka National Park before attempting this spectacular route.

The most popular walk at Palm Valley is the Arankala Walk, a 1.5 km walk lasting about 1 hour 20 mins return. It is an easy walk following the creek bed, and offers great views of the red cabbage palms, rugged cliffs, bird life and, in season, large waterpools teeming with fish and other aquatic life. There is also the longer Mpulungkinya Walk, 5 km (2 hrs return) walk which meanders among a lush oasis of slender palms.

Palm Valley has a camping site and spending a night and exploring the area thoroughly is the best way of experiencing the Finke Gorge National Park. With prior permission from the Ntaria Council - (08) 8956 7411 - it is also possible to camp at Hermannsburg. The only food available is at the Hermannsburg community store, or the Hermannsburg Tea Rooms which provide light meals and drinks.