Finke Gorge National Park and Palm Valley

Finke Gorge National Park is a 46,000-hectare hidden treasure of cultural and ecological heritage. The Park is particularly noted for its beautiful Palm Valley, the famous home of the rare Central Australian Cabbage Palm from which it takes its name. The isolation of this species of flowering palm in the stunning desert surroundings is a must-see.

Finke Gorge National Park

Finke Gorge National Park is open all year round, except when the access road is closed due to heavy rain. You should check the Northern Territory Government’s road report status before driving to the Park. 

The Park is located 138km west of Alice Springs (approximately 2-hours driving). The park can be reached by taking Larapinta Drive out of Alice Springs, before turning south after passing the community of Hermannsburg.

Access to the park is restricted to high-clearance 4WD vehicles because the final 16km of the access track runs by the silt bed of the Finke River.

The main attractions of the park include the beautiful native wildlife and fauna, walking trails with stunning scenic lookouts, and an array of significant cultural sites. 

Palm Valley

Palm Valley, found within Finke Gorge National Park, is a unique environment of towering terraces of red rock, dry sandy riverbeds, native shrubbery, and of course the lofty tropical palms that gives the valley its name. The valley is also home to a diversity of native wildlife, including dingoes, goannas, kangaroos, snakes, and wallabies. 

The best time to visit is usually in the cooler months between April and September.

Camping in Palm Valley is safe and easy, with many designated sites to use. Camp facilities include showers, toilets, drinking water, gas barbecues, and picnic tables. 

Walking Tracks and Lookouts

1. Kalarranga Walk (2.5km, 45 minutes return) - moderate, family-friendly
2. Mpaara Walk (5km, 2 hours return) - views of the ampitheatre
3. Arankaia Walk (2km, 1 hour)
4. Mpulungkinya Walk (5km, 2 hours return) - longer extension of the Arankaia walk 

Camping

There are campsites at Palm Valley Campground and Boggy Hole.

Campsites are bookable online here, and no longer payable onsite ($4/adult, $2/child).

Facilities:

• Picnic tables & gas barbecues
• Public toilets
• Fire pits (must BYO firewood)
• Drinking water
• Roads suitable for 4WD vehicles
• A ranger station for emergency contact

For a map of the National Park, click here. Use the Avenza Maps App to track your walk on the interactive park map.