Finke Gorge

The tour will link up in Alice Springs. After setting off, our first stop for the day will be the impressive Gosse Bluff which scientists believe to be the remnant crater from the impact of a 600m wide comet approximately 150 million years ago.

From the bluff we will head to Palm Valley which is the last remnant of central Australia’s tropical past, being home to several rare plant species that are unique to the area, including the red cabbage palm which gives the area its name. The valley is impressive with its red gorges, desert palm trees, cycads and spring-fed pools.

We will stop at Hermannsburg which was established in 1877 as a Lutheran Mission, and was the birth place and home of Albert Namatjira.

Then it is down the Finke River 4WD track which provides a challenging 4WD experience following a section of the Finke River bed. We will make camp at Boggy Hole which, in spite of its name, is a stunning permanent waterhole offering many scenic camp sites set amongst river red gums, white sand and green grass.

Continuing our drive down the Finke River bed, we will visit another waterhole in Running Waters, see old stockyards, and visit the old gaol and police station ruins at Illamurta Springs, before making our way back to Alice Springs.

The tour will link up in Alice Springs at 9:00am on Day 1, where you will receive a brief on the tour before we set off. Our first stop for the day will be the impressive Gosse Bluff which scientists believe to be the remnant crater from the impact of a 600m wide comet approximately 150 million years ago. You will stand in the centre of the crater where the impact would have released one million times more energy than the Hiroshima atomic bomb. The Aboriginal and scientific interpretation of the Bluff are similar in that both have a celestial origin. From the bluff we will head to Palm Valley which is the last remnant of central Australia’s tropical past, being home to several rare plant species that are unique to the area, including the red cabbage palm which gives the area its name. The valley is impressive with its red gorges, desert palm trees, cycads and spring-fed pools. Palm Valley is not commonly featured in write-ups on the area, perhaps because access requires a raised clearance 4WD—the track following the river bed is relatively short, not technically difficult, but a lot of fun—however it really is a must see. You will have time to do some of several walks on offer in the Palm Valley area, and we will spend the night in the campground by the creek.

We will drive back up the river bed from Palm Valley and take the opportunity for a stop at Hermannsburg which was established in 1877 as a Lutheran Mission. The Hermannsburg Historic Precinct is National Heritage Listed and well worth a visit. Hermannsburg was the birth place and home of Albert Namatjira. His style of watercolour painting continues and is reflected in the designs painted on the local pottery and you can visit the Hermannsburg Potters. You can also take the opportunity for a snack or lunch at the The Kata Anga Tea Rooms. From Hermannsburg we will head down the Finke River 4WD track, which provides a challenging 4WD experience following a section of the Finke River bed. The NT Parks and Wildlife Commission caution the driving is primarily soft sand presenting a high chance of becoming bogged, and that the track is remote and infrequently trafficked. As such, they recommend the track be driven by those with 4WD experience, in pairs or small groups, with appropriate emergency equipment including a personal locator beacon, and that planning and emergency contingencies are essential. This 4x4 Explore tour meets all these recommendations, providing the peace of mind and confidence to traverse this amazing track. We will make camp at Boggy Hole which, in spite of its name, is a stunning permanent waterhole offering many scenic camp sites set amongst river red gums, white sand and green grass. You will have the opportunity to visit the ruins of the police station established by the notorious Mounted Constable William Willshire.

Continuing our drive down the Finke River bed, we will visit another waterhole in Running Waters, see old stockyards, and visit the old gaol and police station ruins at Illamurta Springs, before making our way back out to the Stuart Highway. We will be at our release point in Alice Springs by 5:00pm on Day 3.

If you are located on the other side of the Simpson Desert, consider our Simpson Desert (East to West) tour immediately before this one, or our Madigan Line tour immediately after.

2024:

• Thu 26 - Set 28 September 2024: book by 5 September 2024

2025:

• Sun 30 March - Tue 01 April 2025: book by 14 March 2025

• Thu 25 - Sat 27 September 2025: book by 5 September 2025