Last Week we had 6 days off, for various reasons. So we decided to make the most of it and see a few sights in the area. We had planned 2 nights camping in Palm Valley, Finke Gorge National Park and then 2 nights in Owen Springs Reserve.
We set out on Wednesday morning and drove out to Finke Gorge NP. It is about 140kms from Alice and the turn off is near the town of Hermannsburg which is a closed aboriginal community. You can go to the petrol station and shop in town as well as some historical missionary buildings. We had a look, it was very desolate and closed looking.
We started our first big 4wd trek in the pathfinder. We let some air out of the tyres as there can be a fair bit of sand driving through the dry bed of the Finke river. The drive to palm valley is great. There are high, red, rock cliffs, sandy river beds, water holes, palms, cycads and blue skies every where you look.
Our trip to Palm valley was cut short however. Our old friend Yasi, Cyclone Yasi had decided to cross QLD and travel across our path. The Finke River is the largest inland river in Australia and when it rains it can go berserk and is about 100m wide and stays high for 1-2 weeks.
So we were just about to set up our tent, watching some grey clouds, when the ranger came into the camp site. We had been joking about being washed away or stuck in the park. The ranger informed us that a massive series of storms was on its way and that rain was already falling in the upper catchment area. He said we could stay but had to be prepared to be in the park for 1-2 weeks as we might not be able to get out again.
We drove home, the river was already rising and there was a lot of water and mud on the road.
We spent a night in Alice and left for Uluru the next day.
You can click on any of the photos and get a larger version. The panoramas particularly benefit.
The start of the track to palm valley. letting some air out of the tyres, very hard core.
Mistletoe (Australian). On a little bush beside our car, very cute. A parasitic plant.
Green Can. The most commonly occurring litter to be found in the NT. A staple of many diets.
Paddy Melons. I can comfortably say that they have an offensive taste. Try one.
The severe 4wd route only took us about 1hr30min and we went slowly.
Just another boring vista in the nat park.
Collecting firewood that would never be burnt. You are advised and allowed to collect wood before entering the Nat Park.
Corinne, contemplating her fame.
A sign that is self explanatory.
This panorama is near the amphitheatre.
The clouds and Palm creek, behind our proposed camp site
Corinne and her car
This is sort of a panorama, again of some dark Yasi inspired clouds over Palm creek.
The panoramas are great. Awesome scenery.
ReplyDelete